What should you know about facial treatment to remove dark spots?

A dark spot may follow acne, irritation or an injury, or it may reflect melasma or sun spots. Tinea versicolor can create uneven colour with fine scale, while a changing, unusual lesion needs a closer examination. Colour alone is not enough to choose a peel or laser. A clinician considers the location, borders, texture, symptoms, previous inflammation and your tendency to develop pigment after skin injury.

Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen and gentle skin care help limit repeated darkening. Do not scratch, pick or use harsh bleaching mixtures. Depending on the diagnosis, a dermatologist may suggest topical treatment, a chemical peel, skin brightening treatment or picosecond laser treatment. These options differ in how they affect the surface and pigment, so treatment settings and aftercare should be personalised. New products should be introduced carefully, especially if your skin stings easily or has reacted to procedures before.

Arrange an assessment for a spot that changes in size, shape or colour, bleeds, crusts, becomes painful or does not heal. Seek care for rapidly spreading patches, marked itch and scale, or darkening after a procedure. Medical review before cosmetic treatment prevents an important diagnosis from being overlooked.

Ask what is causing the pigment, whether examination or testing is needed, which treatment suits your skin, what irritation to expect, and how to reduce recurrence.