What Exactly is Melasma?

Who Develops Melasma?

Although there is no exact way to pinpoint who will develop melasma based on specific skin tone or ethnicity, there are some individuals who are more likely to have this skin condition over others. Women tend to have melasma more often than men; only ten percent of those who live with melasma are male. Of those men, the majority have darker skin tones. While patients with lighter skin can certainly develop melasma, it has been most commonly found in those who have a naturally darker skin tone; such as people of Hispanic, Latin, African, Asian, Indian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern descent. It is presumed that this is the result of darker skin tones having a higher tendency to develop color more naturally.