Overview

4.6 out of 5 (30 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Pharmacology Credits

0.5

Post-Assessment Questions

6

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

31 Jan 2026

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6345 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7569 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$49 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE activities in all specialties.

$379 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE activities in all specialties.

$579 per 1 year per user
 
Need Help?  If you have a system or content concerns, please contact support@statpearls.com

Activity Description

Melasma is a common acquired disorder of hyperpigmentation that presents persistent diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in dermatologic practice. The condition predominantly affects sun-exposed facial areas and appears as symmetric brown-to-gray macules and patches. Pathogenesis is multifactorial, involving ultraviolet and visible light exposure, hormonal influences, genetic susceptibility, and contributions from the vasculature and dermis. Risk factors include female sex, pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, and positive family history. Melasma typically follows a chronic, relapsing course and may be associated with significant psychosocial distress. Diagnosis relies on clinical distribution, Wood lamp examination, and selective histopathologic evaluation to support classification and prognosis. Management emphasizes long-term control through photoprotection, patient education, and individualized treatment strategies rather than relying solely on short-term pigment clearance. Recurrence and treatment-related adverse effects remain common challenges.

This educational activity enhances clinician competence in the comprehensive evaluation and management of melasma. Participants deepen their understanding of etiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation while strengthening their skills in diagnostic assessment and in selecting evidence-based topical, oral, and procedural therapies. Instruction highlights individualized treatment planning, prevention of recurrence, and mitigation of adverse effects through sustained photoprotection and patient counseling. Collaboration with an interprofessional healthcare team, including dermatology nurses, pharmacists, and aesthetic specialists, supports coordinated care, improves therapy adherence, and promotes durable clinical outcomes for individuals with melasma.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Differentiate melasma from other facial hyperpigmentation disorders, including postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, lentigines, and drug-induced pigmentation, using clinical and diagnostic features.

  • Implement evidence-based, personalized strategies for managing melasma and mitigating any possible complications.

  • Improve patient awareness of melasma treatment limitations, recurrence risk, and the necessity of ongoing preventive strategies.

  • Collaborate with the interprofessional team to educate, treat, and monitor patients with melasma to improve overall health outcomes.

  • Outline the pharmacologic therapy as it applies to Melasma

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurse Practitioners: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.00 ANCC contact hour(s), which includes 0.5 hour(s) of pharmacology. NPs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Leslie E. on 2/9/2022

Kim N. on 2/14/2022

Nicole B. on 3/28/2022

Charlene N. on 4/10/2022

katherine w. on 4/14/2022

Dr.Mallikarjun K. on 4/28/2022

Katie K. on 1/26/2023

Christopher M. on 8/3/2023

Complexion P. on 10/24/2023

Maria W. on 11/10/2023

Kristen S. on 3/13/2024

Tracy C. on 4/2/2024

Micaela W. on 4/16/2024

Jerin M. on 5/23/2024

Revathi K. on 5/30/2024

Aneesh M. on 5/31/2024

Audrey F. on 6/3/2024

Keiva S. on 9/5/2024

Surinder S. on 9/15/2024

Nicole D. on 2/11/2025

Janet K. on 2/25/2025

Neeraj H. on 6/29/2025

Michael M. on 7/20/2025

Catalina W. on 8/10/2025

Kamlah Z. on 11/9/2025

Daniel F. on 12/17/2025

Vinod J. on 1/15/2026

Allison B. on 3/7/2026

Rosa R. on 4/20/2026

Jen N. on 6/11/2026

Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6345 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7569 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$49 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE activities in all specialties.

$379 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE activities in all specialties.

$579 per 1 year per user