Hyperpigmentation

Melasma appears as symmetrical brown or grey-brown patches, usually on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, or bridge of the nose. It is strongly linked to hormonal shifts (pregnancy, contraception, hormone therapy) and worsens with sun and heat. Melasma tends to be chronic and needs consistent care, but it responds well to a combination of daily sun protection, targeted topicals, and in-clinic treatments chosen carefully to avoid excess heat. Even with successful treatment, melasma has a high recurrence rate, which is why strict daily sun protection remains essential. 

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH, is the dark mark left after the skin has calmed down from a breakout, an injury, or a procedure. It is more common on medium to dark skin tones. PIH often fades on its own with time, but daily sun protection and targeted topicals speed up the process, and in-clinic treatments can help stubborn marks. 

Solar lentigines, also known as age spots or sun spots, are flat brown spots that appear on areas exposed to the sun over years: the backs of the hands, the décolleté, the face. They reflect cumulative UV exposure rather than active inflammation. Pigment lasers and chemical peels are well suited to lightening them, alongside daily sun protection. 

Freckles, or ephelides, are small tan or brown spots that intensify with sun exposure and fade in winter, most common on lighter skin tones. They are generally benign and part of your skin's genetic signature. If you notice a spot that behaves differently from your usual freckles (irregular border, growth, change in colour), have it assessed medically to distinguish it from a solar lentigine or another lesion. 

Chemical peels use exfoliating acids to gently remove the outer layer of the skin in a controlled way. Fresher skin comes to the surface and pigment cells reset. Superficial peels suit melasma, PIH, and age spots well. They are usually done in a series, spaced weeks apart. Expected reactions include mild redness, light peeling for a few days, and short-term sensitivity to the sun. Rare risks include irritation, temporary pigmentation changes, and, on darker phototypes, a slight risk of PIH itself, which is why the depth is always tailored to your skin. Peels are not recommended during pregnancy or on active eczema in the treatment area. Our medical team decides the right depth for your skin. 

Pigment lasers deliver very brief bursts of light that shatter pigment particles without heating the surrounding tissue. Q-switched and picosecond lasers, including PicoSure, are chosen for their precision on pigment. Fractional lasers can also help resurface older marks. Because heat can worsen melasma, technology and settings are carefully adapted to each skin type; picosecond wavelengths are usually preferred on medium to dark phototypes to reduce the risk of paradoxical pigmentation. Expected reactions include redness, small dark flakes for a few days, and short-term sun sensitivity. Rare risks include temporary lightening, blistering, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially without strict sun protection after the session. Lasers are not recommended during pregnancy, on recently tanned skin, or on active infections in the treatment area. Our medical team chooses the laser and the settings suited to your skin.  

Microneedling uses very fine needles to create controlled micro-channels in the skin. The skin rebuilds collagen during the healing response, and the channels also improve absorption of brightening serums applied during or after the session. This makes microneedling particularly useful for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and pigmented acne scars. Expected reactions include redness and small pinpoint marks for 24 to 48 hours. Rare risks include infection if aftercare is not followed and, on reactive skin, transient pigment changes. Microneedling is not recommended on active acne outbreaks or open lesions in the treated area. Our medical team sets the depth and frequency suited to your skin.