Melasma or dark spots? How to tell
How melasma differs from marks left by acne or irritation, and what can keep both from getting darker.
How they look different
Dark spots often show up exactly where a pimple, rash, burn, or other irritation healed. They may look like separate marks scattered across the skin.
Melasma more often looks like flat, blotchy patches on the cheeks, forehead, nose, chin, or above the lip. It often appears on both sides of the face and usually does not itch or hurt.
Why they happen
Marks left after acne or irritation are called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The skin makes extra pigment while it heals.
Melasma is different. Sunlight is a common trigger, and hormone changes during pregnancy or while taking birth control can play a role.
What helps now
Use gentle products and stop using anything that burns or stings. Irritation can make discoloration darker.
Daily sun protection matters for both melasma and dark spots. Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. A tinted sunscreen with iron oxide can also help protect against visible light, which may worsen melasma and dark spots.
When to get help
If you are not sure what is causing a spot or patch, a clinician can identify it and recommend treatment that fits your skin. Get a changing, bleeding, painful, or unusual-looking spot checked in person instead of assuming it is melasma.
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