Three pigment problems. Different causes. Different treatments. One assessment to sort them out.
Most patients who come in for pigmentation concerns are dealing with more than one type. Sun spots from years of UV. Darkening left behind by acne or inflammation. Melasma triggered by hormones. They look similar on the surface but behave very differently beneath it.
Treating the wrong type with the wrong approach is one of the most common mistakes in aesthetic medicine. Getting it right starts with knowing exactly what you are dealing with.
Flat, well-defined brown spots caused by cumulative UV exposure. Most common on the face, hands, and chest. Generally the most responsive to treatment.
In Fort McMurray, 17 hours of summer daylight and snow reflecting up to 80% of UV mean cumulative exposure adds up faster than most people realize.
Darkening that follows skin injury, acne, burns, or procedures. More common and more persistent in medium to darker skin tones. Requires a conservative approach because aggressive treatment can make it worse.
Hormonally driven patches, typically on the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip. Triggered by pregnancy, contraceptive use, or menopause. The most challenging type to treat. Aggressive treatment can worsen it. Maintenance is ongoing.
Each type responds differently to treatment. Sun spots generally clear well with targeted laser. PIH needs gentle handling and barrier support first. Melasma needs patience, conservative settings, and realistic expectations.
Many patients have a mix of all three. Your clinician will use specialized lighting during assessment to classify what is present before recommending any treatment.
Multi-wavelength laser that targets melanin at different depths. First-line for sun spots. Used with reduced, carefully calibrated settings for PIH and melasma.
Learn more about TORO →Broad-spectrum pulsed light for diffuse pigmentation and tonal unevenness across larger areas. Safe for all skin types when properly calibrated.
Learn more about MOTUS PL →Fractional resurfacing that stimulates the skin to replace pigmented tissue with new, evenly toned skin. Used conservatively for melasma and more aggressively for stubborn sun damage.
Learn more about HELIX →Plasma skin regeneration for localized pigmented lesions where precise depth control is needed.
Learn more about NEOGEN PSR →Supports skin barrier health and hydration alongside pigment treatments. A healthy barrier recovers faster and is less prone to triggering new pigmentation after treatment.
Learn more about EXION →The single biggest risk in pigment treatment is making it worse. Rebound darkening happens when the wrong energy is applied to the wrong pigment type, particularly in darker skin tones. This is why assessment comes before treatment, and why your clinician will classify your pigment type, depth, and skin tone before touching a device.
Conservative treatment that improves gradually is always better than aggressive treatment that creates new problems.
Full breakdown of all pigment types, treatment strategies, and skin tone safety.
Learn morePost-inflammatory darkening often accompanies textural scarring.
Learn moreOverall tonal unevenness and loss of radiance.
Learn moreThe right treatment depends entirely on what type of pigmentation you have. Book a consultation to find out before pursuing any approach.