Pigmentation & Uneven Skin Tone
Sun damage, dark spots, pigmentation and uneven skin tone. What can we actually do about them?
First, we need to know what's causing it.
I see a lot of pigmentation concerns in clinic, and the first thing I'll want to know is how yours developed.
Have you spent years in the sun? Did the pigmentation appear after acne? Has it developed alongside hormonal changes? Or have you noticed darker patches appearing as you've got older?
Someone who's spent the last 40 years in the sunshine has a very different skin history from someone dealing with post inflammatory hyperpigmentation after acne.
We need to understand what we're dealing with before deciding how best to improve it.
Can we improve pigmentation?
Yes, absolutely. But we need to be realistic about what we can achieve.
If you've spent decades in the sun without adequate protection, there's likely to be quite a lot of accumulated damage. We're not going to undo 40 years of sun exposure in a couple of treatments.
That doesn't mean we can't make a significant improvement to the appearance of your skin.
With the right skincare, appropriate professional treatments and consistency, we can improve pigmentation, uneven skin tone and overall skin quality considerably.
Some types of pigmentation respond more readily than others. Melasma, for example, can be particularly stubborn and has a tendency to return.
I'll be straightforward with you about what I think we can achieve, how long it's likely to take and what will be involved.
How I approach pigmentation
We'll start with a thorough consultation, looking at your skin history, sun exposure, medication, hormones where relevant, current skincare and lifestyle.
I'll also look at your internal skin health, including factors that can contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation.
Your home skincare programme will involve introducing ingredients specifically chosen to address pigmentation and excess melanin production, improve skin cell turnover and support your overall skin health.
Do you need professional treatments?
Yes. But first we need to get what you're doing at home right.
We'll start addressing the pigmentation with the right active ingredients, then use treatments such as SkinPen microneedling or chemical peels to improve it further.
We'll establish which professional treatments would be most beneficial for your skin during your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Can you improve sun damage and age spots?
Yes, we can make significant improvements to their appearance, although results will depend on how extensive the damage is.
Can you treat pigmentation left behind by acne?
Yes.
Can you treat melasma?
Melasma is a pigmentation condition strongly influenced by hormones. It's something we need to look at on a case-by-case basis.
Will my pigmentation disappear completely?
That depends on the type of pigmentation, how long you've had it and how your skin responds. I'll give you a realistic idea of what we can achieve once I've assessed your skin.
Do I need chemical peels or microneedling?
Yes, but we'll start by getting your home skincare right before introducing professional treatments.
Book your skin consultation
If you're unhappy with pigmentation, dark spots or uneven skin tone, book a consultation and we'll look at what's causing it, what you've already tried and how we can improve it.
Book your skin consultation