How are freckles different from melasma?

Freckles can appear from a young age, individually, while melasma is often caused by aging, in patches of different sizes, colors, and depths.

Freckles and melasma are hyperpigmentation conditions caused by increased melanin production . Dr. Le Nguyen Thuy Vy, Dermatology - Skin Aesthetics Unit, Tam Anh General Clinic District 7, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that these two skin problems have the same causes such as genetics, aging, hormonal disorders or environmental factors such as frequent exposure to sunlight. Areas that are easily exposed to sunlight such as the face, neck, shoulders, nape, hands, and feet often have melasma and freckles.

Freckles may first appear in childhood. They are usually in the shallow layer of the skin surface, round in shape with a small size of 1-5 mm, the size of a toothpick or sesame seed, located individually or linked into small, clearly defined patches. Freckles are more common in white people. The color is often diverse, can be black, light brown, dark brown or deep yellow. The darkness of freckles can change with the intensity of sunlight, fading in winter.

Some freckles may fade naturally. They also tend to fade with age. Age spots may replace the freckles of youth if proper sun protection is not used.

Freckles are as small as sesame seeds and are usually single. (Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital).

Melasma is a skin pigmentation disorder that occurs when melanin is produced excessively, leading to the formation of dark spots and patches with varying degrees of intensity, from light brown to dark brown. Melasma has different manifestations depending on size, color and depth, usually on the forehead, symmetrically on both cheeks, chin, forehead, even all over the face, or on the neck, shoulders, back, arms, hands.

This condition occurs frequently in women aged 20-50, especially when the skin begins to age rapidly, pregnant and postpartum women, and premenopausal women are more susceptible to melasma.

Melasma patches on a man's cheeks. (Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital).

According to Dr. Vy, the treatment of melasma and freckles has many things in common, but the treatment process is not the same for each skin area. Patients should visit medical facilities with a dermatology - cosmetic skin department to determine the nature, skin condition as well as the level of melasma and freckles to have the best treatment process.

New, mild, shallow hyperpigmentation can usually be treated with topical and oral medications. The skin lightening ingredients in the medication will inhibit the development of melanin and fade dark spots and freckles on the skin. The speed of treatment depends on the skin condition and the compliance of each person.

Severe, long-term hyperpigmentation can be treated with modern technologies such as laser, chemical or biological skin resurfacing (skin peeling), electrophoresis, mesotherapy, and skin lightening essences. Dr. Vy said that these methods are highly effective and safe, but require multiple sessions and must be performed by a doctor at a licensed medical facility.

People who are being treated for hyperpigmentation should avoid going out during the hottest hours of the day, from 10am to 4pm. Apply sunscreen regularly, reapplying every two hours when outdoors to prevent UV rays from damaging sensitive skin and stimulating the skin to produce more melanin. Cover your body with a hat, long-sleeved clothing, a mask, gloves or an umbrella.