If you have brown patches on your face, you may be wondering how to get rid of them. Maybe they showed up after spending more time outside. Or maybe they appeared after pregnancy, acne, or years of sun exposure.
But, before reaching for a brightening cream or booking a laser treatment, you’ll need to first figure out if you’re dealing with melasma or hyperpigmentation.
The two can look very similar in the mirror, but they aren’t the same.
What Is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation occurs when a patch of skin becomes darker than the surrounding skin. It can happen to anyone at any age.
One of the biggest causes of this condition is excessive sun exposure, which causes the skin to produce more melanin, brown spots, and uneven areas of color.
But, sun damage isn’t the only culprit. Hormones, age, acne, and even certain medications can lead to hyperpigmentation.
How Melasma Is Different
Melasma is a specific type of pigmentation issue. It’s often associated with hormonal changes as well as sun exposure.
The condition most commonly appears on the face, especially on the forehead, cheeks, nose, upper lip, chin, and jawline.
Pregnancy and changes related to birth control are commonly linked with melasma, which is why the condition is more common in women, though men can develop it too.
Sun exposure can make dark patches even darker, which can make the skin look even worse.
Pay Close Attention to the Pattern
One of the easiest ways to tell if you’re dealing with melasma or hyperpigmentation is to look at how the discoloration appears on your skin.
A few round, brown spots that are clearly defined are more likely to be related to sun damage. These are often caused by sun spots. Dark marks left after acne are known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
On the other hand, melasma looks more like patches of discoloration that spread across the face.
Though looking at the pattern can help you narrow down what’s going on with your skin, the best thing you can do is consult with a dermatologist at Vibrant Dermatology.
Why Getting the Right Diagnosis Is So Important
There’s no shortage of products meant to fade dark spots. But, many of these topicals fall short of their promised results.
This doesn’t mean that your skincare routine is failing. You may simply be treating the wrong problem.
Melasma can be especially stubborn to treat at home because hormones, sunlight, heat, and even light can all worsen discoloration. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by many different factors, and treating acne discoloration isn’t exactly the same as treating a sun spot.
This is why it’s important to identify the type of pigmentation first before beginning any type of treatment.
What Effective Treatment Options Are Available?
You don’t have to just live with unwanted pigmentation.
Melasma can be treated with topical medications, chemical peels, and laser treatments. A solid skincare routine that includes daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is a must.
At Vibrant Dermatology, we frequently treat this type of discoloration with Aerolase laser treatment.
For other types of hyperpigmentation and brown spots, treatments can include facials, chemical peels, laser treatments, and cosmeceutical products.
Unsure If You Have Melasma or Hyperpigmentation? We Take to Guesswork Out of Your Skin!
Don’t go another day with stubborn melasma patches or dark spots caused by sun damage. Instead, come to Vibrant Dermatology for treatment that will even your skin tone and improve your overall skin health.
Improving your skin shouldn’t be frustrating! Book your appointment online or call our office at 617-250-0257 to schedule today and meet with one of our dermatologists today.
Meet Your Dermatologist: Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, M.D., FAAD
Dr. Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip is a board-certified dermatologist, nationally recognized Castle Connolly Top Doctor, and the founder and CEO of Vibrant Dermatology & Aesthetics serving Dedham and Milton, Massachusetts. A Harvard-educated and Ivy League-trained clinician, Dr. Ip blends high-level medical precision with artistic aesthetic restoration, providing comprehensive dermatologic care for patients of all ages, ethnicities, and skin tones.
Academic Excellence & Clinical Leadership
- Undergraduate & Graduate Degrees: A.B. in Health Policy (cum laude) from Harvard University; MPhil in International Development (with distinction) from the University of Cambridge.
- Medical Training & Residency: M.D. from Cornell University Medical College; completed her dermatology residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident.
- National Media & Industry Authority: Featured medical journalist with expert contributions across 200+ publications—including Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, O Magazine, and InStyle—and appearances on national television.
Comprehensive Medical, Surgical & Cosmetic Dermatology
- Skin of Color & Complex Pigmentation: Recognized national authority in ethnic skin concerns, melasma, hyperpigmentation, keloids, and vitiligo.
- Advanced Rejuvenation & Non-Surgical Aesthetics: Expert injector specializing in subtle, balanced outcomes using Botox®, Jeuveau®, Juvéderm®, Restylane®, Radiesse®, and Sculptra® (“Liquid Lift”).
- Cutting-Edge Laser & Energy Modalities: Non-invasive skin remodeling with Sofwave™, RF microneedling, LaseMD, NeoSkin/NeoClear, and KeraFactor® PRP hair restoration therapies.
- Medical & Pediatric Dermatology: Targeted treatment for cystic acne, psoriasis, eczema, pediatric rashes, and early skin cancer detection.
