What is melasma?

Melasma is when patches of skin get darker than the rest, usually on your face.

Imagine your skin is like a white piece of paper. Now, think of melasma as if someone spilled ink on parts of it, not all over, just in some areas, making them look like dark spots or patches. These patches often show up on your cheeks, nose, and forehead, and they can be a bit like freckles but bigger and more permanent.

Melasma is caused by melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin its color. When your skin gets exposed to sunlight, especially for long periods, it can trigger extra melanin production in certain spots. It's kind of like when you leave a coloring book outside in the sun, the colors get brighter and more intense.

Sometimes, hormones also play a part, which is why melasma often shows up during or after pregnancy, people call this pregnancy mask. It’s not magic; it's just your body doing its thing!