How to differentiate melasma from freckles?

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Have you ever wondered about the dark spots on your face? Are these simple freckles or something serious like melasma? Although both of these look similar, understanding the key differences cacn empower you choose the right skin approach.Don’t worry, this read aims to explain How to differentiate Melasma from Freckles? Stay with us and keep reading to get informed!

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Freckles Vs Melasma

Feckles refer to flat, small, brown, or beige circular spots that appear over the face, shoulders, and arms. They are often caused by genetic factors and sun exposure. Freckles are most noticeable during summer after excessive sun exposure.

Melasma is a common skin condition in which gray-brown or brown patches appear mainly on the face. These are more symmetrical as compared to freckles and visible on the forehead, cheeks, and nose. Birth control pills, hormonal changes, sun exposure, etc can lead to such conditions.

How to differentiate Melasma from Freckles?

Melasma and freckles are related, but there exists a great difference as well. The table below highlights the differences between freckles and melasma:

Feature	Freckles	Melasma
Appearance	Flat, small, and circular	Irregular skin patches
Size	Usually 1-5 nm, scattered around	Larger in size
Color	Brown or dark brown	Grayish or dark brown
Causes	Sun exposure, genetic factors, etc	Hormonal changes during pregnancy, birth control pills, etc.
Common Areas	Mainly targets the arms, face, and shoulders	The upper lip, nose, and forehead are covered.
Seasonal effect	Becomes lighter in winter and darker in summer	Stays persistent throughout all seasons. It might get worse with the sun’s rays.
Affected skin kind	Common in people with fair skin.	Found in darker skin tones, individuals
Treatment	Goes away with sun protection; minor cosmetic procedures are also available.	Melasma Treatment includes topical creams, chemical peels, or laser therapy.

Gain flawless skin by booking us!

Good news for you, there is no need to worry about Freckles or melasma anymore. Yes you read that right, as Enfield Royal Clinic provides experienced dermatologists who will further clarify: How to differentiate Melasma from Freckles? Reach us quickly by booking a consultation now!