Patches of darker skin, sun spots on the cheeks and forehead, the symmetrical “mask” of melasma, or the marks left behind after spots have healed are all forms of pigmentation, and all are caused by the skin producing too much melanin in one place. Pigmentation is stubborn but it does respond to a structured approach, provided the sun is kept out of the picture.
The main types
Sun spots (solar lentigines) are flat, brown marks on the areas that get the most sun, which appear and multiply from the forties onwards. Melasma is a hormonal pigmentation, usually symmetrical across the cheeks, forehead and upper lip, triggered or worsened by pregnancy, contraceptive hormones and sun. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is the dark mark left after acne, eczema or an injury, more common in darker skin tones. Each behaves a little differently, and the treatment plan depends on which you have.
What helps
Medical-grade chemical peels lift pigment from the surface layers and speed up the turnover that carries it away, over a course of several sessions a few weeks apart. SkinPen microneedling improves the delivery of brightening skincare and helps even out tone. A HydraFacial with a brightening booster is a gentle option for mild sun damage and maintenance. For melasma in particular, prescription skincare to calm pigment production is often the backbone of treatment, with in-clinic treatments supporting it.
Daily, year-round, high-factor sun protection is not optional with pigmentation. Without it, treated pigment returns within months; with it, results last for years.
What a consultation involves
Our skin scanner shows pigmentation beneath the surface, often before it is visible, which helps us see the extent and type. We will ask about your history, hormones and sun exposure, and recommend a course and a home routine. Some types of pigmentation need a dermatologist’s opinion, and we will say so if that applies to you.
