Melasma, pigmentation or dark spots? How to tell the difference

"Pigmentation" is a word people use for any darker patch of skin. But dermatologists separate it into a few different types, and each one responds to care a little differently. Here is a simple way to tell them apart.

1. Sun spots (solar lentigines)

• What they look like: small, flat, round brown spots with clear edges.
• Where: cheeks, nose, forehead, hands, the areas that get the most sun.
• Why: years of UV exposure.
• What helps: a brightening serum plus strict daily SPF 50.

2. Post-acne marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)

• What they look like: flat brown, dark or reddish marks where pimples used to be.
• Where: wherever you had breakouts, often the jawline and cheeks.
• Why: inflammation tells skin to make extra melanin while it heals.
• What helps: controlling acne first, never picking, then a gentle brightening serum and sunscreen. These marks often fade well within a few months.

Note: if the area is dented or raised, that is a scar, not a mark. Read acne marks vs acne scars.

3. Melasma

• What it looks like: larger, blotchy, often symmetrical brown or grey-brown patches with soft edges.
• Where: both cheeks, upper lip, forehead, bridge of the nose.
• Why: a mix of hormones (pregnancy, pills, thyroid), genetics, UV and visible light, and heat.
• What helps: melasma is stubborn and can return. It needs consistent sun protection that covers visible light, gentle brightening and patience. Avoid harsh peels or scrubs at home; they can make it worse.

Why visible light matters so much

For years, sunscreen was only about UV. We now know that visible light, the light from the sun and even strong indoor lighting, can deepen pigmentation in medium and darker skin tones. Tinted sunscreens contain iron oxides that help block it. That is why PRO TACTO is a tinted SPF 50 with visible-light protection.

A routine that suits all three

1. Morning: gentle cleanser → CROCUS ELIXIR → PRO TACTO SPF 50.
2. Night: cleanser → CROCUS ELIXIR.
3. Outdoors: reapply sunscreen every 2–3 hours.

Give it 8–12 weeks before judging results.

When to get it checked

If you are unsure which type you have, if patches appeared during pregnancy, or if they keep spreading, speak to a doctor. A free Burnett consultation can help you build the right plan.

More on causes and routines: dark spots and pigmentation guide.

Patch test every new product on your inner arm for 24 hours. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have an ongoing skin condition, book a free consultation with a Burnett doctor before starting.