| | |

Your guide to freckles, melasma and sun damage – understanding and treating them effectively

ByPolly Buck

As the daylight hours increase, so does our sun exposure – and whilst we all welcome the warmth and light, at this time of year we can notice changes in our skin tone.

When our skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, melanin production is naturally stimulated, causing areas of visible pigmentation.

However, not all pigmentation is the same – understanding the difference between freckles, melasma and sun damage is the first step towards choosing the most effective treatment to help manage them.

Here, we explain the difference between these common skin features and the gentle treatments that can reduce them to achieve a more even skin tone.

A beautiful young woman with pale skin and natural freckles throughout her face and on her bare shoulders.

Why pigmentation is more visible in spring and summer

Melanin pigment is produced by skin cells called melanocytes, which produce melanin to protect the skin from UV damage.

Increased UV exposure can lead to:

  • Causing freckles to become more visible
  • Darkening existing areas of pigmentation
  • Triggering new areas of pigmentation to form

Even small amounts of sun exposure, particularly when skin isn’t protected by a suitable SPF of at least SPF30, can quickly increase the appearance of pigmented skin.

Understanding the different types of pigmentation

Freckles, melasma and sun damage each have specific characteristics that differentiate them:

What are freckles?

Young man with red hair, pale skin and dense freckles throughout his face.
  • Freckles are small, flat, light brown spots typically around one to two millimetres in diameter.
  • They are usually attributed to genetics and the presence of the MC1R gene and appear during early childhood.
  • Freckles are most common in people with light skin and red or blonde hair.
  • They tend to fade in the autumn and winter months and reappear when sun exposure increases in the spring and summer months.

What is melasma?

Close up of a woman’s cheek showing an area of melasma pigmentation.
  • Melasma often appears as patchy pigmentation that is flat in texture.
  • Melasma can affect the cheeks, upper lip, nose and chin, usually in a symmetrical form. 
  • According to the British Skin Foundation, common triggers for melasma include hormonal fluctuations, sun exposure and skin irritation.
  • Melasma can run in families.

Read more information about melasma from the NHS. What is sun damage (also known as sun spots or solar lentigines)?

Close up of a young woman’s face showing her cheek where there are darker patches indicating sun damage.
  • Sun damage or sun spots (also known as solar lentigines) usually appear as larger, well-defined dark spots.
  • It is caused by cumulative exposure to the sun’s UV rays over time.
  • Sun damage is common on the face, hands, décolletage and shoulders.

The British Skin Foundation provide advice for staying safe in the sun.

Our blog article about skincare during hot weather has further information and guidance.

Identifying your pigmentation type

Our simple guide can help you identify what type of pigmentation you may have:

At a skin analysis consultation, we will be able to accurately assess your pigmentation and advise you about the best treatment approach for your specific skin needs. We will also distinguish pigmentation from other skin features such as moles. Please note that any changes in moles should always be checked by your GP.

We can also assess conditions such as acne and acne scarring, and recommend suitable treatment options to help manage them.

Treatment options for freckles, melasma and sun damage

Pro Yellow Laser – our gold standard for pigmentation

Pro-Yellow Laser treatment delivers a 577nm wavelength of pure yellow light, which precisely targets and breaks down excess melanin, whilst leaving the surrounding skin unharmed.

Importantly, the treatment also promotes collagen production for longer-term skin rejuvenation and clarity.

Benefits of Pro Yellow Laser:

  • Breaks down excess melanin safely
  • Additionally reduces redness and vascular concerns by targeting haemoglobin as well as melanin pigment
  • Minimal downtime
  • Suitable for a wide range of skin tones, from Fitzpatrick I to V
  • Promotes collagen production for overall skin rejuvenation

Effective treatment for:

  • Melasma
  • Sun damage
  • Uneven skin tone
Before and after photos showing a young woman whose freckles are significantly reduced in appearance and number after Pro Yellow Laser treatment.
The Pro-Yellow Laser has visibly reduced areas of dense pigmentation for our patient and revealed an overall clearer and more refined complexion.

Read more about this gentle treatment.

Chemical Peels – for resurfacing and brightening the skin

Our range of skin peels work by deeply exfoliating the upper layers of skin.

Peels promote the skin’s natural ability to renew and heal itself and are highly effective at treating areas of pigmentation, acne and rosacea, as well as the signs of ageing such as fine lines and crepiness.

Benefits of skin peels:

  • Improve skin clarity and brightness
  • Help reduce superficial pigmentation
  • Specialist peels such as Cosmelan and Dermalan are specifically designed for melasma and are recommended for some patients
  • Promote overall skin renewal

Effective treatment for:

  • Sun damage
  • Improving skin texture
  • Targeted treatment of hyperpigmentation in some patients
Before and after photos showing a young woman with patches of pigmentation particularly on her forehead and cheeks that have been significantly improved by chemical skin peel treatment.
This patient’s sun damaged skin has been brightened and refreshed following her peel treatment.

Microneedling – for skin regeneration

Microneedling creates controlled micro injuries in the skin that stimulate the skin to heal itself and produce new collagen fibres.

Treatments such as Dermapen microneedling target and treat uneven skin tone and sun damage along with concerns such as acne scarring, stretch marks, open pores, facial scarring, fine lines and wrinkles.

During treatment, specially formulated serums containing hyaluronic acid, vitamins and antioxidants further enhance the regenerative effects.

Benefits of microneedling:

  • Improves overall skin tone and texture
  • Targets specific areas of pigmentation
  • Can be combined with nourishing serums
  • Results can be enhanced in combination with other treatments

Effective treatment for:

  • Post-inflammatory pigmentation
  • General skin rejuvenation
Before and after photos showing a woman with patches of pigmentation that have been significantly improved by Dermapen microneedling treatment, her face is generally fresher and more even toned.
Our patient’s pigmentation is significantly reduced with an overall improvement in her skin tone and texture following Dermapen microneedling treatment.

Topical Treatments – supporting and maintaining results

Topical skincare plays an important role in treating pigmentation and maintaining your results after in-clinic treatments.

Active ingredients help can help regulate melanin production and improve overall skin clarity. Our web shop enables you to search for both melasma and uneven skin tone and PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) to help you find the right product for your needs. Plus, we are always on hand to offer advice and guidance.

Benefits of topical treatments:

  • Help to fade existing pigmentation and prevent new marks from forming
  • Enhance and prolong clinical treatments
  • Improve overall skin tone and brightness

Active ingredients:

  • Skin brightening
    • Arbutin
    • Kojic acid

Included in products such as AlumierMD Intellibright Complex and Environ Multi-Bioactive Mela-Prep Lotion

  • Antioxidant benefits
    • Vitamins C and E
    • Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

Included in products such as Environ Youth EssentiA Vita-Peptide C-Quence Serum and Mesoestetic Age Element Brightening Concentrate

  • Cell turnover
    • Retinol (Vitamin A)
    • AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy acids)

Included in products such as Prfkt Pep Talk Instant Mask Peel and ZO Skin Health Skin Brightening Program

Perhaps the most important step in managing pigmentation is ongoing sun protection. We offer a range of gentle and lightweight sunscreens to protect and nourish your skin.

A personalised approach to pigmentation treatment

If you’re noticing pigmentation becoming more visible as we move into sunnier months, now is the ideal time to address it.

At Hannah London, we specialise in a personalised treatment approach to safely and effectively restore brighter, more even toned skin. Please contact us to book your consultation.

Similar Posts