Brown patches, freckles, and flat dark spots can look similar in the mirror, but they do not always come from the same cause. In Houston, Texas, the board-certified physicians, Mohs surgeons, dermatologists, mid-level providers, and cosmetic team at DermSurgery Associates bring medical, surgical, and cosmetic skin care together under one practice. If you are comparing melasma treatment with care for age spots or sun damage, our dermatologists and board-certified physicians can evaluate your skin before recommending treatment.
Why Brown Spots Are Not All the Same
Pigmentation can develop because of hormones, sun exposure, aging, inflammation, or a combination of these factors. Some marks are mainly cosmetic, while others should be checked to make sure they are not a sign of something more serious.
Melasma often appears as broader brown or gray-brown patches, especially on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, or nose. It is more common in women and may be linked to pregnancy, birth control, hormonal changes, or UV exposure. Unlike a single spot, melasma often has a more patch-like pattern.
Age spots, also called lentigines, are usually flat, round brown or black marks. They often appear on areas that get repeated sun exposure, such as the face, hands, shoulders, chest, and arms. These spots may become more noticeable with age and years of outdoor activity.
Sun damage is a broader category. It can include uneven tone, freckles, redness, rough texture, fine lines, and dark spots caused by long-term UV exposure. Age spots can be part of sun damage, but sun damage can also affect the skin in other ways.
When to Have Pigmentation Checked
A dermatologist should evaluate any spot that is new, changing, unusually dark, irregular, itchy, tender, bleeding, or different from the other marks on your skin. A skin exam helps confirm whether discoloration is melasma, a lentigo, sun damage, or a lesion that needs medical care.
That diagnosis matters because treatment options are not one-size-fits-all. Melasma may respond to sun protection, topical medication, and carefully selected in-office treatments. Age spots and sun damage may be treated with chemical peels, Fraxel®, IPL, microneedling, or other light-based treatments, depending on your skin tone, sensitivity, and goals.
Treating Discoloration Safely
The safest plan starts with a clear diagnosis from a team that treats both medical and cosmetic skin concerns. Our providers can examine your skin, review your history, and help you understand which options make sense for your type of discoloration.
Clearer skin starts with knowing what you are treating. For pigmentation concerns in Houston and Greater Houston, TX, contact us at DermSurgery Associates or call 713-791-9966 to request an appointment.
