Hyperpigmentation Treatment
The right treatment for the dark spots you actually have
Where is your pigment coming from?
Dark spots have different causes, and the cause decides the treatment. Match what you are seeing to a path below, or send a photo and let our medical team decide with you.
“Flat brown spots from years of sun”
IPL photofacial
Light-based treatment that targets collected pigment on the face, chest, hands, and shoulders. Sun spots typically darken briefly, then flake away over a week or two.
IPL photofacial →“Patches that came with hormones or pregnancy”
Melasma path: photo review first
Melasma behaves differently: some light treatments can make it worse. Send a photo before booking anything, and our team will point you toward the options that help rather than aggravate it, often starting with a peel.
Upload a photo →“Dark marks where breakouts used to be”
VI Peel
A medical-grade peel that resurfaces over about a week, fading post-blemish marks and evening tone. If active acne is part of the picture too, start from our acne page.
VI Peels →“Overall tone looks uneven and dull”
Clear + Brilliant or Moxi
Gentle resurfacing lasers built for tone and texture with minimal downtime. A favorite maintenance treatment between bigger corrections.
Gentle resurfacing →“Texture and old scarring alongside the pigment”
Microneedling
Collagen-building treatment that improves texture while tone evens out over a series of visits.
Microneedling →Types of hyperpigmentation we treat
Sun spots and age spots
Flat tan-to-brown patches on sun-exposed skin: face, hands, chest, shoulders. The most treatable kind of pigment, and the reason IPL exists.
Melasma
Symmetrical brown patches, often across the cheeks, forehead, or upper lip, driven by hormones and worsened by heat and sun. Managed rather than cured, and the one type where choosing the wrong treatment can backfire, so we evaluate first.
Post-inflammatory marks
Darker spots left behind after acne, ingrown hairs, or irritation, more common in deeper skin tones. Peels and time do most of the work; sunscreen protects the progress.
Freckles
Genetic, sun-responsive, and harmless. Some people love them; for those who want them softened, light-based treatments can reduce them.
Not sure which one you have?
Upload a photo to your account and our dermatologist-led team will review it before you come in. With pigment, starting with the right treatment matters more than starting fast.
How Much Does Hyperpigmentation Treatment Cost?
VI Peel (Original)
Visible glow in about 7 days. Includes a free VI Derm aftercare kit.
Medical-Grade Radiance Peel
What You'll Notice
Brighter, smoother, fresher skin after a single peel. Most patients notice a healthy glow within about a week as the skin renews.
Included With Your Treatment
- Complimentary VI Derm post-peel aftercare kit (a multi-day take-home system to protect and extend your results)
- Customized application for your specific concerns
- Provider guidance on your results timeline
How Booking Works
Select your preferred option and pick a time online. Your provider will confirm the right formulation for your skin at your first visit, with no commitment required when booking. We’ll reach out beforehand to answer any questions.
FAQ
Click on a question to see more
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Which treatment removes dark spots fastest?
For classic sun spots, an IPL photofacial is usually the most direct route: spots darken briefly, then flake away over a week or two. But speed depends on the cause, which is why we match the treatment to the type first.
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Can you treat melasma?
Yes, carefully. Melasma is managed rather than cured, and some light-based treatments can make it worse, which is why we do not point melasma patients at IPL by default. Upload a photo first and our team will map the safer path, often starting with a peel and strict sun protection.
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Why did my dark marks appear after acne cleared?
That is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: skin producing extra pigment where it was inflamed. It is more common in deeper skin tones, it fades with the right care, and peels speed that up. If breakouts are still active, start from our acne treatment page so both get addressed.
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How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the type and depth of the pigment. Sun spots often respond in one to two IPL sessions; melasma and post-inflammatory marks are usually a series. Your provider will give you an honest count at your visit.
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How much does hyperpigmentation treatment cost?
Current pricing for the most common starting points is shown in the booking section above, and each treatment page shows its own pricing.
Cared for by our 13-person Los Angeles medical team. Meet your provider →
Visit us near you in West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Calabasas
In-person, physician-supervised care at all three Cienega Medical clinics.
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Serving LA since 2010 · 3,356 five-star reviews
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