Pigmentation 101: Your top tips to tackle dark spots

While our Pigmentbio range is formulated to even out existing spots and help you to regain your natural, even complexion, there are steps you can take to prevent spots forming or worsening. We asked Dr. Smith what he recommends, and he says:

• ALWAYS protect exposed skin areas from light by using a medically proven broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen, EVERY DAY!
• People whose knuckles are more pigmented than the skin between the knuckles are more likely to develop dark patches after inflammation from any cause - be it trauma, insect bites, infection, etc.
• When female hormone (oestrogen and progestogen) levels are high, for example during pregnancy or when taking oral contraceptives, melasma (darker pigmentation) commonly occurs. As sun exposure stimulates more pigmentation, it makes sense to take medication containing these hormones in the evening so that they reach their highest levels in the skin at night, to decrease the chance that they may be contributory factors.
• Melasma is a chronic condition and tends to relapse when treatment is interrupted. Treatment should therefore be continuous until the condition lessens, usually only after menopause.
• Any new pigmented lesion (mark) or change in an existing pigmented lesion should be referred to a dermatologist for dermatoscopic examination to exclude malignant melanoma, as early diagnosis and treatment gives the best prognosis.