What you might notice
- Patchy brown or grey-brown areas across the cheeks or forehead
- Dark marks left behind after spots have healed
- Uneven tone that worsens after summer
Why it happens
Ultraviolet and visible light, hormonal changes including pregnancy and the contraceptive pill, heat, and inflammation from acne or over-treatment.
How it's approached at the clinic
- 01
Identify the type of pigmentation before choosing a treatment
- 02
Prime the skin with home care, often for several weeks
- 03
Introduce peels or other resurfacing at a depth your skin tolerates
- 04
Protect with broad-spectrum SPF every day, all year
What to expect, honestly
Pigmentation is managed rather than cured, particularly melasma, which can return with sun and hormonal triggers. Progress is measured over months, not days.
Questions about pigmentation & uneven tone
Can melasma be cured?
Melasma is a recurring condition rather than a one-off problem. It can usually be significantly improved and then kept stable with maintenance and daily sun protection, but anyone promising a permanent cure is overstating what is possible.