People with melasma get dark patches on the parts of their skin exposed to the sun. After the patches appear, they do not go away. They can get darker and larger.
The cause is not fully known. Causes can be genetics, hormones, and sunlight. It is most common in premenopausal Latino, African American, Asian, and Native American women. Many people have a family history.
You will have:
Even small doses of sunlight can make patches worse. Read about sunscreen for more facts.
The contents of this website are for information purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not rely on the information provided for medical decision making and should direct all questions regarding medical matters to their physician or other health care provider. Use of this information does not create an express or implied physician-patient relationship.