What types of skin pigmentation exist?
The majority of marks that present in the clinic belong to four broad groups, according to their origin. Sun spots or lentigines are due to sun exposure accumulated over the years and respond particularly well to certain types of laser and to intense pulsed light (IPL). Post-inflammatory marks appear following previous inflammation, as in the case of acne, and can be treated by combining depigmenting agents, peels, and laser. Melasma combines a hormonal factor with sun exposure, it is the most complex and requires a combined and very closely controlled protocol. And vascular marks, which are in fact redness caused by small and dilated vessels, are addressed with intense pulsed light and vascular laser.
Why are not all marks treated in the same way?
Each type of mark is located at a different depth and responds to a different mechanism. A sun spot, for example, is a superficial deposit of pigment caused by the sun; melasma is a deep process influenced by hormones, and vascular «marks» are a problem of blood vessels, not of pigment. This is why the very same laser can be an ideal solution for one but a mistake for another. For this reason, the prior diagnosis, using dermoscopy, is not a mere formality but is what defines the correct treatment and prevents possible complications.
How are sun spots or lentigines treated?
These are the marks that respond best. The most recent scientific evidence, based on a review of dozens of clinical trials, places laser and intense pulsed light above the other options, with clearance rates reaching 90% with the most effective techniques, such as intense pulsed light and the picosecond laser. A few sessions are usually sufficient, and the exact number depends on the quantity and the age of the marks. The CO2 laser, by contrast, is reserved for improving skin texture rather than for flat marks.
Can post-acne pigmentation be removed?
Yes. The marks left behind when acne heals tend to lighten over time, and this process is accelerated considerably by combining depigmenting agents, mild chemical peels and, where appropriate, laser or intense pulsed light. However, consistency and daily photoprotection are essential.
Why is melasma so difficult to remove?
Melasma combines hormonal predisposition with sun exposure; it is chronic and tends to recur. This combination makes it more difficult to manage. It requires a combined protocol of topical and oral treatments, maintained over time and with strict photoprotection. Being especially careful here is essential: a poorly indicated laser can worsen melasma, which is why it must always be prescribed by a specialist.
How are vascular marks removed?
Redness and small visible vessels are not pigment, but capillaries with visible blood within them. They therefore respond to technologies that act on the smallest blood vessels, such as intense pulsed light or vascular laser. Recent clinical studies show clearance rates exceeding 75% in the majority of patients after several sessions, with very high satisfaction and an excellent safety profile.
Do over-the-counter creams work for marks?
In part, yes, but not all of them and not for every type of mark. Basic care such as good cleansing, hydration and, above all, daily photoprotection does produce real improvements and lays the essential foundations of any treatment. Without this basis, no procedure will achieve its maximum results. However, what these creams cannot do is replace the diagnosis or remove an already established pigment. The real mistake is not using a cream, but self-medicating without knowing which type of mark you have: with melasma, for example, the wrong product can aggravate the condition considerably.
Pricing and sessions at De Felipe Dermatology Clinic:
The price is generally adjusted to each case, according to the type of mark, the number of sessions required, and the technique used, and can therefore be confirmed during the assessment with a more personalised quote. However, as a guide, prices may be as follows:
- Photobiological Therapy red – 635 nm: £50
- IPL laser (Intense Pulsed Light): £250
- Spot/Vascular Laser IPL 540 nm: £250
- Chemical peels: £250
Frequently asked questions about skin pigmentation:
- How many laser sessions do I need to remove sun spots?
- A few sessions are usually sufficient, although the number depends on the quantity, age, and type of mark.
- Can post-acne marks be removed?
- Yes. They lighten over time, and the process is accelerated with depigmenting agents, chemical peels, and laser, always accompanied by photoprotection.
- What is the difference between melasma and sun spots?
- Lentigines are due to accumulated sun damage and respond very well to laser. Melasma, on the other hand, has a hormonal component, is chronic, recurs frequently, and requires a combined and prudent protocol.
- How much does pigmentation treatment cost at the clinic?
- It depends on the type of mark and the number of sessions. Although prices for each type of technique can be found on the website, a more personalised quote can be provided for each patient during the medical consultation.
If you have marks and do not know which type they are, or have doubts about them, the first step is not to try a treatment but to obtain a reliable diagnosis that allows us to choose the most appropriate treatment method. At Clínica De Felipe, each mark is assessed by specialists, and the safest and most effective protocols are designed for each skin type.
