Can spleen and stomach deficiency cause melasma?

Spleen and stomach deficiency is indeed associated with the formation of melasma to some extent. From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), melasma is closely related to stagnation in the liver channel and insufficiency of qi and blood. As the foundation of postnatal health, the spleen and stomach are responsible for digesting and transforming ingested food to supply energy and nutrients to other organs and maintain bodily functions. When the spleen and stomach are weak, the circulation of qi and blood becomes impaired, leading to insufficient nourishment of facial tissues, which may contribute to the development of melasma. Additionally, spleen and stomach weakness can result in poor nutrient absorption, further exacerbating melasma formation. Therefore, spleen and stomach deficiency is a potential contributing factor in the development of melasma, although not the sole cause. Melasma is also influenced by multiple other factors, including genetics, endocrine changes, and ultraviolet radiation exposure.