The Blog How Does Pigmentation Removal Work?

What Is Pigmentation Removal and How Does It Work?

Have you noticed a lot more talk around pigmentation lately?

It has become a more common concern in skincare discussions, and advances in treatment technologies now offer more options for managing unwanted pigmentation. While some types of pigmentation, like freckles or sunspots, are harmless, others may affect skin appearance.

Facial pigmentation such as sunspots, melasma or freckles is a common skin concern. In some cases, it may contribute to uneven skin tone or asymmetry. There are various treatment options available to help reduce the appearance of pigmentation and support clearer, more even-toned skin.

At Contour Clinics, we offer consultations for those seeking support with unwanted pigmentation. Our doctor-led team is experienced in assessing a range of pigmentation concerns and can discuss suitable non-surgical options based on individual needs.

What Causes Skin Pigmentation?

Pigmentation removal is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. There are many types of pigmentation and they can have different causes and therefore require different treatment methods.

Pigmentation can present itself as patchy discolouration of the skin, freckles, sunspots, sun damage, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.

Depending on the type, it can be caused by sun damage, hormonal changes, ageing, genetics, skin injury or inflammation, or sometimes a combination of these elements. The most common culprit of pigmentation is UV rays as the sun is what induces melanin production in the skin.

Melanin is produced when the skin is going into self-protective mode. It is what we create when we tan, and it is also what creates those brown spots, dark patches, shadows or freckles. When this skin discolouration occurs, it is a sign of the pigment going into overproduction as a defence mechanism, also known as hyperpigmentation.

Pigmentation can appear on different parts of the body depending on its type and cause, and generally speaking is caused by overproduction of melanin, which is the substance the body produces that makes us darken when we tan.

Sun damage, also called sunspots, liver spots, or solar lentigines, most commonly appears on the face, chest and hands or anywhere that has been overexposed to the sun over a long period. These effects of sun damage generally start appearing with age, but can also appear in younger patients who have not used a physical sunblock regularly.

Melasma, which is a hormonally incurred hyperpigmentation, is often caused by pregnancy or hormonal changes associated with ageing and tends to appear on the face, specifically the cheeks, sides of the face, hairline and upper lip. It is sometimes referred to as the mask of pregnancy. Some people experience melasma as a result of genetics, or are even more prone to developing this type of pigmentation due to their ethnic background. Melasma affects all skin types but is prevalent among Asian women, as this skin type naturally has more melanin and is therefore more prone to discolouration.

Post-inflammatory pigmentation is caused by damage to the skin, most commonly from acne. This can leave a darkening of the skin even once the acne has cleared due to skin trauma.

Can You Remove Pigmentation?

Pigmentation can often be reduced in appearance depending on its type and the treatment selected. Not all laser or light-based devices are appropriate for every kind of pigmentation. Different technologies may be used depending on whether pigmentation is superficial or deeper in the skin.

Melasma, a hormonally influenced form of pigmentation, typically requires gentle non heat based approaches. Treatment recommendations are made based on a careful assessment of your skin type and condition during consultation.

At Contour Clinics, our clinicians can access a variety of technologies and will recommend an approach tailored to your specific pigmentation concern following an in depth consultation.

When planning a course of treatment, our team aims to tailor each approach to suit the individual’s skin type and concern while prioritising safety and realistic outcomes.

Can You Remove Pigmentation from Home?

There are steps you can take at home to minimise your pigmentation. This may involve preparing your skin in anticipation of your in-clinic pigmentation removal treatment or caring for your skin after your appointments.

Depending on the type and depth of pigmentation, in-clinic options such as laser treatment may offer a more effective approach than topical treatments alone.

Beforehand, we recommend that patients apply a specially formulated serum daily for four weeks leading up to their first appointment. This product helps support treatment outcomes by helping to prevent future pigmentation from developing. It works by inhibiting melanin overproduction, which may lower the risk of the skin being triggered into producing more pigment during treatment.

At Contour Clinics, we recommend Aspect Dr Complete Pigment Plus, which contains Tranexamic Acid and Tyrostat 11 to help brighten and lighten discolouration whilst supporting the skin in resisting further pigment formation.

You should also be diligent with aftercare, such as using a physical sunscreen, to protect your skin from UV damage due to its newly sensitive state post-treatment. It is important that physical rather than chemical sunscreen is used, as only this type contains zinc to physically block UV rays. Chemical sunscreen, on the other hand, contains ingredients that absorb and scatter the rays, which in some cases can lead to pigmentation.

Some pigmentation sits deeper within the skin and may require in-clinic treatments to support visible improvement. These treatments are designed to target specific areas of concern based on your skin’s characteristics.

How to Remove Pigmentation with IPL Technology

Intense Pulsed Light treatment targets pigmented areas by delivering light energy, which is absorbed by the pigment in the skin. This process helps to break down the pigmentation so it can be naturally eliminated by the body.

Although classed as laser therapy and very similar to a laser, IPL is technically not a laser. Unlike laser which steadily focuses energy in one steady beam, IPL emits light in multiple wavelengths, scattering or pulsing its focus and therefore causing less damage to the outer layer while still penetrating far enough to reach the deeper layer of the skin.

How Does Pigmentation Reduction Treatment Work?

The skin and laser therapists at Contour Clinics will assess your concerns in a complimentary consultation where you will discuss options for treatment, the number of treatments necessary and the likely outcome.

Our clinicians are highly trained professionals who are experienced in ascertaining which laser technology will be suitable for your particular pigmentation issue.

Is Pigmentation Removal Treatment Permanent?

While pigmentation reduction may be maintained over time, discolouration or new spots can reappear, particularly with ongoing sun exposure or hormonal changes. In some cases, maintenance treatments may support ongoing results.

Isolated pigmentation, such as sunspots, may respond more noticeably to treatment, while other types, like melasma, can be more persistent and influenced by ongoing hormonal or environmental factors.

IPL treatments can be an effective option for reducing certain types of pigmentation. Some patients may notice visible improvement within a few sessions, although results vary depending on the individual’s skin type, pigmentation depth and treatment plan.

Treat Skin Pigmentation with Contour Clinics

Contour Clinics offers IPL technology as one of the available options for supporting patients with pigmentation concerns. Our clinicians work closely with patients to tailor each treatment plan.

• Takes 5 to 30 minutes depending on the area treated
• Results may be seen within 1 to 3 months
• Multiple treatments may be required to achieve the desired result

We offer complimentary consultations and follow-up appointments to help patients feel informed and supported throughout their treatment journey.

We have clinics located in Miranda, Newtown, Five Dock and Brisbane and a team of more than 20 experienced and trusted Cosmetic Doctors, Cosmetic Injectors and Skin and Laser Therapists.