The-ultimate-guide-to-pigmentation-its-causes-treatments
The Ultimate Guide To Pigmentation, Its Causes & Treatments
By Mary Basiadima, 15 April 2020
Thank you for visiting our ultimate guide to pigmentation. We hope after you have it you will be better prepared to tackle your . (8 min read)
This guide covers the following areas:
What is pigmentation?
According to the Mariam Webster dictionary pigmentation is :
"a colouring matter in animals and plants especially in a cell or tissue"
What causes skin pigmentation?
We can suffer from pigmentation issues whatever age, sex, and ethnicity we are.
can result in an over or under production of melanin. is produced by the in the . When there is an over production of pigmentation it is called hyperpigmentation, when not enough is produced it is called .
Skincare experts and Doctors are not sure of the exact reason for certain skin pigmentation changes. Other conditions like sun spots have causes.
Pigmentation and hyperpigmentation
Pigmentation of the skin is a misleading phrase as all skin contains . When it is unwanted or a problem it is best referred to as hyperpigmentation.
causes dark patches or spots. They can be beige, brown, red or and can appear anywhere.
The sun is one of the biggest causes of pigmentation, along with and changes. Below are the most common forms of . Sometimes it can be severe and noticeable like vitiligo or albinism. Let’s look at these two of first.
Pop star Michael Jackson is said to have suffered from vitiligo which saw his skin colour change over the years from dark to light.
Other severe skin issues can occur due to conditions, changes and sometimes shock.
Pigmentation seen in is not a severe as the two conditions above. The following types of pigmentation are more common, starting with one of the most .
What is Melasma?
Pigmentation caused by pregnancy is called Melasma. (It is also known as ‘chloasma’ or � mask’). The name comes from melas which is the Greek word for black. It results in brown or of usually on the face.
It is more common in women with up to 50% affected during pregnancy, in people of colour and those who tan easily.
Hyperpigmentation From Sun Damage (Solar Lentigenes)
When on the face it is normally found on the most exposed areas of the cheeks, nose and forehead. They can look like freckles or age spots or just as uneven patches of colour. Sun spots or age spots are commonly found in people over 50 but they can also appear in younger people who have spent many unprotected hours in the sun.
Hyperpigmentation from Acne Scarring
from acne can also cause . It is often red and can be very and difficult to cover up as the skins surface is and uneven.
Acne pigmentation
This is caused by the which can form around damaged skin. It is often referred to as hyperpigmentation and can be with care and . the discoloration and is suitable for all skin types
The left behind by acne can be as bad as the acne and is more permanent. If an gradually fades away red, brown or purplish discolouration, where the spots once were, can permanently be left behind.
Freckles (Lentigenes / Ephelides)
Lentigo is one and are many. Freckles are a type of hyperpigmentation. The for them is ephelides. They happen because more melanin is produced unevenly across the skin. This causes little spots of discolouration known as a .
are not caused by the sun. They’re genetic. They do, however, appear when the skin is to the sun.
What can I do about hyperpigmentation?
The best protection against it to use When it is caused by medication or by certain illnesses it is best to speak to your doctor.
Before have the area checked by a expert, doctor or . Any skin changes should also be checked by a .
Once you are given the go ahead for treatment and have been there is nothing dangerous about your pigmentation, or any recent changes, you can take the next step to have them . But what treatments are available?
Treatments for hyperpigmentation
There are many miracle cures, over the counter lotions and creams all claiming to work wonders for skin pigmentation. The is full of them. And they are usually quite expensive. Only a few of these will have an effect for most people.
That is why it is important to speak to a so they can point you in the right . Trying to navigate through all the claims and promises can leave your skin worse off and out of pocket for hundreds of pounds.
Some of the best for are listed below.
Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments use to reduce pigmentation in either gel or cream form. Many have stronger varieties available via prescription. Applied once or twice a day, over time they help lighten the skin over time.
Creams or gels are most effective on like age spots or melasma. They are also good for patches of across most skin types.
are easily available and a more affordable option for hyperpigmentation. They can take longer to work than professional treatments.
If you are buying online only from and manufacturers you trust.
Face or exfoliate or shed the top layer of your skin. The new skin cells older ones out your skin tone making it smoother.
Face acids are available OTC at beauty clinics and chemists. Always look for an acid content of 10% or less from a trusted source. A higher may of side effects and are best left to in a clinic setting.
Popular acids include:
Face acids are ideal for on lighter skin tones.
Retinoids are some of the oldest skincare ingredients used in the beauty . Derived from A, their small molecular structure lets them deeply penetrate into the skin layers below the epidermis.
Retinoids can be either prescription or OTC, with OTC being weaker. If after a few months you don’ results ask your provider about retinoid tretinoin (Retin-A).
OTC retinoids may be safe for all . If you have darker skin, check with your if you plan on using them long term.
Also retinoids may not be the first line of defence as they are more often used to treat than hyperpigmentation.
Dermabrasion goes much deeper into the layers of the skin then microdermabrasion and is more invasive with a longer healing time required. The results are more effective as a result of the .
For microdermabrasion a is used along with a unique . Tiny crystals are "blasted" over the skins surface in a way.
Old and is smoothed away with clear, left behind. As the upper skin layer is production is . A course of is ideal to target scars or .
can use various methods to lessen the pain to a or so you should not worry about it being .
The must only be carried out by . Too much or over vigorous treatment can damage the skin and actually cause new to form. If applied correctly is very . It can be used on a wide range of acne scarring.
Microdermabrasion works best on superficial scars and for people with . Your skincare will help you decide whether it is the right for you.
works on more serious pigmentation and is far more riskier, a longer of days. There is also a risk of as layers of skin are scrapped away.
A chemical preparation is used to take off of skin. The most popular chemical is glycolic acid mixed with other skin nurturing ingredients.
The preparation is applied by brush and left like a normal facial peel. When it is removed the skin sheds. This happens over the course of a few days. Applying sun block after a chemical peel is critical. If not more pigmentation may occur as the new fresh skin is very and delicate.
Two popular peels many clinics offer are the Cosmelan Depigmentation Peel and the Dermaquest Skinbrite Peel.
which is effective for dark spots and . It is a peel that is suitable for anyone from deep or . It blocks the melanin in problem cells so gets to the root of the problem.
After the peel you will need an home care kit to help improve your results in the weeks and months following the .
This is a more gentle pigmentation peel. It is ideal for targeting sun spots, age spots and . It works by exfoliating the skin encouraging the damaged skin.
Skin lightening peels are also treatment for the skin where age spots or darker pigmentation is . Over a course of treatments, a Alpha Hydroxy is applied under clinical . This a layer of skin fresh, undamaged skin beneath. The is not painful and the results are superb.
Chemical peels are best suited to treat age spots, sun damage, melasma and skin. They also work best on lighter skin tones and may provide quicker results than face acid products.
Non and pain free, laser treatment is very effective against many forms of . It is becoming popular because of the fantastic results and used.
Todays lasers are more advanced and then earlier models and are now very on a range of skin types too.The laser beam targets the unwanted pigmentation in the skin cells. It destroys the pigmentation without affecting the surrounding .
The is then removed from the body naturally over time through its immune system. Laser pigmentation removal is not painful or . After 2-6 most will notice improvements in skin.
Laser work well on Freckles, Sun Spots, Hyperpigmentation, Age spots (solar lentigines), Flat birthmarks (congenital naevi) and is suitable on all skin types.
IPL is a type of (fractional) laser . Non means it heats up the skin and is then ablative procedures which the layers of skin and a longer period.
Intense Pulsed Light treatment (IPL) is great for lighter skin tones. It is different then laser treatment as it uses multiple to target larger areas. Unlike laser which focus a targeted laser on an exact spot at an exact wavelength.
Collagen and growth is stimulated within the dermis. It normally requires sessions.
IPL is used for overall issues, but flat spots especially to this treatment. It may also help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, spider veins, and enlarged pores.
IPL works best for people with fair skin.
What works best for your skin tone?
Skin tone affects the intensity and length of treatments. People with all skin tones can use the treatments mentioned above but if you have a darker skin tone you may need more time for treatments to work.
The following may be ruled out if you easily tan or have darker skin:
high-beam lasers
IPL therapy
chemical peels
microdermabrasion
glycolic or kojic acid
microdermabrasion
peels
laser treatments – only used at lower intensities over a larger number of sessions
Dark Circles Under The Eye Dark (Preorbital Dark Circles)
Dark circles under the eyes or dark occur when the skin below the eyes shows blood and pools. They appear blue in people with fair skin as skin only lets in the blue wavelength of light.
If they appear darker it is because under eye light from blood under the thin skin. The is greater and more apparent the lighter your skin. Skin under your eyes is only 0.5mm thick which to 2mm thick on rest of your body.
Causes range from:
Dark under eye circles can be treated by a number of ways.
Combines microneedling and radiofrequency. It stimulates collagen production and helps to plump and firm the skin. The skin under the eyes becomes fuller unable to reflect blue light as much and reducing the dark .
or "bags" often come with dark . Dermal fillers can help brighter, more youthful eyes. Injectables are not for everyone and can be seen as a step to far but they do work well and are an option.
This works by beneath the skins to start cell regrowth. Heat targets the connective tissue which makes it pull together and lift. It reaches deep into the layers cell regrowth and eliminating dark .
for ages 30 – 50, it can either be used to preventative or . Results over eight weeks and it is considered to be highly effective, safe as well as FDA .
With so many and affordable treatments on offer, you don’t need to suffer with skin any longer. The first step you can take today is to apply good quality high SPF sun cream to your skin. The next step should be to contact a qualified skin care to examine and discuss your skin and draw up a plan for you.
Why not book a free consultation with one of our today. It’s free, the only cost is your time.
Post navigation
Related Articles
If you’re considering non-surgical fat freezing, you’ve probably come across both and CoolSculpting Elite. While they use the same core science, there are some important that can affect your results, treatment time, and overall . At London Laser, we offer both treatments and help clients choose the most suitable option based on…
Quick Answer: What Is Hyperpigmentation? Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition that causes patches of skin to appear darker than the surrounding area. It occurs when the skin produces excess melanin, the pigment responsible for skin colour. Hyperpigmentation can appear as: Brown spots Sun spots Age spots Acne marks Dark patches after skin injury…
HIFU vs Ultherapy vs Sofwave vs Thermage: Comparison Guide skin treatments have become increasingly for lifting and firming the skin without or . With like HIFU, Ultherapy, Sofwave, and Thermage, it’s not always obvious which treatment is the right fit for your skin concerns or goals. While all four work…
Seeing real improvement in acne takes time — and for most people, results begin to appear within 8 to 12 weeks of consistent . Whether you’re starting a clinical skincare plan or a treatment programme, understanding what to expect helps you stay and avoid early . Month 1: Skin Phase In…
– 14 The Pavement, SW4 OHY •
– 1/3 College Hill, London EC4R 2RA •
– 3-5 Vanston Place, London, SW6 1AY •
– 4 Eden Street, KT1 1BB •
– 4 Spital Square, London E1 6DU •
– 177 Wardour Street, London W1F 8WX •
Copyright © 2026 Laser & Skin Clinic. All rights reserved.
LPLC Soho Ltd. Company no: and DR Clinic Ltd. Company registration no: .
·