Freckles
Small, sun-induced spots that darken with exposure and fade in winter. More common in lighter skin tones, and often genetic.
Chemical peelsSkin Pigmentation
Dark spots are a signal. Not a flaw.
Hyperpigmentation is your skin responding to something — sun, inflammation, hormones, or a barrier that never fully healed. Treat the response without finding the trigger, and it comes back. We start with the trigger.
4–6weeks for mild pigmentation
6–8laser sessions for deeper pigment
IV–VIFitzpatrick types we treat daily
Trigger first, treatment second
The same dark patch can need a peel, a laser, or neither. Diagnosis decides which.
The Core Principle
The wrong tool won't fix the wrong cause.
Every plan we write begins by identifying what is actually driving the pigment — because treating the surface without the trigger only buys a few weeks before it returns.
A peel won't fix
a hormone
A laser won't fix
a barrier
The Basics
What pigmentation actually is
Melanocytes produce melanin — the pigment that sets the colour of your skin, eyes and hair. When something overstimulates them in one area, that area darkens: dark spots, uneven patches, persistent discolouration, or a dull and uneven tone.
- UVA and UVB radiation from sun exposure
- Inflammation or injury — acne, burns, friction
- Hormonal shifts, including pregnancy and thyroid
- Reactions to cosmetics, chemicals or medication
- Aging and slowed skin turnover
Clinical Classification
Four types. Four different answers.
Depth and cause travel together. Getting this right decides whether treatment works — or wastes months.
PIH
The mark acne, injury or irritation leaves behind. The most common form in Indian skin — and the most preventable, if the inflammation is controlled early.
Peels + topicalsMelasma
Symmetrical patches across cheeks, forehead or upper lip, driven by hormones and worsened by sun. Manageable, but it needs maintenance rather than a one-time fix.
Laser toning + topicalsSunspots
Well-defined dark spots from years of UV exposure, usually on the face, hands and forearms. Also called solar lentigines.
Q-Switched laser toningRoot Causes
What overstimulates melanocytes
Most patients present with several of these acting together — which is why single-cause explanations rarely hold up.
Sun exposureUVA and UVB radiation — the single largest driver behind every pigmentation type.
Inflammation or injuryAcne, burns and friction all leave pigment behind as they heal.
Allergies & contact dermatitisCosmetics, fragrances and harsh actives can each trigger a pigment response.
Medication-induced pigmentCertain drugs increase melanin production or photosensitivity.
Genetics & skin typeFitzpatrick IV–VI skin produces more melanin and pigments more readily.
Hormonal changesPregnancy, thyroid imbalance and hormonal contraception all shift melanin activity.
Nutritional deficienciesWorth checking with bloodwork when pigmentation is persistent or unexplained.
Aging & slowed turnoverPigmented cells stay at the surface longer, so spots take longer to clear.
Higher Risk
Who pigments more easily
If you recognise yourself in more than one of these, prevention matters as much as treatment does.
Frequent sun exposure
Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin
Active or past acne
Inflammatory skin conditions
Hormonal imbalance
Harsh or unverified skincare
Daily Care
Five habits that hold results
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30–50, every single day
- Reapply every 2–3 hours whenever you're outdoors
- Protective clothing, and avoid peak sun hours
- A gentle routine built around barrier repair
- No harsh scrubs, no unverified home remedies
Advanced Treatment
Matched to your type
Every option below treats a specific pigmentation type. Note which one applies to you — then let the assessment confirm it.
Chemical peels
Controlled exfoliation that removes pigmented layers and stimulates renewal. Strength and acid are selected for your skin type, never applied off a standard menu.
Laser toning — Q-Switched Nd:YAG
Targets deeper melanin deposits without damaging the surrounding skin. Reduces melanin, brightens tone and improves texture — and is safe for Indian skin when the settings are handled by an experienced operator.
Medical topicals
Prescription formulations built to suppress pigment without triggering irritation — because irritation itself creates new pigmentation. Used only under dermatologist supervision.
Root-cause corrective plans
Where the trigger is internal, a surface plan alone will not hold. We correct what's driving the pigment — and then the treatments above finally stick.
Prognosis
What to realistically expect
Improvement is gradual and layered. Here is the honest timeline.
Phase 014–6 weeksMild pigmentation shows visible improvement
Phase 02MultipleDeeper pigmentation needs a course, not a session
Phase 03GradualLaser results develop over weeks, not overnight
MaintainOngoingSun protection is what prevents recurrence
Diagnosis at Allodermis
The 5-step root cause protocol
01
Root-cause diagnosis
We uncover why pigmentation happens — hormones, nutrition, stress — and address it from the inside out.
02
Right products, only when needed
We prescribe only what truly serves your skin. Nothing more.
03
Dermatologists you can trust
MD Dermatologists from AIIMS New Delhi, trained in the science and the empathy both.
04
Science that serves you
Only USFDA-approved technology and evidence-based protocols. No pseudoscience.
05
Inside-out wellness
Mind, body and skin treated as one ecosystem, not three separate problems.
Questions
Answered plainly
Which treatment is best for pigmentation?
It depends entirely on the type. Melasma responds to laser toning combined with topicals; PIH responds well to peels; sunspots usually need laser toning. That is why assessment comes before any treatment plan.
Is pigmentation permanent?
Most pigmentation can be significantly reduced with the right treatment. Melasma is the exception — it responds well, but requires ongoing maintenance rather than a one-time course.
How many laser sessions will I need?
Typically 6–8, depending on the depth and severity of the pigment. Your dermatologist confirms the number after assessing you, not before.
Can pigmentation get worse if left untreated?
Yes. Continued sun exposure, ongoing inflammation and untreated hormonal triggers all deepen existing pigmentation over time.
Are topical creams safe?
Yes — when prescribed and monitored by a dermatologist. Unsupervised use of actives like hydroquinone is where damage and rebound pigmentation happen.
Start Here
Your skin doesn't need correction. It needs understanding.
Get the trigger identified first — then a plan built for that trigger, not a general pigmentation package.
Book your consultation →Evidence
Scientific references
- Bolognia JL et al. — Dermatology, 5th Edition. Elsevier, 2024. shop.elsevier.com
- Sarkar R et al. — Melasma management review. Indian Journal of Dermatology. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29263529
- Grimes PE — Hyperpigmentation in skin of colour. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19608057
- Manuskiatti W et al. — Picosecond laser in melasma. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32865858
- Davis EC, Callender VD — Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation review. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20725554
Last updated 12 December 2025