Why the type matters

Brown marks look similar at a glance, but they sit at different depths and have different causes. A treatment that clears freckles in a session or two can make melasma darker. That is why the first step at Dernia Clinic Myeongdong is a diagnosis by a licensed medical doctor, often under magnification, before any laser is chosen. Many faces have more than one type, and the plan treats each one appropriately.

The main types at a glance

Type	What it looks like	Main cause	Usual approach
Freckles	Small light-brown dots across the nose and cheeks	Genetics plus sun	IPL or pico laser
Sun spots	Flat brown spots with clear edges, larger than freckles	Years of UV exposure	IPL or pico laser
Melasma	Blotchy, symmetrical patches on cheeks, forehead or upper lip	Hormones, UV, heat	Gentle toning series, sun protection
Post-inflammatory marks	Brown marks where acne or irritation healed	Inflammation	Time, toning, sun protection
Seborrheic keratosis	Raised, waxy or rough brown spots	Age and genetics	CO2 laser removal
Hori's nevus	Gray-brown spots on the cheekbones	Pigment deeper in the skin	Several laser sessions after diagnosis

Freckles

Freckles are inherited and darken with sun exposure, especially in summer. They sit in the upper layer of the skin, so they often lighten noticeably after one or two sessions of IPL photofacial or pico laser. New freckles can appear with more sun, so daily protection keeps the result. See freckle treatment.

Sun spots and age spots

Also called solar lentigines, these appear from the 30s onward on the face, hands and chest. They respond well to IPL and pico laser. Treated spots usually darken and then flake off over 5–7 days. See sun spots and age spots.

Melasma

Melasma is driven by hormones, sunlight and heat, and is more common in women, during pregnancy and with hormonal contraception. It appears as symmetrical patches and often returns after strong treatment. Aggressive lasers or IPL can make it worse, so doctors use gentle, low-energy laser toning or pico toning in a series, combined with strict sun protection and sometimes prescribed topical or oral medicine after a medical review. Expect improvement and control rather than a cure. Read melasma treatment options in Korea and melasma treatment.

Post-acne and post-inflammatory marks

Brown marks left after acne, bites or irritation are more common in medium and darker skin tones. They usually fade over months, faster with sun protection and gentle toning. Red marks are different and respond to vascular lasers such as Excel V. See post-acne marks.

Raised and deeper spots

Raised brown spots such as seborrheic keratoses are not treated with toning; they can be removed precisely with CO2 laser spot removal, which leaves a healing patch for 5–10 days. Hori's nevus sits deeper in the skin and usually needs several laser sessions spaced well apart.

Pigment treatments compared

Treatment	Best for	Downtime	From price
Pico toning	Melasma, uneven tone, post-acne marks	None to mild redness	₩69,000
Laser toning	Melasma maintenance, brightening	None	₩49,000
IPL photofacial	Sun spots, freckles, diffuse redness	Spots darken and flake for 5–7 days	₩89,000
CO2 spot removal	Raised spots	Healing patch for 5–10 days	₩15,000 per lesion

When a spot needs a medical check

See a doctor promptly about any spot that is new and growing, changing in shape or color, has irregular edges or several colors, itches or bleeds. These can be signs of skin cancer and need medical assessment before any cosmetic treatment. A doctor should never laser a lesion that needs further investigation.

Daily habits that keep pigment away

SPF 50+ PA++++ every morning, reapplied when outdoors.
A hat and shade at midday, even on cloudy days.
For melasma, avoid heat as well as sun: saunas and hot yoga can trigger it.
Don't pick spots or acne, which leaves new marks.
Add brightening skincare such as niacinamide or vitamin C once your skin has recovered from treatment.

Planning pigment treatment

Sessions: freckles and sun spots often need 1–3 sessions; melasma usually 5–10 toning sessions plus maintenance.
Season: autumn and winter are ideal, with less sun; see planning treatments by season.
Sun protection: daily SPF 50+ and a hat, especially after treatment.
No tan: laser on tanned skin raises the risk of side effects.

The Pigment Clear Package combines pico toning, IPL and LDM from ₩259,000. Compare pico toning vs IPL. Prices are in Korean won (KRW), exclude 10% VAT, and are confirmed at your consultation. Book a consultation for a diagnosis and a plan, or browse all skin concerns.

How can I tell if I have melasma or sun spots?

Melasma usually forms blurry, symmetrical patches on both cheeks or the forehead and worsens with sun, heat or hormonal change. Sun spots are individual spots with clearer edges. A doctor's examination confirms which you have, and many people have both.

Can IPL make melasma worse?

Yes, it can. Strong heat-based treatments may darken melasma, so doctors usually choose gentle toning instead and treat any sun spots around it carefully.

Do freckles come back after laser?

Treated freckles fade, but new ones can appear with sun exposure because the tendency is genetic. Daily sunscreen and occasional maintenance keep skin clearer.

How many sessions does melasma need?

Usually 5–10 gentle toning sessions spaced a week or two apart, followed by maintenance. Improvement is gradual, and sun protection is essential to keep it.

Can I have pigment laser with a tan?

It is safer to wait until a tan fades. Tanned skin absorbs more laser energy, which raises the risk of burns and new dark marks.

Is pigment treatment safe for darker skin tones?

Yes, with the right device and conservative settings. Darker skin is more prone to marks after inflammation, so doctors favor gentle toning and may test a small area first.

Pigmentation concerns

Melasma — causes and treatment options
Sun spots and age spots — clearing defined spots
Freckles — lightening and prevention
Uneven skin tone — overall brightening

Treatments

Pico toning — gentle pigment reduction
IPL photofacial — sun spots and freckles
Laser toning — melasma management

Compare and packages

Pico toning vs IPL — which suits your spots
Pico toning vs laser toning — two toning options
Pigment Clear Package — from ₩259,000

Guides and FAQs

Melasma treatment options in Korea — in depth
Sun protection after pico toning — protect results

Dernia Clinic Myeongdong

Melasma vs Freckles vs Sun Spots: Pigmentation Types Explained