A condition in which brown patches appear on the face. Melasma can be due to hormonal changes during pregnancy or from sun exposure. Women are much more likely than men to develop this condition. The brown or grey-brown patches of melasma appear most often on the cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. In women, melasma often fades on its own after pregnancy or after an affected woman stops taking contraceptive pills. Skin lightening creams can help lasting melasma.
