Skin Pigmentation Advice and Action

Pigmentation can be very distressing to both men and women. Women generally suffer more with pigment disturbance in the skin due to changes or fluctuations in hormone levels. Puberty, pregnancy and the menopause can all cause pigmentation especially on the face. 

There are two main types of pigmentation problems. Hormonal and sun induced. Hormonal pigmentation on the face, otherwise known as ‘melasma’ (or ‘chloasma’ when occurring during pregnancy) can occur at any age but normally affects women from their 20’s onwards.  

Melasma

This is very tricky to treat. It should not be treated with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) systems as this will almost certainly make it worse. It can be treated with a fraxellated laser, but there is a 50% recurrance rate. The most common way of treating melasma is with bleaching agents like hydroquinone which can be obtained from a dermatologist. 

Sunspots, age spots or liver spots

Sunspots, otherwise known as ‘solar lentigos’ are usually epidermal meaning they occur in the upper layers of the skin. These are perfect for treatment with laser or IPL and are easily and safely removed. For more information check out our treatment page on pigmentation