Skin Pigmentation, Freckles, Melasma, Sunspots – Causes, Removal and Treatment – Auckland NZ

Skin pigmentation is caused by melanin production, which is triggered by hormonal changes (particularly oestrogen) and sun exposure.

Melanin is the brown pigment in the skin, which is produced when exposed to the sun and causes skin to tan, freckle, or produce sun spots or blotchy areas of skin pigmentation (melasma). Skin that has experienced sun damage over the years is more likely to experience changes in skin pigmentation in later life such as sun spots, age spots and brown spots.

Darker skin tones have a higher amount of melanin than fairer skin tones and tend to experience more skin pigmentation issues but have fewer visible signs of ageing.

At Palm Clinic, skin pigmentation treatments are tailored to the specific skin pigmentation concern. Below we explore the most common concerns and their treatments.

Sun Spots Treatment | Freckles Treatment

Many people have freckles or mottled brown spots and patches on their skin. Freckles are caused by sun exposure but they are also hereditary and are often seen in red heads and younger people.

Freckles or sun spots treatment is easily attained with medical grade Elos Medical IPL or ResurFX™ Laser Skin Resurfacing therapy. Freckles and sun spots may reappear with further sun exposure so it is very important to apply a good sunscreen following treatment to maximise and protect your results.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation Treatment

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) occurs after injury to the skin and is far more prevalent in darker skin types such as Maori, Indian, Asian and Pacific Islanders.

PIH appears as a darker area of skin over an injury and is due to excess melanin produced as a result of inflammation. It is often seen as a result of acne or around a surgical scar.

Typically, inflammatory hyperpigmentation resolves over several months but it can persist for 1-2 years and, in rare instances, may be permanent. Treatment is usually conservative, as laser treatments can risk aggravating the inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Our skin therapists are skilled at using medi-facials or chemical peels in the clinic, and active skincare at home to help reduce PIH.

The mainstay is to use a good quality SPF to reduce UV exposure, a topical vitamin A and vitamin B to inhibit further pigment production, and a lightening cream, such as hydroquinone. Your Palm Clinic skin therapist will assess your skin and prescribe the appropriate skincare.

Age spots (liver spots) are larger flat skin spots on the face and hands that appear in middle age after years of sun damage. The medical term for age spots is ‘solar lentigines’. They are caused by an accumulation of the cells that make pigment. They fade in winter but don’t fully disappear.

If the brown marks are scaly, they may be solar keratoses (pre-cancerous sun damage) or seborrheic keratoses. It is also important to distinguish them from early malignant melanoma (lentigo maligna). If a dark spot has appeared or changed recently, has an irregular border, has more than one colour, or you have any concerns, see your dermatologist or GP for a skin check.

Skin pigmentation should always be protected from the sun. They can be faded with creams containing hydroquinone, alpha-hydroxy acids, retinoids and vitamin B. Stronger, quicker options to fade or remove spots are chemical peels (which may include glycolic acid, azelaic acid, vitamin A), Dermapen and many lasers.

Palm Clinic’s most effective treatment option for age spots or freckles is Elos IPL. This medical grade IPL reduces the top layers of pigment, fading the brown spot without reducing the number of melanocytes. Good sun protection is essential after treatment to prevent brown spots darkening again. These lasers also reduce red veins and promote natural collagen formation.

Alternatively, the revolutionary ResurFX™ Laser Skin Resurfacing treatment which partially resurfaces the skin can also be used to remove brown spots. Fine lines and skin texture are significantly smoothed at the same time improving the overall appearance of the skin.

Melasma is the blotchy appearance of brown skin pigmentation on the face.

Melasma – also known as chloasma ‘pregnancy mask’ – appears as blotchy pale brownish pigmentation on the face, especially forehead, cheek and upper lip. It is more common on darker skin types. It is especially common in women aged 30 and over, in pregnant women, and in those taking the oral contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy.

Sun exposure following some cosmetics can cause a phototoxic reaction where the chemical substance absorbs UV light. The resulting pigmentation extends where sun and cosmetic use have coincided, for example down the neck.

Melasma is more stubborn and unpredictable to treat than freckles or age spots because the melanocytes have become sensitised and continue to produce extra pigment with even the slightest hint of sun. Sun protection is an essential part of treatment.

Hormonal changes can aggravate melasma, so after discussion with your GP, you may consider switching your form of contraception.

Our skin therapists will assess your skin and advise on the best medical grade skincare suited to your skin type. These topical creams include a quality SPF, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C and a lightening cream. These all play a different role in helping to reduce pigmentation. They will also prescribe a series of medi-facials or chemical peels, which are a gentle skin pigmentation treatment.

Laser therapy is best avoided for melasma as it will often provide an initial improvement followed by a recurrence.

Seborrhoeic keratosis is often referred to as a senile wart. These benign skin growths can appear anywhere on the body but are most common on the trunk and in areas where there is skin friction such as under the breasts and in the armpits.

Seborrhoeic keratosis is easy to treat as although they are generally raised above the skin surface they do not penetrate deep into the skin. At Palm Clinic we use a procedure called Surgitron which uses radiofrequency to shave the growth off the skin leaving a grazed area which typically heals without a scar.

For more before and after photos of pigmentation treatment please visit our gallery.