Visible light photopatch testing of common photocontactants in female filipino adults with and without melasma: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Although consistently associated with sun exposure, melasma is common among sun-shy Filipino women who generally prefer to have lighter skin, use skin lighteners, regularly practice sun avoidance, and are more exposed to indoor lights.

Objective: To determine presence/absence of photocontact dermatitis in melasma/no-melasma patients using photopatch testing (PhPT) with standard photocontactants and an indoor visible light (VL) source.

Design: Cross-sectional study: random population of 40 female patients aged 30-55 years, 20 with and 20 without melasma.