melisma is MELASMA. That is the clinical name.
Hi there. Ugh, I'm so sorry. I had this too. Exfoliating doesn't work because this is melisma, a clinical condition that affects deep into the skin. The bleaches and skin exfoliates don't work on it.
BUT, as it is caused by the hormones of pregnancy--- it goes away. I did briefly use prescription Renova on it which helped but that was after birth and just for 3 months. It went away completely and would have without the Renova as it is often a reaction to too much estrogen in the system.
I got dermablend cover up that comes in a little pot and put it on the spots that had the dark covering. It worked pretty well. Not the greatest thing in the world but better than the mask of pregnancy showing.
Again, mine went completely away so was a temporary pregnancy thing.
good luck
Get a face scrub. Neutrogena works. Something to exfoliate the skin.