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What Causes It?

• Sun damage — UV stimulates melanocytes to overproduce melanin; this accumulates over years as spots and uneven tone.
• Hormonal changes — melasma is oestrogen-driven, common in pregnancy, on the pill and in perimenopause.
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) — melanocytes respond to inflammation from acne, dermatitis or treatment by producing excess pigment.

Treatments That Help

• AlumierMD brightening peels
• NeoGen PSR — for diffuse photoageing and sun damage
• AlumierMD brightening skincare

The Non-Negotiable: SPF 50 Every Day

No pigmentation treatment will hold without daily SPF 50. UV is the primary driver of melanin production — treating pigmentation without sun protection is treating a symptom without addressing the cause.

A Note on Melasma

Melasma requires particularly careful management. Some treatments can temporarily worsen it if skin is not properly prepared. Assessment at consultation determines the safest approach for your specific type.

Your Treatment Pathway

Consultation — pigmentation type assessment→SPF 50 and brightening skincare established first→Peel course or NeoGen after skin preparation→Ongoing SPF maintenance indefinitely

Frequently Asked Questions

Will pigmentation come back after treatment?

Without consistent daily SPF, yes. UV restimulates melanin production continuously. Treatment removes existing pigment; SPF prevents its return.

Is melasma different from other pigmentation?

Yes, significantly. Melasma is hormonally driven and triggered or worsened by UV. It requires a different treatment approach and is more likely to recur. Assessment is essential.

Can dark circles under my eyes be treated as pigmentation?

Sometimes. Under-eye darkness has several causes — thin skin showing underlying blood vessels, structural shadowing, and true pigmentation. The cause determines the treatment.

How many peel sessions are needed?

A course of three to six sessions is typical for established pigmentation. Results continue developing between sessions as brightened cells turn over.

Does vitamin C actually help pigmentation?

Yes — topical vitamin C in a stable, well-formulated clinical product inhibits melanin production and provides antioxidant protection against UV damage. AlumierMD formulations are clinically dosed to be effective.

Related Concerns

Skin concerns often overlap. You may also find these pages helpful:

• Dull or Dehydrated Skin — uneven tone and dullness often co-exist
• Skin Texture — often driven by the same sun damage
• Acne Scarring — PIH is a sub-type of post-inflammatory change
• Perimenopausal Skin — melasma and hormonal pigmentation connection

People Who Viewed This Page Also Looked At

• Dull Skin
• Skin Texture
• Perimenopausal Skin

Unsure Which Treatment Is Right?

Deciding between peels and NeoGen for pigmentation?

• Skin peels in Worthing — a doctor’s guide
• What is NeoGen Plasma?
• The Doctor’s Complete Guide to Skin Treatments

Further Reading – Dr Halliday’s Clinical Guides

• Skin peels in Worthing
• What is NeoGen Plasma?
• The Doctor’s Guide to Skin Concerns
• Hormonal acne in your 30s and 40s
• Worthing skin coastal guide