You might not have noticed it before – faint patches, dark marks, uneven tone – but once pigmentation starts appearing on your skin, it’s hard to unsee.
Whether it’s sun spots, hormonal melasma or post-inflammatory marks after a breakout, pigmentation can be stubborn. It’s also complex, affected by a range of factors, from hormone levels and lifestyle choices to gut health.
According to skin experts, it takes an internal and external balance to fade pigmentation effectively – and for good. While in-clinic treatments can accelerate results, your body needs to be supported from within too.
What causes skin pigmentation?
“Pigmentation is usually caused by trauma, sun damage, or hormonal imbalance,” explains Sophie Smith, skin and laser specialist and founder of Grand Aesthetics. “We treat it externally using targeted facials like chemical peels, laser or microneedling, depending on the individual. It’s important to look for treatments that support cell turnover while also calming inflammation – not just bleaching the skin. But skincare matters too: use a tyrosinase inhibitor like tranexamic acid or kojic acid, and wear SPF50 daily, even in winter.”
Supplements and stress
It’s not just what you apply topically – what’s going on internally can either reduce or ramp up pigmentation too.
“Pigmentation is often linked to stress, digestive stagnation and even liver health,” adds Michela Rand, advanced reflexology practitioner and founder of RAND Holistics. “When the liver is overloaded or hormones are out of balance, it can show up as patches or discolouration on the face. Supporting your body with the right supplements – like zinc, B vitamins and liver-supportive herbs such as milk thistle – can help regulate pigmentation from within. I always recommend a reflexology session to pinpoint what your body’s trying to communicate.”
Professional pigmentation treatment
Pigmentation isn’t something to panic about, but it is a sign to look closer at your skin, your stress levels and what’s going on beneath the surface. Targeting it successfully means more than a brightening serum – it’s a layered approach that works best when guided by a professional who understands the whole picture.
It might also be worth exploring what your body’s trying to tell you through blood tests. Services like Medichecks can highlight underlying deficiencies, hormonal imbalances or inflammation markers that could be contributing to pigmentation – giving you a clearer starting point from the inside out.
Read on to find out more.
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