What is Melasma? Melasma shows up as brown or gray-brown patches on the face, usually on the cheeks, nose bridge, forehead, chin, and above the lip. It affects people across all skin tones, though the patches tend to be more obvious and harder to fade in people with darker complexions. The darkening happens because the skin produces too much melanin—the pigment that gives skin its color. Sunlight, hormonal shifts (pregnancy, birth control), and certain medications can all trigger or aggravate it. For many people, these patches become a real source of frustration. For years, hydroquinone has been the go-to treatment. But there are reasons to look for something else. The…