Melasma vs Solar Lentigo

How to tell the difference — key features compared side by side.

Feature
Melasma
Solar Lentigo
Category
Common
Benign
Key feature
Brown or gray-brown facial patches triggered by hormones and sun. Extremely common in women during pregnancy or on birth control.
Flat brown spots from cumulative sun exposure. Completely harmless - but sometimes confused with lentigo maligna (early melanoma).
Risk factors
Female sex (90% of cases); Pregnancy; Oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy
Cumulative sun exposure; Fair skin; Age over 40
Action needed
Symmetrical brown patches on the face that concern you
An age spot that is changing shape, developing irregular borders, or showing multiple colors

Melasma

Melasma is a common pigmentation disorder causing symmetrical brown or grayish-brown patches on the face, most often on the cheeks, forehead, bridge of the nose, upper lip, and chin. It affects an estimated 5 million Americans, predominantly women.

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Solar Lentigo

Solar lentigines are flat, well-defined, uniformly tan to dark brown spots caused by cumulative ultraviolet exposure. They are extremely common, appearing on the face, hands, forearms, shoulders, and chest of virtually everyone with significant sun exposure history.

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Does yours look more like melasma?

Quick self-check

Does this look like melasma? Answer 2 questions.

Are there symmetrical brown patches on both sides of the face?

Did it start or worsen during pregnancy, birth control, or with sun exposure?

Still not sure?

Our full ABCDE checker evaluates 5 clinical criteria dermatologists use.

Full ABCDE check →