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Pigmentation: assessment before cosmetic treatment

A new patch or an uneven skin tone can leave you unsure where to start. You deserve time to ask what the change might mean and which kind of assessment comes first.

At Melbourne Wellness, an initial naturopathy appointment makes time for your health history, diet and daily routine, followed by a discussion of a personalised plan. The menu also includes advanced skin analysis and follow-up appointments. Current clinic service menu.

Understanding the concern

Uneven skin colour can have different explanations. Melasma often appears as patches on the face; post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can follow inflammation or injury. They are not interchangeable diagnoses, and a new or changing mark should not automatically be treated as a cosmetic concern. DermNet — Melasma. DermNet — Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Cancer Council Australia — Melanoma.

Understanding which type of change is present is the first step. Pigment changes can be persistent, and treatments that irritate the skin may worsen some forms of pigmentation. DermNet — Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring your medicines and supplements list, current skincare products or label photographs, and any diagnosis or advice from your GP or dermatologist. Tell us which parts of your routine feel manageable and which have been difficult.

You can ask what each proposed step is for, whether there are alternatives and when to review it. If testing is discussed, ask what question it would answer and how it fits with your existing medical care.

Practical questions

Are dark marks after pimples the same as melasma?

Post-inflammatory pigmentation follows an inflammatory event, while melasma has a different pattern and contributing factors. A clinician can help distinguish them and other causes. DermNet — Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. DermNet — Melasma.

Can IPL suit every type of pigmentation?

Procedures can worsen pigmentation or provoke relapse in some people, particularly with melasma. Discuss diagnosis, skin tone, history and risks before considering a procedure. DermNet — Melasma. DermNet — Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

What role does sun protection have?

Protecting skin from sunlight is part of pigmentation management. Use a combination of clothing, shade, a hat and suitable broad-spectrum sunscreen, following the product label. For melasma, ask a treating clinician about visible-light protection and appropriate formulations. Therapeutic Goods Administration — Sunscreens. Healthdirect Australia — Sunburn and sun protection. DermNet — Sun protection. DermNet — Melasma.

Can I expect marks to disappear permanently?

Melasma can recur, and pigment changes after inflammation may take time to fade. Discuss realistic aims and review points before paying for a course of cosmetic treatment. DermNet — Melasma. DermNet — Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Appointment options

The menu includes advanced skin analysis, IPL and bespoke facials. Ask about these after appropriate medical assessment. An initial naturopathy consultation is also available for health-history, diet and lifestyle questions. Current service menu.

When to see your GP or dermatologist

Book a GP or dermatologist assessment for a new or changing spot, an irregular-looking mark, or a lesion that bleeds or does not heal. Do not book a facial or IPL to remove an undiagnosed lesion first. Clinic skin imaging is not a substitute for medical skin-cancer assessment. Cancer Council Australia — Melanoma.

Your GP or dermatologist looks after medical diagnosis and prescribing. Keep them involved in your care. Medical allergy testing and urgent care sit outside these clinic appointments, and skin imaging does not replace a medical assessment for cancer, nutrient deficiency or the cause of a condition.

More to read

Your next step

Bring your questions. Discuss suitability at a consultation.

Sources

Australian sources appear first. Accessed 8 October 2026; source checks are recorded in the review evidence.