Sun Damage and Pigmentation

How sun damage shows up

It usually starts as a few freckles or sun spots and slowly turns into uneven, blotchy skin. Brown patches across the cheeks, forehead, or upper lip, known as melasma, are also common. The face, chest, and hands take the most sun over a lifetime, so that's where it tends to appear.

What's behind the pigment

UV light prompts your skin to make extra melanin, and that damage adds up over decades. Hormones from pregnancy or birth control can trigger melasma. Acne and other inflammation can leave dark marks behind too. Your skin type affects how easily this happens and which treatments are safest for you.

Treatment options

CK Plastic Surgery uses lasers that target pigment while leaving the surrounding skin alone:

• PicoWay breaks pigment into tiny particles that your body clears over time.
• Cutera Xeo+ treats sun damage, redness, and overall tone.
• Lutronic Ultra refreshes tone and texture with minimal downtime.

Most people need a series of sessions, and your plan will depend on your skin type and the kind of pigment you have.

Keeping it from coming back

Daily sunscreen matters more than any laser. New sun exposure brings pigment right back, and melasma in particular tends to flare and need ongoing care. If a spot is changing, bleeding, or looks irregular, have a dermatologist check it before any cosmetic treatment.