Objective To study the clinico-epidemiological features and the effect of melasma on the QOL of patients in a tertiary care hospital. Methods Hundred patients with melasma was studied and the Quality of life was determined by melasma quality of life (MELASQOL) questionnaire. Results Mean age of the study population was 41.8±7.1 years. Regarding MASI (melasma area severity index), 85 % had a score of 0-5, followed by 13% who had a MASI score of 6-10. The mean value of MASI is 3.563±2.7. In this study, 30% had a MELASQOL score of 10-20, 47% had a score of 21-30, 10% had a score of 31-40, 26% between 41-50, 6% had a score of 51-60, and 1% showed a score of 61-70. The mean value of the MELASQOL score is 30.86. There was no statistically significant association between MelasQoL and sex, education, marital status, duration of melasma, pattern of melasma, and severity of melasma. Conclusion Negative effect of melasma on the quality of life is not captured by MASI. Therefore, QOL should be assessed, and treatment should be planned by taking in to account the psychosocial and emotional stress. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.