Help! My Dark Spots Are Spreading

“Dark spots were something I never had to worry about until I hit my mid-30s. When the first signs of melasma appeared above my upper lip, it was a shock. My sister, who is four years older, noticed the same darkening around the same time. We had both dodged the infamous “pregnancy mask” during our pregnancies, but now, as we approach pre-menopause, those dark patches seem to have made a delayed yet dramatic entrance. If you’re like me and have come to terms with these spots only to find them spreading, you’re likely wondering: what’s going on?”

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“Effective sun protection is paramount for managing concerns like melasma and hyperpigmentation. Medical aesthetician Amy Peterson advises using sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher, particularly those containing physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. “Physical sunscreens are more effective for managing melasma, because they reflect UV rays and are less likely to irritate the skin,” she explains.”