Let’s Chat Pigment
What Is Pigment?
Pigment refers to melanin, the natural colour your skin produces. Melanin is protective, your skin creates more of it when it’s exposed to UV, heat, hormones, inflammation or trauma.
When this melanin becomes uneven or overstimulated, it shows up on the surface as:
Freckles
Sunspots
Shadowy patches
Dark marks after breakouts
General uneven tone
Some pigment sits on the surface, while other types live deeper within the skin’s layers. This is why your skin can look clear in normal light, but an OBSERV photo reveals underlying pigment patterns long before they’re visible to the naked eye. Seeing this helps us understand the behaviour of your pigment, and what’s triggering it.
Types of Pigmentation
Here are the most common forms of pigmentation we assess in clinic:
1. Sun-Induced Pigment (UV Pigmentation)
This type is caused by ongoing UV exposure and often looks like:
Freckles
Sunspots
Patchy brown discolouration
UV pigment usually deepens during summer or after prolonged outdoor activity. It’s extremely common here in Australian skin due to high UV levels.
2. Melasma
A hormonally influenced pigment that forms symmetrical patches, typically across the:
Cheeks
Forehead
Upper lip
Melasma can darken with sun, heat, stress and inflammation. It behaves differently from regular sun pigment and requires a careful, long-term management plan rather than aggressive treatment, which can worsen it.
3. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)
PIH appears after inflammation or trauma to the skin, such as:
Acne or picking
Eczema flare ups
Burns
Harsh products or over exfoliation
Strong treatments on reactive skin
It presents as flat brown marks and often lingers without the right support.
4. Deep Dermal Pigment
This pigment sits deeper within the dermis, making it more stubborn.
It can appear:
Blue-brown
Grey
Shadowy
OBSERV imaging is particularly helpful in identifying this form, as it’s not always visible under normal lighting.
5. Mixed Pigment / Vascular Linked Pigment
Many people have more than one pigment type at the same time.
Mixed pigment may involve:
UV pigment and melasma
Pigment and underlying vascular redness
Surface pigment and deeper dermal pigment
How We Approach Treating Pigmentation
Pigmentation isn’t a one size fits all concern, the right approach depends on what type of pigment you have, how deep it sits, and what’s triggering it.
Here are the most common pathways we use to support and manage pigmentation safely in clinic:
1. Topical Skincare (Home Support)
Skincare plays a huge role in keeping pigment stable and preventing it from darkening.
Depending on your skin and pigment type, we may recommend products that support:
Skin barrier repair
Gentle exfoliation
Brightening and evening of skin tone
Reducing inflammation (a major pigment trigger)
Daily UV protection (non-negotiable for pigment management)
The right at home routine often forms the foundation of any pigment plan.
2. Peels
Peels can help refine the skin and target surface-level discolouration.
They work by:
Removing dull, uneven surface cells
Supporting skin turnover
Helping the skin look fresher and more even over time
Different strengths and formulations are selected depending on the pigment type. For melasma or sensitive skin, we typically use softer, more controlled peels to avoid overstimulation.
3. Heat Controlled Approaches
Because heat can worsen certain pigment types, particularly melasma, we choose modalities carefully.
For heat-sensitive pigment, we focus on:
Cool, calming treatments
Skin-barrier strengthening
Slow and steady improvement rather than aggressive methods
This is especially important in warmer months.
4. Lifestyle and Trigger Management
Pigment is strongly influenced by daily habits. We often explore:
Sun exposure patterns
Heat exposure (gyms, saunas, hot climates)
Hormonal triggers
Picking or skin trauma
Inflammation or sensitivity
Addressing these factors can make a significant difference in pigment stability.
5. Maintenance (The Key to Long Term Results)
Pigment is something the skin naturally wants to create, especially if the original trigger is still present.
For most pigment types, especially melasma, long term maintenance is essential.
This might include:
Ongoing sunscreen use
Regular gentle treatments
Consistent use of personalised skincare
Periodic reassessments with OBSERV
Where To Start
The best first step is a skin assessment, where we identify:
Your pigment type(s)
How deep they sit
What’s triggering them
What your skin can tolerate
The safest, most effective pathway forward
A tailored plan is always more effective than a generic one.
If pigmentation is something you’re wanting to get on top of, we’d love to guide you.
Book a consultation to start your tailored pigment assessment and treatment plan.
Molly x