Pigmentation Problems? How the Sun Affects Your Skin — and What You Can Do About It including Treatments

Sunshine feels good. But for your skin? Not always.

Uneven tone, dark patches, sun spots — if you’ve noticed pigmentation creeping in, you’re not imagining it. UV rays are one of the most common triggers for hyperpigmentation, and they don’t just affect people with fair skin. All skin types can experience discolouration.

What is pigmentation?

Put simply, pigmentation is your skin producing extra melanin (the pigment that gives skin its colour). Sometimes that’s harmless — like freckles. But it can also show up as:

• Melasma (often hormonal)
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (after acne or injury)
• Sun spots or solar lentigines (from UV exposure)

Once the pigment is there, SPF can stop it getting worse — but won’t fade what’s already visible. That’s where treatment comes in.

How we treat pigmentation at No. 23 Skin

As a dermatology clinic (with consultant dermatologists), we treat skin cancer and mole checks as well as pigmentation – this means two things 1. we know our stuff (and can tell if your pigmentation needs extra support), and 2. we see a lot of pigmentation as this often goes hand in hand with people who need their moles checked after spending time in the sunshine.

We offer evidence-based, dermatologist-approved treatments that go beyond creams:

✨ Laser therapy – Targets excess melanin without damaging surrounding skin. Great for sun spots, age spots, and stubborn pigmentation.
🌀 Microneedling – Boosts collagen and accelerates skin turnover, breaking down pigment over time and improving texture. Great for acne scars and some cases of melasma.
📋 Custom plans – We don’t do one-size-fits-all. Your pigmentation type, skin tone, and triggers matter — so we tailor your treatment accordingly – which may include prescriptions and a combination of other treatments.

Here are a couple of before and after pictures from one of our patients undergoing laser treatment:

Is pigmentation treatment safe for my skin type?

Yes. Our team includes experts who specialise in treating pigmentation in all skin tones. We choose the right technology and protocols to get results safely and effectively – we have options from medical treatments through to laser so (importantly) you will get good results under the right care.

Don’t wait for it to fade on its own

Pigmentation often sticks around — and can deepen with more sun. If you’re layering SPF daily (good), but still seeing patches (frustrating), it might be time to get professional support.

👉 Explore pigmentation treatments with our dermatology-led team

Pigmentation is often a big deal for people who come to see us – it can be tempremental, but we know that no matter how big or small, you want it sorted – safely.

Drop me an email with your questions, or book for a consultation with one of our dermatologists or skin experts.

Helen
Co Founder
No. 23 Skin
hc@23skin.co.uk
02039411815

Please note that this post is for information only and should not be used in place of personal medical advice following a consultation with your doctor/dermatologist.