Pigmentation: Types, Causes &
Best Treatments
Healthy, radiant skin is often associated with an even tone — but dark spots, patches, and uneven pigmentation are common at any age. This guide breaks down why pigmentation forms and how it’s treated.
What Exactly Is Skin Pigmentation?
Skin pigmentation refers to your skin’s natural colour, determined by a pigment called melanin, produced by cells called melanocytes. When melanocytes produce too much melanin, patches of skin darken — known as hyperpigmentation. When melanin production drops, lighter patches can form, known as hypopigmentation. Most people seeking treatment are dealing with hyperpigmentation — dark spots, patches, or uneven tone caused by sun exposure, hormones, inflammation, medication, injury, or ageing.
The 5 Types of Pigmentation
Pigmentation isn’t mild-to-severe so much as reversible-to-persistent. The scale below reflects how readily each type tends to respond and fade versus how likely it is to linger or recur.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Flat dark marks left behind after acne, eczema, burns, infections, or cosmetic procedures heal. Often fades gradually on its own, faster with treatment.
Freckles
Small brown spots from increased melanin after sun exposure, often genetic — tend to fade in lower-sun months.
Sunspots (Solar Lentigines)
“Age spots” from years of cumulative sun exposure, on the face, hands, shoulders, and arms — more common with age and slower to fade.
Melasma
Symmetrical brown or grey-brown patches on the cheeks, forehead, nose, upper lip, or chin — linked to hormonal changes and prone to recurrence.
Periorbital Pigmentation
Dark circles around the eyes from genetics, poor sleep, allergies, ageing, or thin skin — usually the most persistent, multifactorial type.
What to Watch For — and Who’s at Risk
Common symptoms
- Brown, black, or grey discoloration
- Uneven skin tone
- Dark marks after acne
- Facial pigmentation
- Pigmentation on neck or hands
- Persistent dark patches
Who’s more at risk
- Medium to darker skin tones
- Frequent sun exposure
- Women experiencing hormonal changes
- Acne-prone skin
- Family history of melasma
- Infrequent sunscreen use
What Causes Pigmentation
Sun exposure
UV radiation stimulates melanocytes to produce more melanin — one of the leading causes of pigmentation.
Hormonal changes
Pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone therapy, and menopause can all trigger pigmentation, particularly melasma.
Acne & inflammation
Inflammation from acne, eczema, psoriasis, or injuries can leave dark marks behind after healing.
Ageing
Years of accumulated sun exposure show up over time as age spots and uneven pigmentation.
Genetics
Some people have a genetic predisposition to conditions like freckles or melasma.
Certain medications
Some antibiotics, anti-seizure medications, and hormonal therapies can increase sun sensitivity or pigmentation.
How Pigmentation Is Diagnosed
A dermatologist typically evaluates through a combination of the following:
Medical history
Skin examination
Dermoscopy, when appropriate
Wood’s lamp examination, in selected cases
Best Treatments for Pigmentation
Treatment depends on the type, depth, and cause of pigmentation — deeper or hormonally-driven pigmentation typically needs a longer, more supervised plan.
Medical options
Available under a dermatologist’s care at our clinic
- Topical medications — regulate melanin production, encourage renewal
- Chemical peels — remove damaged outer layers, improve texture
- Laser treatments — target excess pigment by type and depth
- Microneedling — for selected post-inflammatory pigmentation cases
- Medical skincare — a personalized, dermatologist-guided routine
Home care
A daily routine to support even-toned skin
- Morning: gentle cleanser, antioxidant/treatment product, moisturizer, SPF 30+ sunscreen
- Evening: remove makeup thoroughly, cleanse, apply night treatment, moisturize
- Consistency matters more than intensity
Tips to Prevent Pigmentation
Wear sunscreen daily, reapplying every 2–3 hours outdoors.
Wear hats and protective clothing during peak UV hours.
Avoid picking acne or skin lesions.
Treat acne promptly to reduce the risk of dark marks.
Follow a consistent skincare routine and avoid unnecessary irritation.
Limit sun exposure, especially during peak hours.
When Should You See a Dermatologist?
Consult a dermatologist if you notice any of the following:
- Dark patches continue to increase
- Pigmentation develops suddenly
- Over-the-counter products aren’t helping
- Uneven pigmentation after acne or a cosmetic procedure
- A dark spot changes rapidly in size, shape, or colour
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pigmentation permanent?
Not always. Some forms fade naturally, while others need professional treatment — results depend on the underlying cause and individual skin response.
Can sunscreen reduce pigmentation?
Daily sunscreen use helps prevent existing pigmentation from darkening further and reduces the risk of new UV-related spots.
Can acne leave dark marks?
Yes — post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation commonly develops after inflamed acne heals, especially if lesions were picked or squeezed.
Are laser treatments effective for pigmentation?
Certain lasers may improve selected types of pigmentation when recommended by a dermatologist — suitability depends on skin type and pigmentation depth.
How long does pigmentation treatment take?
It varies by type and severity — some people notice change within a few weeks, others need several months of consistent treatment and sun protection.
Get Your Pigmentation Assessed at Rejuvenare Dermatology
Every skin type and pigmentation pattern responds differently, and the fastest path to even-toned skin is a plan built around your specific cause and depth of pigmentation. Dr. Shobhita Gupta and team offer personalized, evidence-based pigmentation treatment at our Gurugram clinic.
- Sector-87, SilverStreak Multispecialty Hospital, Near Sapphire 90 Mall, Gurugram
- Call or WhatsApp: +91 92540 72619