Melasma (facial pigmentation)
Also known as: melasma, chloasma, pregnancy mask, brown facial patches
Melasma causes brown patches on the face — driven by sun exposure, hormones (pregnancy, pills) and genetics. Strict sun protection plus dermatological treatments fade it over months. Chinese medicine reads it as liver constraint with stasis, kidney yin deficiency or spleen deficiency rising to the face, treating the pattern alongside.
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Lifestyle & Diet
- •Daily sunscreen year-round — even indoors near windows.
- •Treatment takes months; consistency matters.
- •Discuss hormone pills with your doctor if flares track with them.
- •Cover-up makeup is fine and helpful.
Cautions & Contraindications
- •No herbal bleaching products — some contain mercury. Prescribed creams only.[]
When to reassess or seek care again
Review every 8 weeks with photos: patch darkness, sun-protection habits.
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Sources & Further Reading
Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.
- Victorian Government · 2024
- Healthdirect Australia · 2024
- National Library of Medicine · 2024
Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.