Can spleen and stomach weakness cause melasma?

Spleen and stomach deficiency may cause melasma. The etiological factors of melasma are complex and include malnutrition, endocrine factors, medication, cosmetics, and others. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, melasma formation is closely related to liver channel stagnation and insufficiency of qi and blood. As the foundation of acquired constitution, the spleen and stomach are responsible for digesting and transforming ingested food to supply other viscera and meet the body's nutritional needs. Individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency may suffer from qi and blood insufficiency, leading to inadequate nourishment of facial tissues, which may consequently result in melasma.