Why "hyperpigmentation" is really four different problems
Most patients arrive at a consultation calling everything "dark spots" or "discoloration" — and most medical spas are happy to sell every patient the same laser package regardless of what's actually causing it. That approach gets inconsistent results, because sun damage, melasma, post-acne marks, and diffuse body pigmentation are genuinely different conditions with different depths, different triggers, and different treatment tolerances.
At Plump Medical Spa, the first step is always identifying which type of pigmentation you have — not just confirming that something is pigmented. That distinction changes everything about how aggressively it can be treated and how many sessions it will realistically take.
The four types of pigmentation we treat
How to tell them apart
TypePatternTypical Trigger
Sun Spots
Scattered, well-defined, flat
Cumulative UV exposure
Melasma
Symmetric, diffuse, cheeks/forehead/lip
Hormones + sun exposure
Post-Acne (PIH)
Flat marks at former breakout sites
Inflammation from acne healing
Body Dark Spots
Hands, chest, shoulders
Decades of sun exposure
Not sure which one applies to you? Our pigmentation identification guide goes deeper into how to tell these apart before you book.
Why the diagnosis comes first
The same laser setting that clears a sun spot in one pass can trigger rebound darkening in melasma. Treating every type of pigmentation identically is one of the most common reasons patients feel let down by laser treatment elsewhere. At Plump, the protocol is built around the diagnosis — not the other way around.
One device, matched to your condition
Every pigmentation type above is treated using PicoLazer's dual-wavelength (1064nm and 532nm) picosecond technology — but the settings, number of passes, and session spacing are calibrated specifically to what's being treated. Sun spots typically respond quickly to more direct settings. Melasma requires a slower, staged approach. Post-acne marks sit somewhere in between, depending on depth and skin tone. This is also the same platform used for laser tattoo removal at Plump, alongside Q-switched technology for ink that responds better to a different wavelength.
Most patients have more than one type at once. It's common to have sun damage and post-acne marks together, or melasma with some sun spots layered on top. Your treatment plan can address more than one condition in the same series — assessed and sequenced appropriately at consultation.
Pricing
Treatment pricing
PicoLazer — targeted spot or full-face session
Pricing and session count depend on your specific pigmentation type. By appointment only.
View Pricing & Book →
Frequently asked questions
What is hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is a general term for any area of skin that has become darker than the surrounding tissue due to excess melanin production. It covers several distinct conditions — sun damage, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne, and age-related dark spots — each with a different cause and a different appropriate treatment approach.
What causes hyperpigmentation?
The most common causes are cumulative UV exposure (sun damage and age spots), hormonal changes (melasma), and inflammation from skin injury such as acne, cuts, or irritation (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). Genetics and skin tone also influence how visible and persistent hyperpigmentation becomes.
What is the best treatment for hyperpigmentation?
The best treatment depends on the specific type of hyperpigmentation. PicoLazer's dual-wavelength picosecond technology is effective across most types, but the settings, number of sessions, and aggressiveness of treatment differ significantly between sun damage, melasma, and post-acne pigment. An accurate diagnosis at consultation is the first step to selecting the right protocol.
Is laser treatment for hyperpigmentation safe for darker skin tones?
Yes, when the correct technology and settings are used. PicoLazer's dual wavelength allows Dr. Mortazavi to select the appropriate energy for darker skin tones, where many single-wavelength lasers carry a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.
How much does hyperpigmentation treatment cost at Plump Medical Spa?
Pricing depends on the type of pigmentation, the treatment area, and the number of sessions needed. Current pricing for targeted spot treatment and full-face sessions is available on the Plump Medical Spa treatment menu.
Not sure which type you have?
Dr. Mortazavi identifies your exact pigmentation type at consultation before recommending any treatment.