I learned about the difference between melasma and freckles and how to manage them.

 

Just as the locations differ, the visible lesions also vary. Melasma is often located deep within the skin, making its borders appear blurry and indistinct to the naked eye. The shape is ambiguous, and in some areas, it spreads widely.

Conversely, freckles are characterized by clear boundaries and appear darker because they are on the surface. They are small, with a diameter of 5-6mm or less, and have a round or oval shape. They can also be angular. Neither type is palpable on the skin surface and both are smooth.

 

◇ Dark skin indicates melasma, light skin indicates freckles

Melasma commonly appears in individuals with darker skin tones. The cause of melasma is exposure to ultraviolet rays, but factors such as pregnancy and oral contraceptives, which influence female hormones, are also known to be significant. It occurs frequently in adult women and women during the postpartum period.

Freckles commonly occur on fair skin. They appear most frequently on the face, but since they develop in areas exposed to sunlight, they can also appear on the shoulders, arms, or anywhere else.

Freckles are also caused by an overproduction of melanin in response to ultraviolet exposure. However, freckles are strongly influenced by genetics. They tend to develop in people who have the gene for freckles from birth. They are commonly seen in teenage girls and women in their early twenties.

 

 

◇ When it appears around the eyes or cheekbones, it is called melasma; when it appears on the cheeks or nose, it is called freckles.

Both can fly to various locations, but there are certain areas where they tend to appear more frequently.

Dark spots tend to form around the eyes and cheekbones. In particular, they often appear as a band along the cheekbones just below the eyes.

Freckles tend to form easily on areas exposed to sunlight. Therefore, they are commonly found on the cheeks and the bridge of the nose, which occupy large areas of the face. During the summer months when UV rays are strong, freckles can also appear on the upper part of the shoulders that are frequently exposed to sunlight.

Both melasma and freckles tend to darken during the sunny summer months and lighten during the winter.

 

◇ What is the treatment method?

Dermatologists say that freckles are difficult to improve with cosmetics alone, but that whitening products containing brightening ingredients can help with melasma. However, they emphasized that melasma is sensitive to irritation and can worsen easily with even minor stimuli, so it is important to reduce friction and irritation that come into direct contact with the skin.

Existing pigmented skin conditions can be eliminated through laser treatment. Melasma located in the dermis is treated by destroying the pigment using lasers with long wavelengths. It is said that more than 10 sessions of low-power laser treatment must be repeated to achieve uniform results without side effects.

On the other hand, freckles are located only in the epidermis layer, so short-wavelength lasers are used. Improvement can sometimes be seen after about 1 to 2 sessions. However, since it is difficult to visually confirm the exact location of the pigment disorder, an accurate diagnosis at the hospital is necessary.

 

 

◇ Preventing Melasma and Freckles

The most important factor in preventing and treating melasma and freckles, as well as preventing their recurrence, is sun protection.

It is best to avoid going out from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sunlight is the strongest. In particular, you should minimize direct exposure to sunlight and apply sunscreen properly.

Sunscreen should be applied 20 to 30 minutes before outdoor activities, and if you are active for a long time, it is recommended to reapply every 2 to 3 hours. Additionally, it is advisable to use a hat or parasol to block sunlight exposure to other areas.