Dry Skin and Dark Spots on the Face: What Should You Know?

A damaged skin barrier can sting, peel and become inflamed. After inflammation settles, the affected area may remain darker, a pattern called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Sun exposure can deepen existing spots and make uneven colour more visible. Melasma often appears as patches on the face and may be influenced by light and hormonal changes.

Sun spots are another possibility, while tinea versicolor more often affects the trunk but can alter skin colour. A photograph or description alone cannot confirm the cause. Note whether the patches are flat, scaly, symmetrical, new or changing.

Use a gentle cleanser, a bland moisturiser and daily broad-spectrum sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen as directed when outdoors, and use shade or a hat for added protection. Pause scrubs, strong acids, fragranced products and picking until the skin barrier is comfortable. Introduce one new product at a time.

A dermatologist can match treatment to the pigment pattern and your skin’s sensitivity. Options may include skin-brightening treatment, a chemical peel or picosecond laser treatment, but procedures can irritate skin and should follow a diagnosis and tailored plan.

Arrange review for a new spot that changes in size, shape or colour, bleeds, crusts, becomes painful or does not heal. Also seek advice when pigmentation spreads quickly, is associated with significant scaling, or does not improve after the irritation has settled.

What is the most likely pattern of pigmentation? Could irritation be contributing? Which sunscreen and moisturiser suit my skin? Would a prescription or procedure be appropriate, and what irritation should I watch for?