Pigmentation

Pigmentation problems are common in NZ because of our very high UV exposure.

The most common pigmentation problems are brown sun spots, melasma, age spots, seborrhoiec keratosis and pigmented birth marks.  Pigmentation issues very depending on the natural colour of the skin.  Treatments include fade creams, IPL, Elos Aurora, laser treatments like Fraxel Dual and in some cases biopsy or skin excision is required to exclude skin cancer such as melanoma.

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) occurs after injury to the skin from whatever cause and is far more prevalent in darker skin types such as Maori, Indian, Asian and Pacific Islanders. PIH appears as a dark brown area over the area of previous injury and is due to excess melanin being produced by melanocytes as a result of the inflammation.  Typically PIH resolves over several months but can persist for 1-2 years and in some cases can be permanent. Treatment is generally patience as it will resolve and treatments risk further inflammation and therefore further PIH.  However hydroxyquinone can be useful in some patients and others benefit from mild treatments of Elos Aurora, IPL or Fraxel Dual laser.