Summer is over. The dark spots are still here. Perhaps you’ve already tried a serum. Perhaps you’re wondering whether a peel or a light treatment would do more. Before you buy or book anything else, there’s a question worth asking. What kind of pigmentation are you dealing with?
When we talk about it, I start by listening and looking at your skin. When did you first notice the change? What are you using already? And what bothers you about it? That helps us work out the next step together. A skincare consultation does not replace a medical diagnosis.
Similar colour, different causes
Sun spots, also called age spots, develop after years of exposure to ultraviolet light. They often appear on the face and hands. The name is a little misleading. You don’t have to be elderly to have them, and they aren’t necessarily the result of just one summer. DermNet
Melasma often appears as larger patches on both sides of the face. Sunlight plays a part, as can hormonal changes, including during pregnancy. It can be persistent and may return. DermNet on melasma
Dark marks after inflammation can remain after a spot has healed. The medical term is postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. The inflammation has settled, but the colour remains. Further irritation can make matters worse. A stronger peel is not automatically a better choice. DermNet
These differences help explain why one product won’t work equally well on every dark spot. They are not a guide to diagnosing your own skin.
An ingredient is not a treatment plan
Take niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3. It can reduce the transfer of pigment packages to neighbouring skin cells. In plain English, it acts on how pigment moves between cells. That may help make certain dark marks less visible. It doesn’t mean every niacinamide serum will remove every dark spot. Niacinamide study
The whole formula matters, along with how your skin tolerates it and the type of pigmentation. Stinging and lasting redness are not proof that a product is working especially well. With melasma, irritation can actually make the discolouration worse. AAD on skincare for melasma
We can look through your current skincare together. The next useful step doesn’t always mean buying something else.
Sun protection is part of treatment
Sunlight can make pigmentation worse. Consistent protection matters, even after your summer holiday. That includes shade, a hat and sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and protection against both UVA and UVB. Reapply regularly outdoors, especially after sweating or swimming.
For melasma, a tinted sunscreen containing iron oxides may offer an additional benefit. These pigments also protect against visible light, which can worsen melasma. Here, the tint does more than even out the look of your skin. AAD on sun protection for melasma
When peels or light treatments may help
Peels and light treatments can help with certain types of pigmentation, but they are not interchangeable. Skin type, the cause of the pigmentation and the risk of making it worse all need to be considered. An international expert consensus highlights these factors too. Expert consensus on hyperpigmentation
There is also an important rule in Switzerland. Treating age spots and melasma with methods such as laser or IPL is reserved for doctors or practice staff working under their direct instruction and supervision. Swiss Federal Office of Public Health
Autumn isn’t an automatic green light either. Before a light treatment, any tan and the possible risks need to be discussed. FOPH on laser and IPL safety, in German
A sensible next step
A new or changing spot needs a medical assessment first. Please don’t try to peel it away before having it checked. Swiss Cancer League, in German
Once it has been assessed, we can look together at which cosmetic support fits your skin and your daily life at FACIALIST in Zug. If a treatment is unlikely to offer you a meaningful benefit, I’ll say so, and we’ll find a suitable alternative.
Bring your current products, or photos of them, to your consultation. That gives us something practical to work with. We can discuss what to keep using and what you may not need at all.