The concern
Sun spots, melasma and uneven tone can look similar at a glance, but they come from different causes and respond to different treatments — which is exactly why the first step is working out which one you actually have.
What's happening
Pigmentation is the skin's response to extra melanin — triggered by UV exposure, inflammation, or hormones — sitting either near the surface or deeper in the dermis depending on the cause. Sun spots and freckles tend to be more straightforward; the depth and pattern of the pigmentation guide which treatment suits it.
Melasma is a different story. It's driven from the inside by hormonal factors, shows as symmetrical patches across the cheeks, forehead or upper lip, and can flare with heat, sun or hormonal change. Because it's more reactive, aggressive laser can actually make it worse — so melasma is approached far more cautiously than a straightforward sun spot.
The honest part: telling these apart, and choosing a pathway that fades rather than provokes them, is what the consultation is for. Treatment reduces the appearance of pigmentation gradually — it doesn't switch off overnight, and ongoing sun protection is what keeps the improvement in place.
The pathway
Not a single fix, but a considered order — matched to your skin at consultation.
The primary treatment
Targeted laser energy that addresses melanin at a chosen depth, used on pigmentation types confirmed to respond well at consultation. Sessions are staged, with visible fading building over the weeks after each treatment rather than all at once.
Explore DEKA Pigmentation Laser
The supporting treatment
A gentler option for melasma-prone or sensitive skin, or run alongside laser for pigmentation that responds well to it. Cleansing, extraction and targeted serums support overall tone without the inflammatory risk that comes with more aggressive approaches.
Explore HydraFacialHonest expectations
Questions
Pigmentation is a broad term for any darkening of the skin caused by excess melanin, including sun spots, freckles, and post-inflammatory marks. Melasma is a specific type of pigmentation driven by hormonal factors, characterised by symmetrical brown or grey-brown patches on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, and chin. Melasma is more complex to treat because it is triggered internally by hormones rather than solely by external factors like UV. At Eternity Laser & Aesthetics in Dural, we distinguish between these types during your consultation because the treatment approach differs significantly.
Melasma is a chronic condition that can be effectively managed but rarely cured for good, because the underlying hormonal triggers remain. Treatment can dramatically reduce the visible pigmentation and maintain clear skin for extended periods. However, flare-ups can occur with hormonal changes, sun exposure, or heat. At Eternity, we design long-term management plans that include both in-clinic treatments and a daily skincare protocol to keep melasma under control and minimise recurrence.
Laser is highly effective for certain types of pigmentation like sun spots and age spots, but must be used with extreme caution on melasma. Aggressive laser treatment can actually worsen melasma by triggering a rebound hyperpigmentation response. At Eternity in the Hills District, we only use laser on pigmentation types that are confirmed to respond well. For melasma, we prioritise gentle approaches like clinical peels, vitamin infusions, and medical-grade topicals that suppress melanin production without inflammatory risk.
Results vary by pigmentation type and depth. Superficial sun spots treated with laser can show visible fading within one to two weeks of the first session. Deeper pigmentation and melasma typically require two to four months of consistent treatment to achieve noticeable improvement. The key is patience and consistency — pigmentation treatment is a progressive process, not an instant fix. Eternity Laser & Aesthetics tracks your progress with clinical photography so improvement is documented objectively.
Pigmentation recurrence usually happens for one of three reasons: inadequate sun protection after treatment, ongoing hormonal triggers (for melasma), or the original treatment not addressing the root cause. UV exposure is the most common culprit — even a single day without SPF 50+ can reactivate melanocytes in treated areas. At Eternity, we address this by making sun protection and melanin-suppressing skincare a non-negotiable part of every treatment plan, not an afterthought.
The next step
The clearest way forward is a conversation about your skin.
We’ll assess it in person and tell you honestly what will, and won’t, help.
