Since you and your skin go way back, you probably have a pretty good idea of what it should and shouldnโ€™t look like on a regular basis. Itโ€™s no wonder why you might be confused when melasma’s hallmark brown spots start to develop on different parts of your face.

Melasma is a harmless but potentially annoying condition that causes blotchy dark patches to show up on your skin.

Hereโ€™s what you need to know about melasma, plus how to lower the odds youโ€™ll develop these spots at all.