Overview

4.6 out of 5 (33 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

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 Physician CME

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6279 CME activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7486.5 hours of CME.

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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.

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.

 

Physicians and Physician Associates: StatPearls, LLC designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians and PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Board of Internal Medicine: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

American Board of Pathology: Successful completion of this Continuing Certification activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 Lifelong Learning (CME) credits in the American Board of Pathology’s Continuing Certification Program.

American Board of Pediatrics: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.

American Board of Surgery: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirement(s) of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: Through an agreement between the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, medical practitioners participating in the Royal College MOC Program may record completion of accredited activities registered under the ACCME’s “CME in Support of MOC” program in Section 3 of the Royal College’s MOC Program.

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

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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

Nancy C. on 7/24/2026

Leo O. on 7/21/2026

Jeffrey P. on 8/11/2026

Unlimited Physician CME

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6279 CME activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7486.5 hours of CME.

Learn About Lifetime CME

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$49 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$399 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$649 per 1 year per user