Pigmentation: The difference between Sun Damage and Melasma.
- The Source
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Uneven skin tone caused by sun damage and melasma affects millions of people worldwide.
People often use “sun damage”, "pigmentation" and “melasma” interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing.
All of these are a name for any change or excess in skin color due to melanin, but can be split into differnet categories;
They include:
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) – dark marks after acne, cuts, burns, eczema
Sun spots/age spots
Freckles
Main Causes: sun exposure, inflammation, acne, injury, genetics, aging
Appearance: spots, patches, or marks; shape and color vary
Who gets it: anyone
Melasma is a chronic, hormonally driven type of pigmentation.
Key features:
Symmetrical patches (often both cheeks, forehead, upper lip)
Brown to gray-brown color
Can become more prominent with sun, heat, hormones
Common triggers:
Pregnancy (“mask of pregnancy”)
Contraceptive pill
Hormonal changes
Sun exposure (even small amounts)
These common triggers stimulate melanocytes, a natural pigment made by special skin cells, leading to uneven color distribution.
Effective Treatments for Pigmentation and Melasma
The fundamental first step which is essential for all clients is a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30–50+) with titanium or iron oxides (protects against visible light) This protects the skin against future damage allowing us to work on what is already there.
Treatment for 'Post inflammatory Pigmentation or sun damage' and 'Melasma' need to be approached slightly differently.
Effective treatment for all pigmentation can be a combination of in-clinic treatments such as:
Tranexamic Acid Peels
IPL
SkinPen Micro-needling
These treatments combined with a tailored homecare regime incorporating targeted serums like Vitamin C and Retinol as well as your SPF can be hugely successful.
Melasma treatment usually requires a combination approach and patience, because it’s an on-going condition. Certain treatments that are suitable for pigmentation need to be avoided for melasma such as IPL as it can often worsen melasma due to the heat put into the skin. Melasma is a permanent condition once it appears but we can make considerable improvements if it is managed by tailored treatments and homecare.
To find out more about our tailored treatment plans or homecare products book in for a 'Begin your Journey' consultation. You can book online via the link below:
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