AskDocDoc
FREE!Ask Doctors — 24/7
Connect with Doctors 24/7. Ask anything, get expert help today.
500 doctors ONLINE
#1 Medical Platform
Ask question for free
00H : 10M : 11S
background image
Click Here
background image
Skin & Hair Concerns
Question #16583
182 days ago
180

mask of sikkim - #16583

Shanaya

I am just trying to figure out what’s going on with me. A few weeks ago, I started noticing a dark patch on my left cheek that seemed to come out of nowhere. At first, I thought it was just a weird tan or something, but it’s been spreading and sometimes has this weird rough texture. My friend kept jokingly referring to it as the "mask of sikkim," but honestly, I started to worry when I looked it up online and saw that it could be something serious. I've tried all kinds of creams and some home remedies, but nothing seems to help. I don't have any other symptoms, but I feel really self-conscious about it. I'm 34 and have always had clear skin until now. Has anyone else experienced this "mask of sikkim" or know what could be causing it? Could it be hormonal changes or something to do with my diet? I was eating pretty healthy, but then got stressed and started binge eating junk food. If it is a condition like that, what can I do to get rid of it? Should I see a dermatologist, or could a regular doc help? Really hoping for some useful insights because I'm getting desperate here trying to hide it!

FREE
Question is closed
FREE! Ask a Doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential.
No sign-up needed.
CTA image asteriksCTA image

Doctors' responses

The pattern you’re describing, a spreading dark patch with occasional rough texture on your cheeks, does sound like it could be melasma, often humorously referred to with terms like “mask of pregnancy,” but not necessarily limited to pregnancy or hormonal changes associated with it. Melasma is a common skin condition characterized by brown or gray-brown patches, often appearing on the face. It’s typically associated with factors such as hormone fluctuations, sun exposure, or genetic predisposition. While stress or dietary changes you’ve mentioned could indirectly affect skin appearance, they aren’t the classic triggers for melasma. Hormonal changes might also play a role, especially if recently you’ve been on birth control pills or there are changes in your menstrual cycle. Sun exposure without adequate protection can often exacerbate melasma, given UV rays increase melanin production. A good first step would be to see a dermatologist; they’re well-equipped to identify whether this is melasma or another skin condition. In the meantime, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen even when indoors might help, as might avoiding known triggers like direct sunlight or heat. Over-the-counter creams that contain hydroquinone, a skin-lightening agent, are sometimes used, but you’ll want professional confirmation first to avoid potential skin irritation or misdiagnosis. While a regular doctor can offer a prelimenary opinion, seeing a dermatologist would provide more precise guidance with optimal treatment options.

20239 answered questions
90% best answers
Accepted response

0 replies
FREE! Ask a Doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymously

Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.

About our doctors

Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.


how much time acne scars take to fade
banana hair mask benefits
Does my hole look ‘normal’ and is there anything wrong with it?
remedy for black spots on face
can aloe vera remove dandruff
best face pack for skin whitening at home
How to get good skin and hair, beautiful looks
how to decrease melanin from body
pimple black marks removal
remove black patches on face
how to get rid of dark circles
black dark spots on skin
neck pigmentation cream
melanin decrease cream
best cream for face pigmentation
kumkumadi oil how to use
What could cause severe itching on foreskin, scrotum, and fingers, and how to treat it?
lemon can remove pimples?
Extreme hairfall and open pores ,black heads on face and also facial hairs
pimple remedy overnight
best acne remove cream
how to clear tiny bumps on face
does curd reduce dandruff
how to hide a pimple
face whitening face pack
medicine for black spots on face
I had few acne on face specific on forehead . Which tend to be recurring
multani mitti benefits for face
biotin source
what does collagen do to skin
dark spot corrector cream
acne on hands
how to use nalpamaradi thailam
what oil to use with gua sha
is rubbing lemon on face good
can we apply aloe vera directly on hair
instant pimple removal
what are the uses of multani mitti
how to reduce darkness of lips
hair botox treatment process
milk ice cubes for face benefits
How to clear skin and frizzfree hair
face cure skin
chemical constituents of aloe vera
how to cure white patches on face
What is a safe sunscreen for oily, acne-prone skin if Cerave is not a good cleanser?
How to clear acne and facial hairs
7 day black skin whitening cream
hyperpigmentation treatment at home
Skin psoriasis on the scalp is curable or not
benefits of ice on face
daily ice cubes for face benefits
how to remove dark spots in face naturally
How long do results from a CO2 Facial Laser for wrinkles and acne scars last after healing?
How to get rid of itchy scalp and dandruff and oily hair
what is dark spot
How to reduce the pimples on face and dandruff on hair
How to get rid of brown spots on face?
how to get rid of body hair naturally
rice water ice cubes for face benefits
lemon for pigmentation
how to remove sunburn from face quickly at home
skin whitening kaise kare
how to cure acne naturally
face skin darkening
can i use ice on my face everyday
acne on face reasons
neem leaves for dandruff
black patches on back
how to remove darkness from lips
best cream for marks on face
remedy for pigmentation
I am loosing eyebrows and eyelashes due to seborrheic dermatiti.
face bleach for men
before and after salicylic acid face wash
tiny bumps on chin
how to get even skin tone for black skin
skin cream for black spots
How to reduce pimples and acne on face
bleach for skin whitening
face spot remover
use of ice cubes on face
dark patch on forehead
can aloe vera cause cancer
scar in face
how to make your skin lighter
pimple remove gel
how to use aloe vera gel on face
face & body whitening cream
acne scar home treatment
how to get rid of pimple marks
what does multani mitti do to your face
how to use bhringraj for hair
home remedy for pigmentation
small black bumps on face
can i use ice cubes on my face daily
How to get cure of Skin Redness at Temporal Region of scalp
joint darkness removal cream
can curd cure dandruff
How to stop itching palm and soles of fungal infection