Quick Answer
- Melasma: Blotchy brown or grey-brown patches, matching on both sides of the face
- Sun spots: Small, defined brown spots on sun-exposed skin
- Post-acne marks: Flat brown or red marks left where a spot healed
- Main clues: Shape, position and what came before the mark
- Why the type matters: Some treatments for sun spots make melasma darker
- Shared rule: Daily SPF 50 for all three
Why Does the Type of Pigmentation Matter?
Three common pigment problems look similar and behave differently. Each has a different cause. Each sits at a different depth in the skin. A treatment suited to one type sometimes makes another type darker. Strong laser on melasma is the common example.
A correct diagnosis comes first. The plan follows the type.
How Do Melasma, Sun Spots and Post-Acne Marks Compare?
| Feature | Melasma | Sun Spots | Post-Acne Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical name | Melasma | Solar lentigines | Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation |
| Shape | Blotchy patches with uneven edges | Round or oval spots with clear edges | Marks the size and shape of the old spot |
| Colour | Brown to grey-brown | Light to dark brown | Brown, or pink to red in lighter skin |
| Position | Cheeks, forehead, nose, upper lip, chin | Face, hands, chest, shoulders | Wherever acne or irritation occurred |
| Pattern | Matching on both sides | Scattered | Follows breakouts |
| Main cause | Sun, visible light, heat, hormones | Years of sun exposure | Inflammation or injury |
| Typical onset | 20s to 40s | 40s onward, earlier with heavy sun | Any age |
| Course | Long-term, with flares in summer | Stays unless treated | Fades over months |
| Response to strong laser | Risk of rebound pigment | Often good | Risk of darkening in deeper skin |
What Does Melasma Look Like?
- Patches larger than a coin, with irregular borders
- A mirror-image pattern on both sides of the face
- Common sites are the cheeks, forehead, bridge of the nose and upper lip
- Patches darken after sun or heat and lighten in cooler months
- Patches often start during pregnancy or after starting hormonal contraception
Read the full guide to melasma and pigmentation in Dubai.
What Do Sun Spots Look Like?
- Flat spots with clear edges, from a few millimetres to over a centimetre across
- Even colour within each spot
- Sites with the most lifetime sun, such as the cheeks, temples, backs of the hands and chest
- No fading in winter
- More spots with age
Freckles differ from sun spots. Freckles are smaller, start in childhood and fade in winter.
What Do Post-Acne Marks Look Like?
- A flat mark exactly where a spot, scratch, burn or rash healed
- Brown in medium to deeper skin tones. Pink or red in lighter skin tones.
- A smooth surface. An indented mark is a scar, not a pigment mark.
- Gradual fading over 3 to 12 months
- Slower fading with sun exposure and with picking
Post-acne marks are common in medium to deeper skin, which produces pigment readily after inflammation. For indented scars, read salmon DNA for acne scars.
How Do You Check at Home?
- Look at the shape: Blotchy patches point to melasma. Defined dots point to sun spots. Marks matching old breakouts point to post-acne marks.
- Check both sides of your face: A mirror-image pattern points to melasma.
- Think about timing: Pregnancy or new contraception points to melasma. A recent breakout points to post-acne marks. A slow build-up over years points to sun spots.
- Notice the seasons: Darker in summer and lighter in winter points to melasma.
- Book an assessment: Your doctor confirms the type.
Many people have more than one type at once. A home check is a guide, not a diagnosis.
How Do Doctors Confirm the Type?
- History: Pregnancy, medication, skincare, sun habits and past treatments
- Examination: Bright light and magnification show the pattern and borders
- Wood’s lamp: A special light helps judge how deep the pigment sits
- Spot check: Your doctor refers any unusual spot to a dermatologist
How Does Treatment Differ by Type?
| Type | First Steps | In-Clinic Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melasma | Tinted SPF 50 and doctor-guided brightening creams | Mild peels, low-energy laser, microneedling | No aggressive heat. Maintenance needed. |
| Sun spots | SPF 50 and topical brightening | Pigment laser, peels | Device and settings matched to skin tone |
| Post-acne marks | Acne control, SPF 50, azelaic acid or niacinamide | Mild peels. Gentle laser in selected cases. | Picking spots creates new marks |
Not sure whether a peel suits you? Read chemical peel vs HydraFacial. For daily protection, see which sunscreen suits melasma.
Which Daily Habits Help All Three Types?
- Apply broad-spectrum SPF 50 every morning and reapply outdoors
- Wear a hat and sunglasses in direct sun
- Leave spots and scabs alone. Picking adds new marks.
- Use gentle skincare. Harsh scrubs irritate the skin and deepen pigment.
- Introduce one new active product at a time
- Give each plan 8 to 12 weeks before judging the change
When Should a Doctor Check a Dark Spot?
See a dermatologist about any spot with one or more of these signs:
- A change in size, shape or colour
- Uneven borders or several colours
- Itching, bleeding or crusting
- A look different from your other spots
- A new single spot appearing in adulthood
Frequently Asked Questions
Is melasma the same as hyperpigmentation?
Melasma is one type of hyperpigmentation. Sun spots and post-acne marks are other types.
Do sun spots turn into melasma?
No. The two are separate conditions. Many people have both.
Do post-acne marks go away on their own?
Most fade over 3 to 12 months. Sun protection and treatment speed up fading.
Which type takes longest to treat?
Melasma usually needs the longest plan. Triggers stay present, and flares return without maintenance.
Does laser remove all three types?
No. Laser suits many sun spots. Melasma, and post-acne marks in deeper skin, need a careful low-energy approach or no laser.
Do freckles count as sun spots?
No. Freckles are smaller, start in childhood and fade in winter.
Related Guides
- Melasma and Pigmentation in Dubai
- Which Sunscreen Suits Melasma?
- Melasma During Pregnancy
- Post-Summer Skin Repair in Dubai
- Dark Circles Under the Eyes
Book a Consultation
Want to know which type of pigmentation you have? Message us on WhatsApp to book your skin assessment.
This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace a personalised consultation with a licensed medical aesthetics provider. Individual results vary.