Hello Dear. For some women, melasma disappears on its own. This typically occurs when it’s caused by pregnancy or birth control pills. There are creams your doctor can prescribe that can lighten the skin. Your doctor might also prescribe topical steroids to help lighten the affected areas. If these don t work, chemical peels, dermabrasion, and microdermabrasion are possible options. These treatments strip away the top layers of skin and may help lighten dark patches. These procedures don t guarantee that the melasma won t come back, and some cases of melasma cannot be completely lightened. You might have to return for follow-up visits and follow certain skin treatment guidelines to reduce the risk of the melasma returning. These include minimizing your sun exposure and wearing sunscreen. While not all cases of melasma will clear up with treatment, there are things you can do to make sure the condition doesn’t get worse and to minimize appearance of the discoloration. These include: 1. using makeup to cover areas of discoloration 2. taking prescribed medication 3. wearing sunscreen every day with SPF 30 4. wearing a wide-brimmed hat that shields or provides shade for your face 5. Wearing protective clothing is especially important if you ll be in the sun for an extended period of time. If you’re self-conscious about your melasma, talk with your doctor about local support groups or counselors. Meeting other people with the condition or talking with someone can make you feel better. Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you. All the best With warm regards Dr Sanjay Kini