Pigmentation on the face - where it comes from and how to remove it

Pigmentation is one of the most common reasons why patients ask me about “evening out” their skin tone. It is usually not dangerous, but it can be stubborn and tends to come back. In short: it is caused by an excess of melanin, and effective management always combines two things - lightening the existing spots and consistent sun protection. Below I explain where pigmentation comes from, how laser pigmentation removal in Wrocław with IPL light works, who it is suitable for and what you can realistically expect.

What pigmentation is

Pigmentation is a local accumulation of pigment (melanin) in the skin that produces a spot darker than the surrounding skin. This one everyday name covers several different conditions, which are treated somewhat differently:

• Melasma - symmetrical, brown-grey patches with irregular borders, most often on sun-exposed areas of the face (cheeks, forehead, above the upper lip). It is more common in women; it is promoted by UV radiation and hormonal factors, including pregnancy and contraception. It is chronic and recurrent [1].
• Solar lentigines (sun spots) and freckles - the result of cumulative sun exposure, typically on the face, décolletage and hands.
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) - develops after inflammation or injury to the skin: after acne or eczema, and also after treatments. Epidermal pigmentation is brown and usually fades within months, whereas deeper, dermal pigmentation can be blue-grey and much more persistent [2].

Where pigmentation comes from

Skin colour is determined by melanocytes, which produce melanin. When they are stimulated, they produce too much of it and deposit it unevenly - and a spot forms. The most common triggers are UV radiation, hormonal fluctuations and skin inflammation [1][2]. That is why pigmentation so readily intensifies in summer and after sun exposure.

It is worth knowing that susceptibility is individual. People with darker skin have more reactive melanocytes and a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation - in patients with acne and dark skin, PIH can occur in as many as about two thirds of cases [2]. This matters because it affects the choice of method and how cautiously the treatment is carried out.

How IPL light works on pigmentation

IPL (intense pulsed light) is broadband light in the range of approx. 400-1400 nm, shaped by filters so that it reaches a specific target in the skin. It differs from a laser, which emits light of a single wavelength [3]. It works on the principle of selective photothermolysis: melanin absorbs the light and converts it into heat, which breaks up clusters of pigment - the body gradually removes them on its own, and the skin tone evens out [3].

The same technology is also used for vascular lesions and erythema, because the light is also absorbed by haemoglobin [3]. It is the method of choice for flat, superficial pigmentation - unlike raised lesions such as moles or fibromas, which I write about in the post laser mole removal step by step.

Who this treatment is for - and when it is not

In my practice I consider IPL light mainly for superficial sun-induced pigmentation, solar lentigines and freckles [3]. I approach melasma more cautiously: it is chronic, recurrent and can be resistant to treatment, and poorly chosen light can make it worse [1][2]. That is why the decision is always preceded by an assessment of the type of pigmentation.

What the treatment looks like and how many sessions are needed

The treatment begins with a consultation and an assessment of your skin tone and the type of pigmentation. The light exposure itself is usually well tolerated - patients feel warmth and gentle “snapping”. The effect of the light is cumulative, so a course of 3-6 treatments every 2-4 weeks is usually planned; deeper or more numerous lesions may require more sessions [3].

Results and how long they last

The skin tone evens out gradually, with each successive session. The result is individual and depends on the type of pigmentation, your skin tone and - crucially - sun protection. I do not promise permanent “removal once and for all”: pigmentation, especially melasma, tends to recur, and the most common cause of recurrence is a lack of consistent photoprotection [1][2]. So instead of guarantees, I discuss a realistic plan and maintenance skincare with the patient.

Safety and contraindications

IPL is a recognised and usually safe method, but it is not free of risk: temporary redness, swelling, small scabs and, less often, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, especially in people with darker skin [3]. The most common contraindications, which we assess during the consultation, include [3]:

• a fresh tan or sunburn,
• pregnancy and breastfeeding,
• an active skin infection in the treatment area (e.g. cold sores - if you are prone to them, antiviral cover may be needed),
• taking photosensitising medicines or products (e.g. retinoids),
• suspicious pigmented lesions - these must be diagnosed first.

The final assessment of suitability for the treatment is always carried out by a doctor.

Aftercare and prevention

• use a cream with a high SPF (at least SPF 30, ideally 50) every day, all year round - this is the basis of both prevention and maintaining the result [2][3],
• avoid the sun and sunbeds until the skin has healed; do not pick off the scabs,
• care for your skin gently, following the instructions given at the clinic,
• come for a follow-up visit and consult us about any worrying symptom.

Summary

Pigmentation is an excess of melanin caused mainly by the sun, hormones and inflammation. IPL light can effectively lighten superficial lesions, but it requires a course of treatments, an individual assessment and - above all - consistent sun protection, without which the pigmentation comes back. Most importantly: have any doubtful pigmented lesion assessed by a doctor first.

Sources

1. Sathe NC, Launico MV. Melasma. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; updated 31.01.2026. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459271
2. Lawrence E, Syed HA, Al Aboud KM. Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; updated 25.11.2024. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559150
3. Gade A, Vasile GF, Hohman MH, Rubenstein R. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; updated 01.03.2024. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580525