Pigmentation issues such as sunspots, melasma, and post-acne marks are among the most common concerns treated in aesthetic clinics. With so many treatment options available, it’s natural to wonder: how many sessions does it take to remove pigmentation effectively?
What Causes Pigmentation?
Pigmentation refers to areas of the skin that become darker due to excess melanin production. This can happen for various reasons, including sun exposure, hormonal fluctuations, inflammation, or skin injury.
The type and depth of pigmentation matter. Superficial sun damage responds differently than deeper conditions like melasma. That’s why an accurate diagnosis by experienced practitioners is key to determining the right treatment plan.
What Are the Most Effective Treatments?
At our Canon Street clinic, we often treat pigmentation with advanced technologies like PicoSure Laser, microneedling with exosomes, and medical-grade chemical peels. Each approach targets pigment in a slightly different way:
- PicoSure uses picosecond laser pulses to shatter pigment deep in the skin with minimal heat, making it ideal for all skin tones.
- Exosome-enhanced microneedling boosts cellular repair while helping fade post-inflammatory marks and uneven tone.
- Chemical peels exfoliate the skin’s surface, improving dullness and superficial pigment.
Your treatment may include one or a combination of these options, depending on your skin type, concern, and history.
How Many Sessions Will You Need?
This depends on several factors:
Type of pigmentation – Superficial pigment, like sunspots, may fade after 1–3 treatments. Deeper melasma may need 4–6 sessions or more.
Chosen treatment – PicoSure often achieves faster results than peels alone, especially for mixed or stubborn pigment.
Skin tone – Our practitioners adjust protocols for darker skin tones to ensure safety and reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation.
Lifestyle factors – Ongoing sun exposure, product use, and hormones can all impact how well pigmentation responds.
For most clients, a course of 3–5 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart offers a good balance between visible improvement and safety. Maintenance sessions every few months may be recommended for long-standing conditions.
What Can You Do to Support Results?
Regardless of how many sessions it takes to remove pigmentation, your results will improve significantly with proper aftercare. Daily sun protection is essential, as even mild exposure can cause pigment to resurface. Our clinic team may also recommend topical brightening agents to maintain an even tone between sessions.
Consistency is key. Pigmentation often fades gradually, and clients who complete the full course of treatment and follow professional advice tend to achieve the best outcomes.