Pigmentation is one of the most common — and misunderstood — skin concerns seen in aesthetic clinics.
The category covers several different conditions — sun damage, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and age spots — each with different triggers and each responding differently to treatment.
Treating them as interchangeable leads to poor results and, in some cases, makes the problem worse.
Sun Damage and Age Spots
Sun damage accumulates over years of UV exposure. The melanocytes in the skin — the cells responsible for producing pigment — become overactive in areas of repeated sun exposure, producing the clusters of darker skin that appear from the mid-thirties onwards.
Laser treatments that target melanin specifically, such as PicoSure Pro or IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), can break up these clusters and allow the body to clear them over several weeks.
Melasma: A Complex Condition
Melasma is a different beast. It’s triggered by hormonal changes — contraception, pregnancy, and perimenopause are common causes — and is notoriously difficult to treat permanently.
UV light makes it significantly worse, which means any laser treatment needs to be approached very carefully and always alongside strict photoprotection.
Treating melasma aggressively with the wrong laser will cause a temporary improvement followed by a dramatic rebound. Clinics with experience in diverse skin tones understand this distinction and approach it accordingly.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) follows any kind of trauma to the skin — a spot that’s been picked, a minor burn, or even an aggressive skincare product.
It tends to resolve on its own but can take a year or more. Chemical peels and targeted topical treatments can accelerate this process considerably.
Why Diagnosis Matters
For any of these concerns, the consultation matters as much as the treatment. Identifying which type of pigmentation is present, understanding the underlying cause, and factoring in skin tone all determine which approach is appropriate.
This is exactly why professional skin treatments are best delivered by practitioners who understand dermatological nuance rather than simply booking whoever is available.
Correct diagnosis is the difference between gradual improvement and making pigmentation worse.