Pillar guide
Pigmentation and Sun Damage: A Complete Guide
Pigmentation is caused by melanin being produced unevenly in the skin. The 3 most common types are sun-induced pigmentation (age spots and freckles), melasma (hormonally influenced and often symmetrical across the cheeks), and post-inflammatory pigmentation left behind after acne or injury. They look similar but respond very differently to treatment, which is why identifying the type matters more than choosing a device.
Why pigmentation is so common in Adelaide
South Australia has some of the highest UV levels in the world. Cumulative sun exposure over an Australian lifetime is the single largest driver of the pigment most people want treated, and much of it was acquired decades before it became visible.
This is why pigmentation often seems to appear suddenly in your 30s or 40s. The damage was already there. What changes is the skin’s ability to keep it suppressed.
The 3 types, and why the difference matters
Getting this wrong is the most common reason pigmentation treatment fails or rebounds.
- Sun-induced pigmentation: age spots, freckles and uneven tone in sun-exposed areas. Generally the most straightforward to treat.
- Melasma: larger, often symmetrical patches across the cheeks, forehead or upper lip. Influenced by hormones and heat as well as UV, and prone to returning if treated too aggressively.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: marks left behind after a breakout, injury or overly aggressive treatment. Often fades on its own, but slowly.
Melasma in particular can be made worse by heat and by over-treatment. A proper assessment before any device is used is not optional.
How laser treats pigmentation
Laser works by delivering energy that is absorbed by pigment in the skin. Picosecond lasers such as PicoSure Pro deliver that energy in pulses measured in trillionths of a second, which works largely through a photomechanical effect rather than by heating surrounding tissue.
That distinction matters for pigment work, and particularly for melasma, where excess heat can trigger a rebound. It is one of the reasons picosecond technology is commonly selected for pigmentation concerns.
What supports the result at home
- Daily broad-spectrum SPF. Without it, pigmentation treatment is a cycle rather than a course.
- A consistent routine using appropriate actives, introduced gradually rather than all at once.
- Avoiding heat exposure where melasma is involved, including hot showers and prolonged sun.
- Patience. Pigment clears as the skin renews, which takes weeks rather than days.
Common questions
Can pigmentation be removed permanently?+
Pigmentation can often be improved substantially, but the underlying tendency remains, and ongoing UV exposure will produce more over time. Melasma in particular is managed rather than cured. Any clinic promising permanent removal is overstating what is achievable.
How many treatments will I need?+
It depends entirely on the type of pigmentation, how deep it sits and how your skin responds. Pigment concerns are almost always approached as a course rather than a single visit, and progress is reviewed as you go.
Will it come back?+
Sun-induced pigmentation will recur with further UV exposure, which is why daily SPF matters so much. Melasma is prone to returning and is best thought of as an ongoing management plan rather than a one-off treatment.
Keep reading
All treatments require an individual consultation and suitability assessment. Results vary between individuals. Information on this website is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.