Pigmentation, melasma and vitiligo
Dark patches, uneven skin tone or loss of skin colour.
Skin colour can change in two directions. Darker patches (hyperpigmentation) include melasma, sun damage and marks left behind after acne or eczema. Lighter or white patches (hypopigmentation) include vitiligo and colour loss after inflammation.
Melasma is common in women and in people with darker skin types, and is often linked to sunlight and hormones, including pregnancy and the contraceptive pill. Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition in which pigment cells are lost, causing well-defined white patches.
How We Can Help
- Identifying the type of pigmentation, including checking that a dark patch is not a mole or skin cancer that needs attention.
- A realistic treatment plan: strict sun protection, prescription lightening creams for melasma, and treatment of the underlying condition.
- Treatments for vitiligo, including creams and advice on phototherapy, with discussion of newer treatments where suitable.
- Practical advice on camouflage and protecting affected skin from the sun.
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This page is general information and not a substitute for individual medical advice.