The role of blood vessels in melasma (chloasma) (pregnancy mask)

The role of blood vessels in melasma (chloasma) (pregnancy mask)

• Melasma (chloasma)(pregnancy mask) is characterized by hyperpigmented macules which also tend to appear in hyperestrogenic hormonal states. On histology, there is an increased deposit of melanin in the epidermis.
• Clinically, melasma lesions are also characterized by redness and telangiectasia. This equates to an increased number of blood vessels when compared to normal perilesional skin.
• Also, the number of vessels positively correlates with the intensity of pigmentation (role of endothelin)

Contributors: Dr Christophe HSU – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland

Bibliography: Kang YK. Clinical Manifestation of Melasma and Vascular Change. Ancillary Meeting on Pigment Cell Research. World Congress of Dermatology (WCD). Seoul, South Korea

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