Melasma vs. Sun Spots: Understanding the Differences and How to Treat Them

Pigmentation is pigmentation. At least, that’s what many tell themselves. However, hyperpigmentation differs in its causes and symptoms, which take your treatments in different directions. Sunspots and melasma are two such conditions that are often mixed up despite their common occurrence. Dive right in to understand their varying causes and solutions, and make sure you’re giving your skin the right kind of treatment for melasma on your face.

Keynote:

• Melasma appears as larger, symmetrical brown or gray-brown patches on the face, often triggered by hormones, sun exposure, and genetics. Sun spots or age spots are small, flat brown spots caused mainly by UV exposure and aging.
• Melasma and sun spots can be treated and managed with topical depigmenting agents (e.g., hydroquinone, Thiamidol), chemical peels, exfoliating acids, cryotherapy, and microdermabrasion, among other solutions.
• Using sunscreen (SPF 50+), wearing protective clothing, using antioxidants, and maintaining a consistent skincare routine help prevent both conditions.
• Consulting a dermatologist is essential for personalised treatment, especially for persistent pigmentation concerns, ensuring safe and effective management.

Often called “chloasma" or "pregnancy mask," melasma is one of the most common forms of hyperpigmentation. It leaves large, symmetrical brown or gray-brown patches on the face, especially around the cheeks, forehead, chin, and upper lip. Melasma typically appears on both sides of the face. While it can be found in men and women, pregnant women are more prone to developing it.

Appearance of Melasma

Appearance is one of the best ways to find out the differences between melasma vs sun spots. Melasma is usually larger and more evident than other types of pigmentation. It appears as gray or brown patches on both sides of your face and may vary in size, shape, and symmetry. Melasma can show up anywhere on the face, be it your forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, or even upper lip. While it does not cause any pain or irritation, it can starkly affect the way you look and even take a hit on your self-confidence.

Causes of Melasma

Melasma begins with melanin. Melanin is the pigment in your skin, eyes, and hair, responsible for their color. When melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) produce too much pigment, the splotches we call melasma appear. A number of causes push your melanocytes to produce pigment erratically, some of them being -

• Hormones

  Imbalances or fluctuations in your hormones can trigger the overproduction of melanin, leading to melasma. Pregnancy and menopause make women more susceptible to melasma pigmentation. External factors like oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can lead to it too.

• Sun Damage

  Excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays is another primary cause of melasma. UV damage can trigger or worsen existing melasma and leave you with deeper pigmentation. This is why sun protection happens to be the most accessible and necessary step for treating melasma.

• Genes

  A family history of melasma can make you more prone to this hyperpigmentation. If you observe a genetic history you can start early with your preventative treatment for melasma on the face.

• Skin Tone

  The darker your skin tone, the more prone it is to pigmentation. The same stands true for melasma. If you have a light-brown skin type (such as those with Fitzpatrick skin types III to VI) and live in tropical or equatorial countries with more sun exposure, the chances of you developing melasma are higher.

• Stress

  While research gaps remain, a few studies suggest that emotional stress triggers your body to produce cortisol, which may lead to melasma.

Appearance of Melasma

The treatment for melasma on the face depends on the type of melasma that you’re suffering from.

• Dark brown Patches

  If you have brown patches that respond well to treatment, you’re looking at epidermal melasma. This is when the pigmentation is limited to the outermost layers of your skin.

• Blue-grey patches

  If you have patches with a blurry, grey look, you may have dermal melasma. This is when the pigmentation goes into the deeper layers of your skin.

• Bluish-brown patches

  If you’re seeing a bit of both, it is mixed melasma. However, it’s important to talk to your dermatologist and observe the pigmentation under black light to determine which type of pigmentation you're facing and how you’re going to be treating melasma.

Sunspots or solar lentigines are small, flat, brownish spots on your skin that develop on the face, shoulders, arms, neck, and any other area exposed to the sun. They are also called age spots as they darken with age and are also often referred to as liver spots (while they are not related to your liver functions). Treating sunspots may differ from your treatment for melasma on the face, owing to different causes.

Causes of Sun Spots

Melanin production is the primary cause of most types of hyperpigmentation, including sun spots. However, the reasons triggering sun spots differ and are also very common.

• Sun Exposure

  As the name suggests, the leading cause of sun spots is prolonged sun exposure. The sun’s UV rays trigger excess melanin production, leading to the formation of sun spots on your face, neck, arms, shoulders, and any other areas that are frequently exposed to the sun.

• Aging

  As your skin ages, its ability to repair and regenerate slows down. This makes your skin more prone to uneven pigmentation, like flat, brown sun spots.

• Tanning Beds

  Just like natural sun exposure, tanning beds also leave your skin exposed to artificial radiation and accelerate melanin production. This increases your risk of developing sun spots and other long-term skin damage.

• Genetics

  Heredity is another cause of developing sun spots. If you have a family history of pigmentation, you may be more inclined to develop spots.

Appearance of Sunspots

Age spots or sun spots look like small, flat, and dark circular patches on the skin. Brown in color, the sun spots may vary in size and appear together in a cluster around your face, neck, shoulders, neck, or any sun-exposed areas. You may see sun spots at a younger age at times, however, they most commonly begin to appear in middle age and late adulthood, when your skin begins to lose its ability to repair itself.

Understanding the difference between melasma and sun spots is crucial before starting your treatment. From appearance to treatments, there are several variations when it comes to melasma vs sun spots.

Here are a few common ones -

• Location

  Melasma: This typically appears on the sides of your cheeks, forehead, nose, chin, and upper lip. It usually appears on your face and neck.
  
  Sun spots: These can appear on any sun-exposed part of the body, including your face, hands, shoulders, arms, and even your feet.

• Causes

  Melasma: This is largely triggered by hormonal changes in women, genetics, and can be worsened by sun exposure.
  
  Sun spots: Sun spots are primarily caused by spending long hours under the sun’s UV or on tanning beds. These darken and worsen with age as your skin’s ability to regenerate decreases.

• Appearance

  Melasma: This often appears as medium to large, irregular brown or gray-brown patches that may appear symmetrically.
  
  Sun spots: These are smaller, flat, brown or black spots, which are typically round or oval in shape. They might appear in clusters, too.

• Age group

  Melasma: This commonly affects women of reproductive age or those going through menopause. Hormonal contraceptives could cause it, too.
  
  Sun spots: These are more common in aging people, and they darken with time. Although they can appear in younger people who have had significant sun exposure.

Treatment for Melasma

Topical Treatments:

Many topical treatments can come in handy for treating melasma on the face. Combination therapy with ingredients like hydroquinone (4%), tretinoin (0.05%), and fluocinolone acetonide (0.01%) is usually used for treating melasma. However, these treatments can be too harsh on many skin types and can even cause paradoxical hyperpigmentation. This is where gentle skincare ingredients like Thiamidol come to aid.

Chemical Peels:

Chemical peels with exfoliants like glycolic or salicylic acid can be done every month under the administration of a dermatologist. The strength and the frequency of these peels can be increased over time while combining them with topical ingredients and skincare routines. Close monitoring is crucial, and treatment should be stopped if irregular depigmentation occurs.

Laser Treatments:

Laser treatments are generally not the preferred option for melasma due to the risk of worsening pigmentation. Their use is reserved for extensive, treatment-resistant cases, but they must be approached with caution as they can sometimes lead to undesirable cosmetic results rather than improvement.

Overall, the safest and most effective way to manage melasma is through consistent use of topical depigmenting agents, sun protection, and lifestyle modifications. More aggressive treatments should only be followed by professionals.

Treatment for Sun Spots

Topical Solutions:

While treating melasma, topical solutions come in handy for treating sun spots as well. Exfoliating skin ingredients like glycolic acid and salicylic acid can come in handy. Anti-pigmentation serums with ingredients like Thiamidol can help you lighten the spots while revealing an even skin tone.

Cryotherapy:

A cold-therapy treatment, cryotherapy helps you get rid of sunspots by freezing them off. This dries out the pigmented skin cells, causing them to shed and revealing new skin cells. Treating sun spots this way is gentler than using lasers and peels and causes less inflammation and blistering.

Microdermabrasion:

Microdermabrasion is about gently removing the outermost layer of your skin using an abrasive tool. This helps you reveal new skin cells and thicken collagen. It causes minimal scarring and gives you softer, smoother skin from the first treatment itself.

Peels, laser therapies, and over-the-counter medications can also be used to treat sun spots.

Preventing melasma and sun spots is always simpler than treating these conditions. However, it requires a proactive skin care approach and consistency. Here are some tips:

• Use Sunscreen Every Day

  Broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50+ is crucial for shielding your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, which trigger pigmentation and worsen existing conditions. Using high-protection sunscreens is one of the best treatments for melasma and sun spots. Try to avoid artificial tanning beds too.

• Wear Protective Clothing

  Since sweat and friction can wipe off the sunscreen on your neck and arms, you can use sleeved clothes to give your skin additional defence against sun spots. Look for shade during peak sun hours and minimise direct UV exposure.

• Use Antioxidants in Skincare

  Use antioxidants like licochalcone A, vitamin C, and niacinamide to neutralise free radicals, reduce inflammation, and combat oxidative stress.

• Follow a Skin Regimen

  A well-built skin regimen with cleansing gels, toners, serums, and day creams is arguably one of the most consistent and best treatments for melasma and sun spots. Look for ingredients like Thiamidol to maintain your radiance, treat pigmentation, and prevent new spots.

• Consult your Dermatologist

  Talk to your dermatologist if you notice sudden or increased pigmentation on your skin. Balance your lifestyle to prevent any hormone-triggered pigmentation.

Equipped with all the knowledge on melasma vs sunspots and the best treatments for them, it’s time to build your skin regimen. Browse through the vast array of Eucerin anti-pigment products and start treating melasma and sun spots gently, through your daily routine.

1. How do I know if I have sun spots or melasma?

   You can identify melasma vs sun spots based on the appearance of your pigmentation. Patchy, symmetrical pigmentation usually suggests it’s melasma, whereas flat, round spots are categorized as age or liver spots. Talk to your dermatologist for a definitive answer.

2. What is the best treatment for melasma and sunspots?

   Topical serums like Thiamidol, antioxidants, sunscreens, and a consistent skincare routine are some of the best treatments for melasma and sun spots. You can also try clinical treatments like chemical peels and laser therapy for quicker, more drastic results.

3. How to get rid of sunspots?

   Make sure you’re applying sunscreen every day while treating sunspots. Follow a proper skin regimen with anti-pigment and anti-aging products that help you fade out the spots.

4. Are age spots and melasma the same?

   No. Melasma and age spots are different types of pigmentation, with different causes and symptoms. Melasma is usually a product of hormonal changes, while age spots occur due to prolonged sun exposure and aging skin.

• American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). Melasma Causes.
• British Skin Foundation. (n.d.). Know Your Skin: Melasma.
• Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Melasma.
• Harvard Health. (n.d.). Unmasking the Causes and Treatments of Melasma.
• Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Age Spots: Symptoms & Causes.
• National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). Etiologic Factors of Melasma.
• PMC. (n.d.). Article on Melasma.