The short explanation
Brownish patches on the cheeks, upper lip and forehead that darken with sun exposure are often melasma, a very common pigment condition in Indian women. Sunlight, heat, and visible light all stimulate pigment cells, so a daily commute in the sun can make the patches darker. Hormonal factors such as pregnancy and hormonal contraception also play a role. Melasma can be lightened, but it tends to come back if sun protection lapses. The foundation of treatment is consistent sun protection: a broad-spectrum sunscreen, reapplied when outdoors for long, together with physical cover such as a scarf, cap or a helmet visor. A dermatologist can then suggest suitable lightening treatments. Patience matters, as improvement usually takes months.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Not every dark patch is melasma. Patches can also come from acne marks, friction, fungal infections or reactions to products, and each is treated differently.
- Avoid creams sold for 'instant fairness' or bought without a prescription. Many contain strong steroids or mercury, which can damage skin and make pigmentation worse in the long run.
- Heat itself can worsen melasma, so shade and covering help even on cloudy days.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot confirm whether your patches are melasma. A dermatologist needs to look at them, sometimes with a special lamp, before suggesting treatment.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Are these patches melasma or something else?
- Which sunscreen type suits my skin and commute?
- What treatments are safe for my skin, and how long might they take?
- Could my contraception or other medicines be contributing?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Book an appointment soon
- See a doctor within a few days if a patch is itchy, scaly, spreading fast or bleeding.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine dermatology appointment to confirm the cause and plan treatment.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Melasma MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- Skin conditions MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- Mercury and health World Health Organization
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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