PIGMENTATION! Melasma &Brown spots. Whats the difference?

Both melasma and brown spots are types of hyperpigmentation, which refers to areas of the skin that are darker than the surrounding skin due to excess production of melanin. However, there are some differences between melasma and brown spots in terms of causes and treatment approaches.

Melasma:

• Melasma is a common form of hyperpigmentation that occurs primarily on the face, although it can also appear on the neck and forearms.

• It is typically characterized by symmetrical patches or blotches of darker skin with irregular borders.

• The exact cause of melasma is not fully understood, but hormonal changes, sun exposure, and genetics are believed to play a role.

• Treatment options for melasma include:

  1. Sun protection: Consistently using a mineral sunscreen with a high SPF and wearing protective clothing can help prevent melasma from worsening.

  2. Topicals: Skin specialist may recommend a medical grade creams or serums containing ingredients like hydroquinone, retinoids, or kojic acids, arbutin to lighten the dark patches.

  3. Chemical peels: This involves the application of a chemical solution to the skin to exfoliate the top layer and promote new, lighter skin growth.

  4. Laser therapy: Certain laser treatments, such as intense pulsed light (IPL) however this may not be an option for some, can help reduce the appearance of melasma.

  5. Micro-needling: Skin Pen micro-needling creates fine needling points into the skin causing mild trauma to break up the pigmentation and allow the body to naturally heal the skin.

Brown Spots:

• Brown spots, also known as age spots or sunspots, are small, flat patches of hyperpigmentation that commonly appear on areas frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders, and arms.

• They are typically round or oval in shape and vary in size, ranging from freckle-sized spots to larger areas of pigmentation.

• Brown spots are mainly caused by accumulated sun exposure over time, leading to an increase in melanin production in specific areas.

• Treatment options for brown spots may include:

  1. Sun protection: As with melasma, using sunscreen and protective clothing is crucial for preventing further darkening of the spots.

  2. Topical treatments: Over-the-counter creams or serums containing ingredients like hydroquinone, kojic acid, vitamin C, or retinol may help lighten brown spots.

  3. Cryotherapy: This involves freezing the spots with liquid nitrogen to destroy the excess melanin.

  4. Laser therapy: Various laser treatments, such as IPL lasers, can fade or remove brown spots by targeting the melanin, causing it to break down, darken and peel off.

For both melasma and brown spots, it's important to consult with a skin specialist who can assess your specific condition and recommend an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your needs. They can also provide further guidance on skincare routines and lifestyle modifications to prevent future pigmentation issues. Book a skin consultation to determine the best course of treatment at Skin Suite.

-Rosie-