Melasma is also known as facial Chloasma or the mask of pregnancy.It is a tan or dark skin discolouration.Sometimes it may be brown or bluish gray coloured discolouration.


Symptoms
The symptoms of melasma are dark,irregular patches commonly found on the upper cheek, nose, lips, upper lip, and forehead. These patches often develop gradually over time. Melasma does not cause any other symptoms beyond the cosmetic discolouration.

Cause
Pregnancy
Hormonal changes
Intense sun exposure
Hereditary
Thyroid disease
stress
allergic reactions(medications and cosmetics)

Tips
The discoloration usually disappears gradually over a period of several months after giving birth or stopping the oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.

Use broad spectrum UVB/UVA chemical sunscreen with SPF 30 to protect your skin.Do not forget to apply the sunscreen after every 2-3 hrs as the sunscreen effects for a limited period of time.

Homeopathic approach
Homeopathy has very good medicines for melasma. Depending upon the cause we give medicines.We have been able to help people lighten the pigmented patch on the face , prevent it from becoming darker and in many cases completely cure the patches.

Homeopathic Medicines useful for melasma .
Antim crude,Sepia
Carbo veg,Conium,Dulcamera,
Laurocerasus,Sepia,Sulphur,Nitric acid,
Merc sol,Lycopodium etc..