Affiliation:
1. Department of Dermatology The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing People's Republic of China
2. State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing People's Republic of China
3. School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing People's Republic of China
Abstract
AbstractMelasma is an acquired chronic pigmentary disorder affecting millions of individuals worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of melasma remains unclear. This article provides a comprehensive review of the pathophysiological changes occurring in the skin microenvironment of melasma lesions, which can be summarized as follows: (1) skin barrier dysfunction and abnormal synthesis, transport, and intracellular distribution of melanin in the epidermis; (2) basement membrane damage; (3) solar elastosis, vascular changes, senescent fibroblasts, mast cell infiltration, and sebocyte participation in the dermis; and (4) systemic factors such as sex hormones and oxidative stress. Furthermore, potential therapeutic strategies are introduced to provide novel perspectives for fundamental and clinical research related to melasma.