Your Concerns | Pigmentation
Hyperpigmentation on Dark Skin
Hyperpigmentation is when areas of skin become darker than the surrounding skin. It is one of the most common concerns for people with skin of colour, and one of the most manageable once you understand it.
On melanin-rich skin, it tends to be darker, more stubborn, and slower to fade than it is on lighter skin. This page explains the types, why they behave the way they do on darker skin, and the treatments that genuinely help.
Hyperpigmentation is almost always downstream of something else
There are more causes than most people expect. On skin of colour, pigment-producing cells react more strongly to nearly all of them.
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Inflammation
Acne, eczema, folliculitis, ingrown hairs, razor bumps, or any irritation to the skin, including picking and harsh scrubbing. This is the most common trigger on skin of colour.
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Ultraviolet and visible light
Both stimulate pigment, and visible light in particular drives pigmentation more strongly in darker skin. Sun exposure deepens almost every other type.
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Injury
Burns, cuts, surgery, tattoos, and even aggressive cosmetic treatment. A peel or laser at the wrong strength can leave a lasting marks.
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Hormones
Pregnancy, the contraceptive pill, and hormonal shifts are common drivers of melasma.
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Medication
Some drugs cause hyperpigmentation as a side effect. On darker skin, this can appear grey or slate-coloured. It’s worth flagging to whoever prescribed it.
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Underlying medical conditions
Sometimes, widespread or unexplained darkening could be a sign of a systemic condition. Spreading pigment with no clear cause should be looked at professionally.
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Genetics
Some people are simply more prone to pigmentation, with melanocytes that react more strongly to any trigger. If a parent or sibling’s marks fade slowly, yours may too.
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Friction
Repeated rubbing and areas of friction are why pigmentation often appears on the knees, elbows, underarms, and intimate areas.
Depth is the key to what you see
The colour of a mark, brown versus grey, is a clue to how deep the pigment sits and how patient you’ll need to be.
SITS IN THE UPPER LAYERS
SITS DEEPER DOWN
EPIDERMAL
Brown
Pigment in the upper layers of the skin usually reads brown, and responds relatively well to treatment.
DERMAL
Grey / Slate
Pigment deeper down looks grey, slate-blue, or almost black and is considerably more stubborn. Much hyperpigmentation on darker skin is a mix of both.
On melanin-rich skin the pigment-producing cells are naturally more reactive, so hyperpigmentation is more common, often more visible, and typically lasts far longer. A calm, early approach almost always beats an aggressive, late one, because the same treatment that clears a mark can, if pushed too hard, create the fresh inflammation that makes a new one.
The same trigger that leaves fairer skin with a temporary pink mark can leave melanin-rich skin with a dark mark that lasts months. So darker skin needs treatment that is gentler and better targeted, not simply stronger.
A few evidence-supported steps, applied consistently
No product clears hyperpigmentation overnight, and anything promising to isn’t being honest with you. What works is consistency, patience and the right basics.
At home · 01
Daily sun protection
The foundation. Ideally a broad-spectrum sunscreen or a tinted sunscreen with iron oxides, which also shields against the visible light that darkens marks.
At home · 02
Treat the underlying cause
Managing the acne, eczema, or ingrown hairs driving the marks does more over time than any brightening serum.
At home · 03
Gentle, pigment-calming ingredients
Such as azelaic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C, used consistently, at strengths that suit melanin-rich skin
Be wary of products marketed to “lighten” or “bleach” the skin, especially those bought informally or from abroad, some contain high-strength hydroquinone, potent steroids, or mercury, and can cause lasting harm, including a paradoxical, stubborn darkening. Aggressive at-home acids and scrubs are a common cause of more pigment, not less.
Looking at it early is always the right call
Most hyperpigmentation is harmless and manageable. But see your GP or an appropriate healthcare professional if a mark is changing in size, shape, or colour, is itching, bleeding, or crusting, appears as a single new spot that looks different from the rest, or simply isn’t improving despite a sensible routine. Some pigmented changes need medical assessment.
Treatments chosen for melanin-rich skin
On darker skin, the risk of a treatment causing more pigmentation is real, so who performs it matters more than the machine or the brand. Every treatment begins with an assessment of whether it’s right for your skin.
To understand the science first, read why hyperpigmentation is so hard to treat on dark skin, then choose from our treatments at our South London Clapham Clinic.
Glow Peels
Gentle resurfacing chemical peels to lift surface pigment and even tone, at strengths suited to melanin-rich skin.
The Perfect Peel
A targeted deeper peel used for more established pigmentation, always assessed for suitability first.
Microneedling with boosters
Targeted microneedles paired with serums matched to your concern to support tone and texture.
Skin consultations
A personalised assessment with tailored recommendations and, where appropriate, prescription skincare.
Try our free skin consultation tool
Answer a few questions about your skin, concern, and history for tailored guidance built for skin of colour.
START FREE CONSULTATION →Frequently asked questions
Hyperpigmentation is an umbrella term. The main types are post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark marks after acne, eczema, or injury), melasma (hormone- and light-driven patches), sun-induced pigmentation, and general unevenness of tone. They can overlap, and each responds best to a slightly different approach.
Colour is a clue to depth. Brown marks usually sit in the upper layers of skin (epidermal) and fade more readily. Grey, slate-blue, or near-black marks tend to sit deeper (dermal) and are more stubborn; they often need in-clinic support and more time.
Yes. It’s very treatable, but it needs an approach designed for melanin-rich skin: gentle, consistent, and sun-protected, because aggressive treatment can worsen it. Deeper, dermal pigmentation takes longer and may benefit from professional treatment.
Surface-level marks often improve over several months with a good routine; deeper pigment can take a year or more. Daily sun protection is the biggest factor in how quickly it resolves.
Not sure which service is right for you?
Book a full skin consultation and we will assess your skin thoroughly before recommending any further treatments. Your skin health always comes first.
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