What does the butterfly-shaped facial rash of systemic lupus erythematosus look like?

In the context of systemic lupus erythematosus, the characteristic facial rash—often referred to as a malar rash—appears as a reddening of the skin, or facial erythema.12

This rash is distinctively shaped like a butterfly, extending across the bridge of the nose and over the cheeks. While this specific presentation is a well-known clinical finding associated with the disease, it is important to note that it occurs in only a minority of adults diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus.2