You notice dark patches on your skin and assume they’re sun spots, but that isn’t always the case. Melasma and sun spots can appear very similar, yet their causes and treatment options are often quite different. Knowing which type of pigmentation you’re dealing with is an important step toward getting the results you want.
At Arlani Integrative Medicine in Salt Lake City, UT, our team helps clients improve pigmentation concerns with advanced skin treatments. Led by Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner Rachelle Russell, who has over 20 years of healthcare experience, our providers, including Master Estheticians Loreta and Olivia, offer expert care using IPL and advanced laser technologies.
What Is Melasma?
Melasma is a common skin condition that causes brown or gray-brown patches, most often on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, and chin. It is frequently triggered by hormonal changes, sun exposure, genetics, and heat.
Melasma is especially common in women and often appears during pregnancy or while taking hormonal medications. Unlike sun spots, melasma typically forms in larger, symmetrical patches across the face.
What Are Sun Spots?
Sun spots, also called age spots or solar lentigines, are small, flat dark spots that develop after years of UV exposure. They commonly appear on areas that receive the most sun, including the face, chest, shoulders, and hands.
Sun spots tend to have more defined borders and appear as individual spots rather than larger patches.
How to Tell the Difference Between the Two?
Here are a few key signs:
Melasma
- Larger patches of discoloration
- Often appears symmetrically on both sides of the face
- Influenced by hormones and sun exposure
- Can worsen with heat and inflammation
Sun Spots
- Small, distinct dark spots
- Usually develop in isolated areas
- Primarily caused by cumulative sun damage
- Often respond well to targeted light-based treatments
Why Proper Diagnosis Matters?
Treating melasma like a sun spot can sometimes worsen pigmentation. Certain treatments that work well for sun spots may aggravate melasma if not carefully selected. That’s why a professional skin assessment is so important.
At Arlani Integrative Medicine, Salt Lake City and Draper, UT, we evaluate your skin type, pigmentation pattern, and treatment goals before recommending options such as IPL, laser treatments, medical-grade skincare, or other texture and pigmentation services.
Get Expert Help for Stubborn Pigmentation
If you’re struggling with melasma, sun spots, or uneven skin tone, call 801-716-1007 today to schedule a consultation with the team.
