Melasma on arm, how to get rid of it?

[UnitaBath]

Over the last few years I appear to have developed a large rectangle-shaped area of melasma on my right arm, I'm quite fair skinned and I think it's from driving as I usually keep out of the sun and I haven't noticed anything like this on any other area of my body.

I don't like it! What can do do to get rid of it? Is it even possible to get rid of it?

Note, my phone has a useless camera so it looks a lot less visible on photo than in RL.

Is it definitely melasma?

If it is - and I speak as someone who has melasma - there isn't a great deal you can do about it other than keep it out of the sun and hope it fades naturally. Mine fades over winter but it never completely goes away. Once you have it, it can fade and then darken again countless times or appear elsewhere. I've got very pale skin.

Are you on hormonal contraception? Pregnancy and hormonal contraception can trigger it or make it worse. I think it was the switching from the combined pill to the mini-pill that triggered mine.

Mine improved a bit when I came off the pill completely, but it has got worse again now I'm approaching menopause, so I think just general hormonal changes can be the culprit.

Sunscreen is a must - the sun can cause melasma even through glass, so as you say, sounds like the location of yours might be from driving.

Some places offer laser treatment that can fade it but it doesn't always work, isn't always permanent, needs to be a very specific light frequency (or something... I'm hazy on the workings of lasers!) and if it's not done right can make it much worse, so if you did look into that you'd want it done by a very reputable dermatologist with proven results.

You can get IPL treatments for your face & décolletage, & I think hands as well, so presumably that would work. I found Skinceuticals vitamin c serum evened my face complexion significantly over a few months so that might be worth trying as a cheaper alternative (wear sunscreen over the vitamin c serum otherwise your skin will burn).

I don't think it's melasma? That's a particular condition that isn't caused by sun as such, though it can be triggered/worsened by it. It's simply a sun-tanned area (or coalescing freckles!), from having your right arm leaning out of the car window?

I have exactly the same on my ankles/lower legs, from being outdoors in midi skirts/dresses. I moved from landscape architecture to garden design specifically several years ago. It was quite faint in the first summer or two, but it's now quite distinct. I think if I'd been on a holiday wearing shorts in the sun, then it would have evened out quite a bit, but I haven't!

Sunblock & a light long-sleeved top, I think? And it should start to fade?