Melasma is a common skin disorder showing up in women of all races. It is characterized by discolored spots on the skin caused by excess melanin production. Melasma occurs most often during the woman’s mid-thirties and early forties. It is a result of the body’s reaction to sun exposure, and it is usually hereditary. Treatments can reduce the appearance of melasma, but no cure exists yet. When the skin is exposed to the sun, UV rays are. Cause the melanin in the skin to become active again. The active melanin then triggers the production of more melanin through a process called a post-transcriptional modification. This process is called photo-sensitization, and it occurs even when there is no UV exposure. A person with darker skin coloration has more melanocytes than someone with a lighter skin tone. Since darker skin looks tanner than pale, melasma occurs most often in women with darker skin colors. Melasma usually goes away on its own but can be treated to reduce its appearance.