What is the difference between melasma and blotchy pigmentation?

Brown spots, uneven patches of pigment or areas of blotchy pigmentation on the face, neck and chest are incredibly common, particularly after years of sun exposure.

But not all pigmentation is the same.

What looks like sun damage may actually be melasma, and knowing the difference matters. Melasma and sun-induced pigmentation have different triggers, behave differently in the skin and may require very different approaches to treatment.

This is why, at Select Skin, we don't start by choosing a laser or a chemical peel. We start by understanding the pigmentation we're treating.

What causes pigmentation?

Pigmentation occurs when melanin, the pigment responsible for giving your skin its colour, is produced or distributed unevenly.

Sun exposure is one of the most common triggers. Over time, repeated UV exposure can cause localised areas of excess pigment, which may appear as freckles, sun spots or irregular brown patches across areas such as the face, décolletage and hands.

Melasma is different. It is a complex pigmentation condition influenced by several factors, including hormones, UV exposure and heat. It commonly appears on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip and other areas of the face.

The distinction is important because a treatment that may be appropriate for sun-induced pigmentation may not be the right choice for melasma.

What does melasma look like compared with sun-induced pigmentation?

Sun-induced pigmentation tends to be more random in its distribution. You might notice individual brown spots, freckles or irregular blotchy areas where the skin has received years of cumulative sun exposure.

Melasma more commonly appears as larger, symmetrical patches of brown or grey-brown pigmentation, particularly across the cheeks, forehead and upper lip.

However, appearance alone doesn't always tell us exactly what is happening within the skin.

You can also have more than one type of pigmentation at the same time, which is one reason we recommend having persistent or recurring pigmentation properly assessed before beginning treatment.

How do we assess pigmentation at Select Skin?

Before recommending treatment, we need to understand what we're treating.

Your consultation includes a detailed assessment of your skin and, where appropriate, analysis using our OBSERV Diagnostic System. This allows us to look beyond what is immediately visible at the surface and build a clearer picture of your pigmentation and overall skin condition.

We'll also consider factors such as your skin history, sun exposure, current skincare, previous treatments and whether your pigmentation has changed or returned over time.

From there, we can determine which treatment options may be appropriate and, just as importantly, which ones should be avoided.

How do we treat sun-induced pigmentation?

For suitable sun-induced pigmentation, one of the treatments we use at Select Skin is Lumenis M22 IPL.

IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light, delivers controlled pulses of light into the skin. The light is absorbed by excess pigment, helping to break it down so it can gradually clear.

Pigmented areas may initially become darker following treatment before fading as the treated pigment moves towards the surface and clears.

What makes IPL effective isn't simply the technology itself. Correct assessment, appropriate settings and careful treatment planning all matter.

Not every brown spot should automatically be treated with IPL, which is why we assess your skin before recommending it.

Learn more about Lumenis M22

Can IPL be used to treat melasma?

Melasma needs a different approach.

Unlike straightforward sun-induced pigmentation, melasma can be influenced by hormones, UV exposure and heat, and it has a tendency to recur. Treatments that generate heat or inflammation in the skin therefore need to be considered very carefully.

This doesn't mean melasma can't be improved. It means the treatment plan needs to focus on managing the condition without unnecessarily stimulating further pigment production.

Depending on your skin and the severity of your melasma, your treatment plan may combine carefully selected in-clinic treatments with targeted homecare and strict daily sun protection.

For some clients, we may also recommend speaking with their doctor or dermatologist about prescription treatment options.

What role do chemical peels play in treating pigmentation?

Chemical peels can be useful as part of a broader pigmentation treatment plan because they help improve the appearance of uneven tone and surface pigmentation while supporting skin renewal.

The important word here is appropriate.

The peel we choose, its strength and how we prepare your skin beforehand will depend on the type of pigmentation, your skin condition and how your skin is likely to respond.

For clients prone to melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, controlling unnecessary inflammation is particularly important. More aggressive treatment isn't necessarily better treatment.

This is also why we may ask you to prepare your skin with targeted homecare before commencing a course of peels.

Learn more about our medical-grade chemical peel

Why is skincare important when treating pigmentation?

In-clinic treatments can address existing visible pigmentation, but what you do at home helps us manage the processes that contribute to pigmentation in the first place.

Your homecare will depend on your skin, but ingredients we commonly consider include vitamin A, vitamin B3 or niacinamide, vitamin C and, most importantly, daily broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A supports normal skin renewal and can help improve the appearance of uneven skin tone over time.

Synergie Skin Ultimate A is one of the vitamin A formulations we may recommend as part of a personalised homecare plan.

Learn more about Synergie Skin Ultimate A

Vitamin B3

Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, supports the skin barrier and can help improve the appearance of uneven pigmentation.

Synergie Skin Vitamin B may be recommended where niacinamide is appropriate for your skin and treatment plan.

Learn more about Synergie Skin Vitamin B

Vitamin C

Vitamin C provides antioxidant support and can help improve the appearance of uneven skin tone and pigmentation.

Synergie Skin Effica C combines vitamin C with coenzyme Q10 and may form part of a pigmentation-focused morning routine.

Learn more about Synergie Skin Effica C

Can pigmentation come back after your treatment?

Yes. Pigmentation isn't always something we can simply remove once and forget about.

Sun exposure can stimulate new pigmentation, while melasma in particular is a condition that often requires ongoing management.

Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen  is therefore an essential part of any pigmentation treatment plan. Without consistent sun protection, the improvements we achieve through treatment can be slowed down or undone.

Long-term management may also include targeted skincare, maintenance treatments and adjustments to your routine as your skin changes.

What should I do if I'm not sure what type of pigmentation I have?

You don't need to diagnose it yourself.

If you've been trying brightening products without seeing much improvement, your pigmentation keeps returning, or you're considering IPL, laser or a peel, a consultation is the best place to start.

At Select Skin, we'll assess your skin, explain what we think is contributing to the pigmentation and guide you towards the right combination of in-clinic treatments and homecare.

Book an OBSERV Skin Consultation

We'll help you understand what's happening in your skin before deciding what to do about it.

Thank you for trusting us with your skin.

Mel x

Frequently asked questions about melasma and pigmentation

Is melasma the same as sun damage?

No. Although both can cause brown or uneven pigmentation, melasma is a complex pigmentation condition influenced by factors including hormones, UV exposure and heat. Sun-induced pigmentation develops primarily as a result of cumulative UV exposure.

How can I tell if I have melasma or sun pigmentation?

Melasma often appears as symmetrical patches across areas such as the cheeks, forehead and upper lip, while sun-induced pigmentation is usually more irregular. However, different types of pigmentation can occur together, so a professional skin assessment is the best way to determine the appropriate treatment approach.

Can IPL remove pigmentation?

IPL can improve suitable forms of sun-induced pigmentation by targeting excess pigment with controlled pulses of light. It isn't appropriate for every pigmentation condition, which is why your skin should be assessed before treatment.

Why can melasma come back?

Melasma has several potential triggers, including UV exposure, heat and hormonal influences. Treatment can improve its appearance, but ongoing skincare, sun protection and appropriate maintenance are often needed to help manage recurrence.

Do I need to prepare my skin before a pigmentation treatment?

Sometimes. Depending on your skin and the treatment being considered, we may recommend targeted homecare before treatment to prepare the skin and reduce the risk of an unwanted pigment response.

What is the best treatment for facial pigmentation?

There isn't one treatment that's best for every type of facial pigmentation. The appropriate treatment depends on what's causing the pigmentation, its depth and distribution, your skin type and how your skin is likely to respond. At Select Skin, we assess these factors before recommending a treatment plan.