Sun Spots, Melasma & Freckles: What's the Difference and Which Laser Treats Each?
Laser by Tom — Skin Journal
Sun Spots, Melasma & Freckles:
Which Laser Treats Each?
Not all pigmentation is the same — and treating the wrong type the wrong way can make it significantly worse. Here's how to tell them apart and what actually works.
Why it matters
Pigmentation Is Not One Thing.
If you've been researching laser for brown marks on your skin, you've probably noticed that clinics tend to treat all pigmentation the same way. They shouldn't. Sun spots, melasma, and freckles look similar on the surface but have completely different causes, sit at different depths in the skin, and respond to different treatments. Get the approach wrong and you either see no result — or in the case of melasma, trigger a rebound that's darker than what you started with.
The first step to treating pigmentation well is accurately identifying what type you're dealing with. That's what a proper consultation is for.
"Treating melasma like a sunspot can cause a rebound that's darker than what you started with. Getting the diagnosis right first isn't a formality — it's the whole game."
Tom Seelbach, Laser by TomKnow the Difference
The Three Main Types of Pigmentation
Here's how to tell them apart — and what each one responds to.
Type 01
Sun Spots & Age Spots
- Flat, clearly defined brown or dark patches
- Caused by cumulative UV exposure over years
- Common on face, hands, décolletage, shoulders
- Usually appear from mid-30s onward
- Uniform colour within each spot
- Don't change with hormones or seasons
Best treated with: Pico Laser
Type 02
Melasma
- Larger, diffuse patches — often symmetrical on both sides of face
- Caused by hormones + UV — common in pregnancy, on the pill
- Typically appears on cheeks, upper lip, forehead
- Worsens in summer, may improve in winter
- Sits deeper — dermal and epidermal layers
- High rebound risk if treated aggressively
Best treated with: Pico Laser (carefully) + skincare
Type 03
Freckles
- Small, light-to-medium brown spots scattered across face
- Genetic — common in fair-skinned individuals
- Appear in childhood, darken with sun, fade in winter
- Sit close to skin surface — easier to treat
- Often loved rather than treated — personal preference
- Respond very well and quickly to Pico laser
Best treated with: Pico Laser (fast results)
The Treatments
Which Laser Works for Which Type?
At Laser by Tom, pigmentation is treated with the Pico laser — a picosecond-pulse device that shatters pigment into fine fragments the body clears naturally, without generating the heat that can trigger rebound darkening. Here's how it applies to each type.
| Pico Laser (Laser by Tom) | What to Watch Out For | |
|---|---|---|
| Sun spots | Excellent response — typically clears in 1–3 sessions. Spot treatment or full face depending on extent. | Avoid sun after treatment — UV can stimulate new pigment formation quickly. |
| Melasma | Effective but requires careful, low-energy settings. Pico is safer than older nanosecond lasers due to reduced heat. Often combined with topical brightening skincare. | High rebound risk. Aggressive settings or sun exposure after treatment can trigger significant darkening. Requires a managed, staged approach. |
| Freckles | Fast results — often clears in 1–2 sessions. Lighter freckles may need only spot treatment. | Freckles can return with sun exposure. Ongoing SPF 50+ is essential to maintain results. |
| Post-acne dark marks | Responds well — typically 2–4 sessions. Breaks down melanin deposits from post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. | Active acne should be settled before treating pigmentation — treating over active breakouts can worsen marks. |
The Melasma Problem
Why Melasma Needs Special Attention
Melasma deserves its own section because it's the type most likely to be mishandled. Unlike sunspots — which respond straightforwardly to laser — melasma is driven by an ongoing hormonal process and sits partly in the deeper dermal layer of skin. It reacts to heat, UV, and hormonal changes.
The risk: aggressive laser treatment generates heat that can trigger melanocytes (pigment cells) to produce more melanin — causing a rebound that leaves you darker than before. This is why the type of laser, the settings used, and the aftercare protocol all matter enormously for melasma specifically.
What works for melasma
The right approach
- Pico laser at conservative, low-heat settings
- Sessions spaced further apart to avoid cumulative heat
- Topical brightening agents (vitamin C, niacinamide, azelaic acid) alongside laser
- Strict SPF 50+ every day — including during treatment
- Avoiding heat triggers between sessions (saunas, hot showers, intense exercise)
- Addressing hormonal factors where possible
What makes melasma worse
What to avoid
- Aggressive or high-energy laser at standard sunspot settings
- Heat-based devices including some IPL configurations
- Any sun exposure — even brief, unprotected exposure undoes treatment
- Stopping mid-course before results consolidate
- Harsh exfoliants or retinoids immediately post-treatment
- Ongoing hormonal triggers without addressing the cause
At Laser by Tom
How Pigmentation Is Treated Here
Every pigmentation consultation at Laser by Tom starts with identifying exactly what type — or combination of types — you're dealing with. Sun spots, melasma, and freckles can overlap, and mixed presentations are common, particularly in women over 35.
For most sunspot and freckle cases, that's a straightforward Pico laser course. For melasma it's a more managed, staged approach — often combining low-energy Pico with a skincare protocol and strict sun avoidance. Every full-face pigmentation session at Laser by Tom also includes a carbon laser peel at no extra cost, which adds an immediate glow and enhances the overall result.
Consultations are always free. Come in, I'll look at your skin, and we'll work out what's actually going on before recommending anything.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked
How do I know if I have melasma or sun spots?
The main clues: melasma tends to appear as larger, more diffuse patches — often symmetrically on both cheeks, upper lip, or forehead. It commonly appears or worsens during pregnancy or while on the contraceptive pill, and tends to be worse in summer. Sun spots are usually more clearly defined, darker, and appear on areas of highest UV exposure. A consultation will confirm which type you have.
Can freckles be permanently removed?
Freckles respond very well to Pico laser — they often clear in 1–2 sessions. However, because freckles are genetic and triggered by UV, they can return with sun exposure. With diligent SPF 50+ use, most people maintain clear skin for 12–18 months or longer between sessions.
Is laser safe for melasma?
With the right laser, the right settings, and the right aftercare — yes. Pico laser is considered safer for melasma than older nanosecond lasers because it generates significantly less heat in the skin. The key is conservative settings, staged sessions, and rigorous sun protection. In inexperienced hands or with inappropriate devices, laser can make melasma significantly worse.
How many sessions does pigmentation take?
Sun spots and freckles often clear in 1–3 sessions. Post-acne pigmentation typically takes 2–4 sessions. Melasma is more variable — some clients see good improvement in 3–4 sessions, others require 6+ with ongoing maintenance. Sun protection compliance between sessions is one of the biggest factors affecting results.
Why does my pigmentation look darker after treatment?
This is normal and expected. The laser shatters pigment into tiny fragments that rise to the surface before flaking away over 5–10 days. Do not pick or exfoliate — let the skin shed naturally. The temporary darkening is a sign the treatment is working.
Can I treat pigmentation while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — laser treatment is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you have melasma triggered by pregnancy, focus on strict sun protection during this time and address the pigmentation after breastfeeding has finished.
The Bottom Line
Get the Diagnosis Right First.
Sun spots, melasma, and freckles all look like brown marks — but they sit in different layers of the skin, have different causes, and need different approaches. Treating them the same way is the main reason laser for pigmentation doesn't always deliver, and why melasma sometimes rebounds worse than before.
If you're not sure what type you're dealing with, that's exactly what a free consultation is for. You'll leave knowing exactly what's on your skin and what the realistic options are — no obligation to proceed.
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