Loads of Melasma out of nowhere
Family Background:My mother has melasma and has had it since her forties after a later in life fourth pregnancy and differing birth controls. Hers is just like many of the others I see on here and on Google searches. Small brown splotches on cheeks.
I am 32.5 years old and have not been on birth control in about eight years. I have never and will never be pregnant. Several years ago I had tubal ligation. No changes to my stress or hormone levels that I am aware of. I actually this summer began using sunscreen every time I went outside and setting a timer to reapply (this heatwave is a killer in Colorado).
Three weeks ago I woke up and noticed a large (juuuuust smaller than the size of my palm) solid brown patch directly in the middle of my forehead. Partner confirmed he had not noticed it prior. We had recently taken a bunch of photos the weekend before and did not see it in those by tested by taking a photo and could see it in new photo though my phone does auto retouching so it shows up super light. I miraculously got an appointment with a dermatologist next day (thank you cancellations!!) and she confirmed it was melasma and went down all the lists of possible triggers. She decided it must have been the heat.
Fast forward to yesterday (after three weeks of diligent tinted spf every day with zinc) and I took a silly photo to send to my partner and I notice my upper lip is black so I comment "woah shadow moustache" and laugh. But I have a sinking feeling. I go to the bathroom and it's not a shadow. My upper lip is now dark but not in the way I'm seeing most people here posting. It looks like I have black dust from mulch or soil on my upper lip. I have obviously been staring at my face more than normal these past few weeks. This is completely new. What the heck is happening. I feel completely out of control and like this is all a TON to be changing very quickly with just the trigger of heat?
Tldr a third of my face has changed color completely suddenly at this point with no hormonal changes or previous bouts of melasma. Should I get my thyroid checked or can someone reassure me that it does not actually take weeks to happen like Google says 😭