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
- Sit close to the surface, which generally makes them more responsive to laser
Generally treated with: Pico Laser
The Treatments
Which Laser Works for Which Type?
At Laser by Tom, pigmentation is treated with the Pico laser — a picosecond-pulse device that breaks pigment into fine fragments the body can gradually clear, with less heat than older nanosecond devices. Here's how it applies to each type.
| Pico Laser (Laser by Tom) | What to Watch Out For | |
|---|---|---|
| Sun spots | Typically planned as a course of 1–3 sessions. Spot treatment or full face depending on extent. Outcomes vary between individuals. | Avoid sun after treatment — UV can stimulate new pigment formation quickly. |
| Melasma | Requires careful, low-energy settings and a staged approach. Pico generates less heat than older nanosecond lasers. Often combined with topical brightening skincare. Melasma is a medical condition — assessment by a GP or dermatologist is recommended. | High rebound risk. Aggressive settings or sun exposure after treatment can trigger significant darkening. Requires a managed, staged approach. |
| Freckles | Typically planned as a course of 1–2 sessions. Lighter freckles may need only spot treatment. Outcomes vary between individuals. | Freckles can return with sun exposure. Ongoing SPF 50+ is essential to maintain results. |
| Post-acne dark marks | Typically planned as a course of 2–4 sessions. Targets melanin deposits from post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Outcomes vary between individuals. | 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. A carbon laser peel can be added to a full-face pigmentation session — Sun Damage Only is $199, and $229 with the carbon laser peel included. Current pricing is listed on the treatments and pricing page.
Come in for a consultation. 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 removed for good?
No — freckles are genetic and triggered by UV, so they can return with sun exposure regardless of treatment. Freckle treatment is usually planned as a short course, and how long the result holds varies considerably between individuals and depends heavily on ongoing sun protection. Daily SPF 50+ is the single biggest factor.
Is laser suitable for melasma?
It can be, but melasma needs caution. Pico laser generates less heat than older nanosecond lasers, which matters for melasma. The approach is conservative settings, staged sessions, and rigorous sun protection — with an honest assessment first, because with aggressive settings or inappropriate devices, laser can make melasma worse. Melasma is a medical condition and should be assessed by a GP or dermatologist; laser is one part of managing its appearance, not a cure.
How many sessions does pigmentation take?
Sun spots and freckles are typically planned as a course of 1–3 sessions, and post-acne pigmentation as 2–4. Melasma is more variable and is usually approached as an ongoing management plan rather than a fixed course. These are planning guides, not predictions — the number of sessions needed and the result achieved vary between individuals. Sun protection between sessions is one of the biggest factors.
Why does my pigmentation look darker after treatment?
This is normal and expected. The laser fragments pigment, which then rises to the surface before shedding. How long that takes varies a lot depending on what was treated. Light toning and Carbon Laser Peel sessions usually settle within a day or two. Treatment of individual sunspots, freckles or body pigmentation is different — the marks typically go red, then noticeably darker, form fine crusts, and shed over one to three weeks, and sometimes longer. Body areas take longer than the face. Do not pick or exfoliate — let the skin shed naturally, and plan sessions around events where you would rather not have visible crusting.
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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