Conditions · FAQ
What is melasma, and what does it look like?
Short answer
Melasma is a skin condition that causes flat brown or gray-brown patches, often on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. It usually appears on both sides of the face. It is not contagious, but a clinician should check new or changing patches rather than assuming they are melasma.
Melasma happens when the skin makes extra pigment, the substance that gives skin its color. It often causes flat, uneven patches on the face. Common areas include the cheeks, forehead, bridge of the nose, and skin above the upper lip. The patches often follow a similar pattern on both sides of the face.
Melasma usually does not hurt, itch, bleed, or change the texture of your skin. Those symptoms may point to another condition. Melasma itself is not skin cancer and cannot spread from person to person. Still, a new spot or a patch that changes needs a medical review.
Sun exposure, visible light, hormones, and family history can all play a role. Melasma is more common in women, especially during pregnancy, but men can develop it too.
A licensed physician in your state can review your symptoms and decide whether online care is appropriate. Some patches need an in-person skin exam before a diagnosis or treatment plan can be made.
Sources
Written by the Verra clinical team · Medical review pending
General information, not medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.