Pigmentation what causes dark spots?

Pigmentation, dark spots or an uneven skin tone: many people experience them at some point.

With hyperpigmentation, the skin locally produces more melanin (pigment), resulting in areas that appear darker than the surrounding skin.

Pigment itself is completely natural. Melanin gives our skin, eyes and hair their colour and helps protect the skin against UV radiation. However, when pigment production is locally disrupted or stimulated, visible differences in pigmentation can develop.

Not every pigment spot is the same

Pigmentation can have different causes. This is why it is important to first determine what type of pigmentation we are looking at and what may have caused it.

Common types include:

• Sun-induced pigmentation – dark spots that develop following repeated UV exposure and may become more visible over the years.
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) – dark marks that remain after inflammation or damage to the skin, for example following acne.
• Melasma – often larger, symmetrical areas of pigmentation that can be influenced by factors including hormones, genetic predisposition, heat and UV exposure.
• Uneven skin tone – where different areas of pigmentation are visible throughout the skin.

Darker skin tones can also be more prone to developing hyperpigmentation following inflammation. This makes it particularly important to carefully assess the skin and adapt treatments accordingly.

Not every dark spot is suitable for cosmetic treatment. If a pigmented lesion is new, changing or appears unusual, we will always advise you to have it assessed by your GP or dermatologist first.

Pigmentation requires a smart approach

Treating pigmentation usually requires patience, consistency and the right combination of professional treatments and homecare.

At Bodyspice, we therefore look beyond the visible pigment spot itself.

We assess the overall condition of your skin, the type of pigmentation, possible contributing factors and which treatments are both safe and appropriate for your skin.

In some cases, we may recommend preparing the skin at home before starting a more intensive professional treatment.

KRX Mela Defense for homecare

For the daily care of skin affected by hyperpigmentation, we work with the KRX Mela Defense range at Bodyspice.

This range has been specifically developed for skin with pigmentation concerns and can be incorporated into a targeted pigmentation programme.

Homecare plays an essential role when treating pigmentation. Professional treatments can provide the skin with an intensive boost, but what you do at home every day is equally important in supporting and maintaining the results.

Where possible, we therefore combine professional treatments with a carefully selected homecare routine.

KRX MelaPro Cold Peel

One of our more targeted treatments for hyperpigmentation is the KRX MelaPro Cold Peel.

This professional peel has been developed to work on visible pigmentation and uneven skin tone.

The treatment can be incorporated into a pigmentation programme in which professional treatments and homecare are carefully coordinated.

Because not every type of pigmentation responds in the same way, we always assess whether the MelaPro Cold Peel is suitable for your skin and specific pigmentation concerns.

Dermapen4 Microneedling for pigmentation

Dermapen4 Microneedling can also be used when we want to work on certain types of pigmentation and uneven skin tone.

During the treatment, very fine needles create controlled microchannels in the skin. This stimulates the skin’s natural repair and renewal processes.

Depending on the type of pigmentation and the condition of your skin, Dermapen4 can be incorporated into a personalised treatment plan or course.

With pigmentation, it is particularly important that microneedling is used carefully. Not every type of pigmentation – including certain forms of melasma – is automatically suitable for the same treatment or intensity. A thorough skin analysis is therefore always essential.

KRX Green Sea Peel

The KRX Green Sea Peel can also be a valuable treatment for certain types of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin texture.

The Green Sea Peel is not a traditional chemical peel. The treatment stimulates skin renewal and can be used to work on concerns such as pigmentation, uneven skin texture and marks left behind by blemishes.

Which treatment we choose – or how we alternate different treatments within a course – always depends on your individual skin.

What about other professional peels?

In addition to KRX, we also work with a selection of professional Global Peel chemical peels.

Depending on the type of pigmentation, your skin type and the current condition of your skin, these peels may also be incorporated into a personalised treatment plan.

Our aim is not to treat pigmentation as aggressively as possible. With hyperpigmentation, too much irritation or inflammation can actually have the opposite effect and trigger new pigmentation.

A controlled, step-by-step approach that is carefully adapted to your skin is therefore extremely important.

SPF is essential when treating pigmentation

Whatever treatment we choose, it is very difficult to keep pigmentation under control without good sun protection.

UV radiation stimulates pigment production and can cause existing pigmentation to become darker or contribute to the development of new dark spots.

For this reason, we recommend using a good broad-spectrum sunscreen every day during a pigmentation treatment programme – even when the sun is not shining brightly.

For pigmentation-prone skin, protection against visible light may also be relevant. We are happy to advise you on the type of sun protection that best suits your skin and treatment plan.

Think of SPF not simply as something to use during a treatment course, but as an essential part of your daily skincare routine.

Where do we start?

Are you visiting Bodyspice for the first time, are you concerned about pigmentation or are you unsure which treatment is right for your skin? Then book our Bodyspice Skin Experience.

During this appointment, we take extra time to assess your skin and pigmentation. We perform a professional skin analysis and a skin scan using our Observ320, allowing us to assess your skin in more detail than is possible with the naked eye alone.

We also discuss your current homecare routine, sun protection, any previous treatments and what you would like to achieve.

Based on this assessment, we create a personalised treatment plan. This may include KRX Mela Defense homecare, KRX MelaPro Cold Peel, Dermapen4 Microneedling, KRX Green Sea Peel and/or a suitable Global Peel.

Treating pigmentation is not about performing one intensive treatment. The best results come from intelligently combining professional treatments, consistent homecare and daily sun protection.

Together, we work step by step towards a more even, balanced and radiant-looking complexion.