Pigmentation and Uneven Skin Tone

The types, and why the difference decides your plan

Run a finger over it. Flat means colour, and colour is far more improvable than structure.

• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — the flat dark mark left after a spot, bite, scratch or irritation. Very common on higher-melanin skin. Flat, not indented. Improves well with treatment and sun protection.
• Sun-induced pigmentation and tan — from UV exposure, which in Chennai is high all year rather than seasonal. Responds well to consistent protection plus gradual brightening.
• Melasma — symmetrical patches, usually across cheeks, forehead or upper lip. Hormonally influenced and triggered by heat and visible light, not only UV. Chronic and recurring. This one needs a dermatologist and we refer.
• True scarring — indented or raised. A structural change rather than a colour change. Different treatment entirely.

Why Chennai skin gets more of it

Higher baseline melanin means pigment-producing cells respond readily to any trigger: sun, heat, friction, inflammation, aggressive treatment. Add year-round UV, coastal humidity that keeps barriers under strain, long commutes in daylight, and a widespread culture of bleaching and scrubbing, and the result is a lot of avoidable pigmentation.

What makes it worse

• Bleaching and instant fairness facials — they inflame the skin, and inflammation on higher-melanin skin produces more pigment. Very often the treatment is the cause.
• Aggressive scrubbing — same mechanism
• Skipping sunscreen because it's cloudy or because you're indoors — UV and visible light both matter
• Over-the-counter steroid creams used for pigmentation — these cause real, lasting damage and are widespread
• Picking at spots — every pick becomes a mark

What actually helps

Roughly seventy percent of your result comes from what you do at home. We are honest about that.

• Daily SPF 50, reapplied
• Barrier repair before correction
• Gradual brightening rather than aggressive intervention
• Consistency measured in months

How Aglow approaches it

We identify the pigmentation type at assessment, because the answer changes the entire plan. Depending on type and depth, the protocol may combine Korean peels, chemical peels, medi facials and Nd:YAG laser across six to eight sessions, alongside a home routine and a protection routine.

We do not offer skin whitening or fairness treatments. We work on evenness of tone. Changing your natural skin colour is not a goal we will help you pursue.