Many people will have never have heard of this condition and will therefore not be aware of just how badly it can affect the person suffering from it.

In the simplest terms this is a condition where the skin, normally the face, comes out in brown patches. The areas on the faces that appear to be affected the most are the cheeks, nose and also the forehead.

Melasma is very common in women and less so in men. People who are dark skinned are prone to getting this condition. But this does not mean that light skinned people are not prone to getting this condition.

It is not fully understood what may cause this skin condition but if there is a family history of it then it can be passed on from generation to generation. Some changes in the level of hormones and exposure to the sun can trigger Melasma.

If you are exposed to the sun, then the UV rays stimulate the cells that are responsible for pigmentation in the skin. As well as the sun, you need to be aware of very strong lights and also sun beds.

There are some drugs that can have negative side effects such as birth control pills. But there are many forms of birth control pills so if one does not suit you, you can always change.

Given that Melasma is easy to notice the diagnosis is very easy to perform and you will just need a skin examination. You may also need to give a sample of your skin for a complete analysis to make sure that it is not something else.

If you do have Melasma then you need to stop using any care products that can cause further irritation to the skin. This includes the products that you use to wash and any lotions of any kind.

Also if you notice this condition appearing as soon as you have taken a birth control oil, then you should stop taking that pill with immediate effect.

Some people consider bleaching the skin in order to remove the patches, but just sound of bleach on the skin does not sound very nice or very comfortable.

In all cases it is best to seek medical advice from your doctor and to learn about the various treatment options that are available to you. Other treatments include laser surgery for instance, but as mentioned you should be aware of all the options available to you.