The Differences Between Melasma, Blemishes, and Seborrheic Keratoses, Explained by a Pigmentation Specialist Near Sinnonhyeon Station

Not all

brown

pigmentation

is the same.

I often meet patients in the consultation room who feel frustrated after trying functional cosmetics and applying brightening ampoules, only to see temporary results.

Although they are all clearly brown, some spread faintly like mist, some appear as distinct, sharply defined spots, and some even feel raised to the touch.

In fact, these three conditions differ in name, the depth at which they are located, and the approach used to address them.

Today, as a pigmentation specialist near Sinnonhyeon Station, I will explain in an easy-to-follow way how melasma, blemishes, and seborrheic keratoses—which I frequently encounter—differ and why distinguishing between them is important.

By the time you finish reading, you may have a rough idea of which category the brown pigmentation on your skin belongs to.

Melasma

A faintly spreading shadow

Melasma is pigmentation that appears as a light brown haze spreading like mist across both cheeks or the forehead.

It is not uncommon for it to extend beyond the epidermis and down into the deeper layers of the dermis.

It often becomes darker when hormonal changes, ultraviolet exposure, and stress overlap.

That is why it is more natural to approach it with the goal of gradually lightening it rather than removing it all at once.

Blemishes and freckles

Distinct small spots

Blemishes and freckles are small pigmented spots that develop in the epidermal layer.

Unlike melasma, they tend to appear as clearly defined spots rather than spreading out.

Because they are located relatively close to the surface, they are generally easier to address than melasma, and recurrence after removal is also less common.

However, they may return if ultraviolet exposure is left unaddressed, so ongoing care is necessary as well.

To make this distinction, it is important to first have the depth of the pigmentation checked by a pigmentation specialist near Sinnonhyeon Station.

Seborrheic keratoses

Raised brown growths

Unlike the two conditions above, seborrheic keratoses are benign changes that rise slightly above the skin and feel somewhat thickened.

They commonly develop on areas that have received prolonged sun exposure after middle age, and they may feel rough when touched.

Because they are not flat pigmentation, they do not tend to improve much with topical products, so they are approached using different methods.

Treatment approaches vary by type of pigmentation

That is why we take different approaches depending on the type of pigmentation.

For broadly spread melasma or blemishes, IPL uses multiple wavelengths of light to lighten the pigmentation, while deeper melasma is addressed gradually with laser toning.

Clearly defined blemishes or thicker seborrheic keratoses may be treated locally with a picosecond laser, CO2 laser, or cryotherapy.

It is generally best to decide together which approach is appropriate after a pigmentation specialist near Sinnonhyeon Station examines the depth of the pigmentation.

Frequently asked questions in the consultation room

Q. Are melasma and freckles removed using the same method?

A. The methods differ because their depths are different.

Freckles are located in the epidermis and are relatively easy to address, while melasma can extend into the dermis, so toning and brightening are considered together.

Q. Is pigmentation treatment possible during the summer?

A. It is possible, but because ultraviolet exposure is stronger, the intensity may need to be lowered and sun protection requires more attention. Autumn through spring is a somewhat more convenient time.

Q. Can seborrheic keratoses also be treated with lasers?

A. Yes. They can be treated with a laser or cryotherapy, and the process is generally completed in one or two sessions. This approach differs from that used for pigmentation.

Q. Can’t cosmetics alone treat it?

A. They can help even out the surface tone, but they have limitations when it comes to established pigmentation. That is why it is best to determine the approach after checking the depth with a pigmentation specialist near Sinnonhyeon Station.

First examine the nature of the brown pigmentation on your skin

Even when the color is the same brown, melasma, blemishes, and seborrheic keratoses differ in both their location and the appropriate approach.

Above all, please remember that sun protection and consistency are the foundation of pigmentation care.

We will work together to care for your skin comfortably over the long term, without going too far.

📍 이지함피부과

429 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul

5th Floor, Suite 502 (Seocho-dong, Dongil Building)

Near Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station

☎ 02-567-5900

🕒 Hours

· Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10:00–19:00

· Saturday 10:00–17:00

· Weekday lunch break 13:00–14:30

· Closed Wednesday, Sunday, and public holidays

The clinic is closed on Wednesdays, Sundays, and public holidays, so please check the available consultation days in advance.

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