Patches of discoloration on your face, often caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, or a hormonal change, can be harder to conceal than under eye circles. Why? Because melasma is often darker and larger than under eye circles.

It's not the end of the world, for sure. Still, if you want a flawless complexion, oddly shaped brown/brownish-gray patches on your cheeks, forehead, upper lip, or nose can put a crimp on the flawless canvas thing. And no one is immune - women with dark skin have just as much of a problem with melasma as women with lighter skin. But it doesn't matter - making the patches appear to disappear? That we can do!

First, don't let the melasma get any worse. Wear a natural sunscreen under your makeup year round, or switch to mineral makeup which has an SPF of about 15. A wide-brimmed hat is good, too.

If you want to go the permanent disappearing route, see your dermatologist about laser treatment or a chemical peel. Or you can try a lightening cream - but be sure to buy a non-animal tested cream, such as DermaDoctor's Immaculate Correction Potent Hydroquinone-Free Skin Brightener.

To cover melasma patches, which is the easier way to go, we need to remember that what conceals under eye circles won't work on melasma. First, because melasma is a different color, and second, because the skin is a different texture on the cheeks and forhead than it is under the eyes.

For Liquid Foundation Wearers: use liquid or cream color correctors after moisturizer and before foundation. For Mineral Makeup Wearers: use colored powders, and brush them on under the foundation (only where the discolorations are, not on the whole face).

You'll have to experiment - you want to "disappear" the brown patch, and that might mean mixing colors to get the exact one that will work for you.

If your discolorations are tan, or light brown, try a blue-violet color corrector. Obviously, this has to be either a very light color, or applied with a light hand.

Patches that are more gray, or grayish-brown might be hidden by a color corrector in light lavender. Patches that may also have red in them (from rosacea or allergies) can be hidden by mustardy colors. One to try is Vincent Longo Creme Concealer in Amber. Some women have told me they use a light peachy color underneath their makeup. Another popular concealing color is violet toned down with a little gray.

If the patches are still visible, try combining colors until you get just the shade that, when applied to the melasma, totally makes it disappear.

You can also conceal melasma with specialized non-colored products. Jane Iredale's Enlighten Concealer covers the area, and also contains natural ingredients to lighten it at the same time.

The first thing to do if you ever notice anything unusual on your skin is of course to go see the dermatologist. But after you get her okay, go ahead and experiment.