Pigmentation in Richmond, BC
At Thrive Medical Aesthetics in Richmond, BC, we take a tailored approach to treating sun damage and pigmentation concerns. Depending on your skin type, concerns, and goals, your treatment plan may include LaseMD Ultra, Aerolase® Neo Elite, medical-grade chemical peels, medical-grade skincare, or a combination of treatments.
Treatment begins with a complimentary consultation to assess your skin, identify the type of pigmentation you are experiencing, and recommend an approach designed around your individual needs.
What Causes Pigmentation?
Pigmentation develops when the skin produces excess melanin, the pigment responsible for skin colour. Different factors can trigger excess melanin production, resulting in different types and patterns of pigmentation.
Cumulative UV exposure is one of the most common causes. Sun exposure stimulates melanin production as part of the skin's natural protective response. Over time, repeated exposure can lead to areas of concentrated pigment that appear as sun spots, age spots, or an overall uneven skin tone.
Other factors can also contribute to pigmentation, including hormonal changes, acne, inflammation, and skin injury. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can develop after the skin heals from acne or another inflammatory condition, while melasma is influenced by a more complex combination of factors that may include hormones, genetics, and UV exposure.
Because several forms of pigmentation can look similar, identifying what is contributing to the discolouration is an important first step before beginning treatment.
Sun Spots and Age Spots
Sun spots and age spots are areas of concentrated pigmentation associated with cumulative UV exposure. They commonly develop in areas that receive frequent sun exposure, including the face, chest, shoulders, and hands.
On the face, they may appear as flat tan, brown, or darker areas that become more noticeable over time. Treatments for sun spots and age spots typically focus on reducing visible excess pigment and improving overall skin tone and clarity.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH, refers to darkened areas that remain after inflammation or injury to the skin. Acne is a common cause, but PIH can also develop after irritation or other inflammatory skin conditions.
These marks may fade on their own, but persistent pigmentation can be addressed with carefully selected in-clinic treatments and medical-grade skincare. Treatment selection is particularly important because unnecessary irritation can sometimes contribute to further pigmentation.
Melasma
Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation that typically appears as symmetrical brown or grey-brown patches, often across the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. Unlike isolated sun spots, melasma is influenced by multiple factors and can be more persistent or recurrent.
Because melasma behaves differently from other forms of pigmentation, treatment often requires a considered, long-term approach rather than intensive pigment removal. Sun protection, skincare, and appropriately selected in-clinic treatments may all play a role in improving and managing its appearance.
Pigmentation Treatment Options
There is no single best treatment for every type of pigmentation. At Thrive Medical Aesthetics, treatment decisions are guided by what is causing the pigmentation and how deep it sits in the skin, your skin tone, sensitivity, tolerance for downtime, and any additional concerns you would like to address.
LaseMD Ultra
LaseMD Ultra is a non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing treatment commonly used at Thrive to improve superficial pigmentation, sun damage, uneven skin tone, and early textural changes.
Using a 1927 nm thulium wavelength, LaseMD Ultra supports controlled skin renewal, helping to increase cellular turnover and promote the shedding of pigmented, damaged skin cells.
For patients looking to improve dark spots or sun-related pigmentation, LaseMD Ultra may help steadily improve clarity and create a more even-looking complexion. Treatment typically involves minimal downtime, making it an option for patients seeking visible skin renewal without an extended recovery period.
Aerolase Neo Elite
Aerolase Neo Elite is another laser treatment available at Thrive for pigmentation concerns, including hyperpigmentation, sun-related discolouration, and melasma.
Aerolase uses a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with patented 650-microsecond technology to deliver short pulses of energy into the skin. The laser targets melanin while minimizing excess heat accumulation in the surrounding tissue, allowing treatment across a broad range of skin tones.
Aerolase may be particularly useful when pigmentation occurs alongside other concerns such as redness, acne, or uneven skin tone because the technology can target multiple structures beneath the skin. Treatment is non-contact, requires no anesthetic, and typically involves little to no downtime.
For patients with melasma, Aerolase may be considered as part of a broader treatment strategy rather than a one-time solution, as melasma often requires ongoing management.
Medical-Grade Chemical Peels
Medical-grade chemical peels can help improve superficial pigmentation, sun damage, uneven tone, and post-inflammatory marks by encouraging controlled exfoliation and skin renewal.
At Thrive, peel strength and formulation are selected according to your skin type, sensitivity, pigmentation concerns, and tolerance for downtime. Options range from the gentle, customized Glow Peel to more corrective options, including The Perfect Derma™ Peel and Ultimate Rejuvenation Peel.
Depending on the peel selected, downtime can range from minimal to several days of visible peeling. Chemical peels may be recommended as a standalone treatment or incorporated into a broader pigmentation treatment plan.
Medical-Grade Skincare and Sun Protection
In-clinic treatment is only one part of managing pigmentation. A personalized skincare routine can help support skin renewal, improve uneven tone, and maintain the results of professional treatments.
Daily broad-spectrum sun protection is particularly important. UV exposure can contribute to new pigmentation and cause existing dark spots or melasma to become more noticeable, making consistent sun protection an essential part of both treatment and prevention.
Our team can recommend medical-grade skincare based on your skin type, concerns, and in-clinic treatment plan.
Your Personalized Treatment Plan
Different types of pigmentation respond differently to treatment, which is why we build your treatment plan around a clear picture of what is causing the pigmentation.
During your consultation, we consider:
- The type of pigmentation
- Your skin tone and sensitivity
- The depth of pigmentation
- Whether pigmentation is related to sun exposure, acne, inflammation, or melasma
- Treatments you have previously tried
- Your preference for downtime
- Other concerns, such as acne, redness, texture, or signs of aging
Based on this assessment, we may recommend LaseMD Ultra, Aerolase Neo Elite, a medical-grade chemical peel, skincare, or a combination of approaches.
What to Expect
Pigmentation typically improves gradually rather than after a single treatment. Depending on the treatment selected and the concern being addressed, a series of sessions may be recommended to achieve the best possible outcome.
Downtime also varies by treatment. Aerolase typically requires little to no downtime, while LaseMD Ultra may cause mild redness, bronzing, or flaking for approximately one to three days. Depending on the formulation selected, chemical peels may involve minimal downtime or several days of visible peeling.
As the skin renews, dark spots and areas of uneven pigmentation may become less noticeable, and the complexion may appear clearer and more even.
Ongoing sun protection is an important part of maintaining results, as continued UV exposure can contribute to new or recurring pigmentation. Conditions such as melasma can also recur over time and may require ongoing management.
Book a Complimentary Consultation
Sun damage and pigmentation are not one-size-fits-all concerns. At Thrive Medical Aesthetics, our approach begins with understanding the type and potential causes of your pigmentation before recommending treatment.
With multiple treatment options available, including LaseMD Ultra, Aerolase Neo Elite, medical-grade chemical peels, and medical-grade skincare, we can build a treatment plan that considers your skin type, concerns, downtime preferences, and long-term goals.
All medical procedures at Thrive are carried out by licensed and qualified professionals, with treatment recommendations focused on safe, gradual, and natural-looking improvement.
Located in Richmond, BC, Thrive Medical Aesthetics provides bespoke, evidence-informed care for patients throughout Richmond and Greater Vancouver.
Whether you are concerned about sun spots, age spots, dark spots, melasma, or a generally uneven complexion, the first step is understanding what is contributing to your pigmentation.
Book a complimentary consultation at Thrive Medical Aesthetics in Richmond, BC, and we will assess your skin and recommend the treatments best suited to your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best treatment for pigmentation?
The best treatment depends on the type, depth, and cause of the pigmentation, as well as your skin type. Options may include laser treatments such as LaseMD Ultra or Aerolase, medical-grade chemical peels, skincare, or a combination of approaches. A consultation can help determine which treatment is most appropriate for your skin.
Can laser treatment remove dark spots?
Laser treatment can help reduce the appearance of some types of dark spots by targeting excess pigment and supporting the skin's natural renewal process. The appropriate laser treatment depends on the type of pigmentation and your skin tone, which is why assessment before treatment is important.
Can sun spots be removed?
Sun spots can often be improved with treatments that target excess pigmentation, including laser resurfacing and chemical peels. Results vary depending on the depth and extent of the pigment, and ongoing sun protection is important to help prevent new spots from developing.
What is the best treatment for sun spots on the face?
The best facial treatment for sun spots depends on your skin type, the depth of the pigmentation, and your tolerance for downtime. At Thrive, LaseMD Ultra, Aerolase, and chemical peels may all be considered for sun-related pigmentation. Your provider can recommend the most appropriate option after assessing your skin.
Can age spots be treated with laser?
Certain age spots can respond well to laser treatment. LaseMD Ultra and Aerolase are two laser technologies available at Thrive that may be considered for areas of excess pigmentation, depending on your skin and the nature of the spots being treated.
Does hyperpigmentation go away?
Some forms of hyperpigmentation may fade with time, while others can persist without treatment. How pigmentation behaves depends on its cause, depth, and ongoing factors such as UV exposure or inflammation. Professional treatments and consistent sun protection can help improve its appearance and manage factors that contribute to ongoing pigmentation.
