Why iron oxide and visible-light protection matter for pigmentation and melasma — and how to choose.
See skin photo records →Melasma and post-inflammatory pigmentation commonly affect an area or pattern of skin. A single pigmented spot that is new, evolving, asymmetric, irregular, multicoloured, bleeding, not healing or different from your other spots needs clinical assessment.
Do not wait for photo monitoring if a mark concerns you. Arrange an in-person examination, and read how lentigo maligna can resemble a sun spot or compare sun spots and skin cancer.
The best sunscreens for melasma are broad-spectrum SPF 50+ and tinted (containing iron oxide), because they block the visible light that drives melasma, not just UV. Wear it every day.
Yes. Iron oxide is the ingredient that lets tinted sunscreens block visible light — the part of sunlight standard UV sunscreens miss, and a key trigger of melasma and pigmentation.
Yes, and for pigmentation you should. Daily use is what stops your skin being re-triggered to make more pigment; occasional use is not enough.
No. Sunscreen helps prevent worsening but does not necessarily fade existing pigment. If a clinician has confirmed the mark is harmless and your concern is cosmetic, discuss evidence-based treatment options with them. Skin360AI can document appearance over time; it is not a treatment.
Usually because the sunscreen blocks UV but not visible light, or is not worn consistently. A tinted (iron-oxide) sunscreen worn daily addresses both.
See how Skin360AI keeps photos of the same skin area connected over time, while clinical decisions stay with a doctor.
See skin photo records → A structured photo record is not a diagnosis, cannot exclude skin cancer and does not replace an in-person examination.