What Is Pigmentation & Sun Damage?
Pigmentation refers to patches of skin that appear darker than the skin around them. It happens when melanin — the pigment that gives skin its colour — is produced unevenly or in excess in certain areas. Sun damage is one of the most common causes, showing up as sun spots, age spots or solar lentigines: flat, brown-to-tan marks that typically appear on the face, hands, shoulders and chest after years of UV exposure.
This page covers general pigmentation and sun-related pigmentation. If your main concern is melasma (larger, symmetrical patches often linked to hormones) or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark marks left behind after acne, injury or inflammation), those have their own dedicated pages with more targeted advice — see Melasma and Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH).
What Causes It?
- Cumulative UV exposure — the leading cause of sun spots and age spots, even from everyday incidental sun exposure over years
- Natural ageing — melanin production becomes less even as skin ages
- Genetics — some people are simply more prone to pigmentation than others
- Skin injury or inflammation — can trigger localised dark marks (see our PIH page for more on this)
- Hormonal changes — a common trigger for melasma specifically (see our Melasma page)
How We Assess It at Cosmetic Skin Co
Every pigmentation concern is different, so we start with a free skin consultation. Lisa will examine your skin, talk through your history and sun exposure, and identify the type and depth of pigmentation you’re dealing with. From there, she’ll put together a personalised treatment and skincare plan — because not every pigmentation treatment suits every skin type, and getting this right the first time matters.
Recommended Treatments
- Pigmentation Spot Treatment — Pigmentation Spot Treatment — Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser that targets pigment directly, fading spots and sun damage over the following weeks.
- Laser & IPL Facial — Laser & IPL Facial — our all-round Laser & IPL treatment; effective for sun spots, uneven tone and general brightening, and suits every skin concern.
- Skin Peels — Skin Peels — chemical exfoliation to resurface the skin, fade sun damage and even out tone and texture.
- IPL Skin Rejuvenation — IPL Skin Rejuvenation — a broad-spectrum light treatment that supports this concern alongside its wider skin rejuvenation benefits.
Recommendations depend on your skin type, the depth of pigmentation and your downtime preferences — this is exactly what your consultation is for.
Recommended Skincare
- Cosmetic Skin Co Reusable Makeup Removal Pads (3-Pack) — Cosmetic Skin Co Reusable Makeup Removal Pads (3-Pack) — Lisa’s own go-to, used with every client in clinic; ultra-fine reusable microfibre pads that gently lift makeup and daily grime with just water.
- Royal Oil C — Royal Oil C — Vitamin C & Kojic Acid illuminating oil that hydrates while helping to brighten and even skin tone.
- Day Bright Serum — Day Bright Serum — an AHA & Vitamin C brightening serum that targets dullness and supports an even complexion.
- Good Morning Daily Face Sunscreen SPF50+ — Good Morning Daily Face Sunscreen SPF50+ — broad-spectrum daily SPF; non-negotiable for preventing new sun-related pigmentation and protecting treatment results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pigmentation be removed completely?
Most pigmentation can be significantly faded and evened out, though results depend on the depth and cause of the pigmentation. Ongoing sun protection is essential to maintain results.
How many treatment sessions will I need?
This varies by treatment and by how much pigmentation you have — Lisa will give you a personalised estimate at your consultation.
Will my pigmentation come back?
New sun exposure can trigger new pigmentation, which is why daily SPF is recommended as part of your ongoing skincare routine.
Is treatment painful, and is there downtime?
Most pigmentation treatments involve mild discomfort described as a light snapping sensation, with little to no downtime — specifics depend on the treatment chosen.
Can I have pigmentation treatment in summer?
Yes — summer treatments can still go ahead, as long as your skin is well prepped beforehand and you continue to follow your post-treatment care instructions.
Book a Consultation
Ready to talk about your pigmentation and sun damage? Book a free skin consultation with Lisa and get a treatment plan tailored to your skin.