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info@scarsandlasers.co.nz
15 Green Lane East, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand
Monday - Friday: 7:45 am - 5:00 pm
Pigmentation and uneven skin tone are common concerns we see across all ages and skin types. These changes happen when melanin—the pigment that gives skin its colour—is produced in excess or unevenly distributed. Triggers can range from sun exposure and hormones to skin inflammation and genetics.
Pigmentation issues like age spots and freckles are caused by changes in melanin production—the pigment that gives skin its colour. Here’s how it works:
Understanding these causes helps our dermatologists at Scars & Lasers tailor the right treatments to fade pigmentation safely and effectively.
At Scars & Lasers, we understand that pigmentation can appear for many different reasons. Most pigmentation issues are due to an overproduction or uneven distribution of melanin—the pigment that gives skin its colour.
Here are the common causes we see:
Yes. While ultraviolet (UV) exposure is the primary driver of solar lentigines, genetics plays a significant role. Individuals with a family history of pigmentary change or with certain skin phototypes are more likely to develop age spots earlier or more extensively.
Solar lentigines are flat, brown spots caused by long-term sun exposure. Unlike freckles, they usually appear later in life and don’t fade without treatment.
These spots commonly show up on:
We treat solar lentigines using world-class laser and energy-based technologies that specifically target excess pigmentation with minimal downtime.
Seborrhoeic keratoses (also known as senile keratoses) are benign, wart-like growths that tend to appear with age. They can range in colour from light brown to dark black and often have a waxy, slightly raised surface.
While harmless, they can be removed for cosmetic reasons. Scars & Lasers offers safe and effective removal using advanced dermatological devices.
Yes. While ultraviolet (UV) exposure is the primary driver of solar lentigines, genetics plays a significant role. Individuals with a family history of pigmentary change or with certain skin phototypes are more likely to develop age spots earlier or more extensively.
We offer a range of medical-grade treatments tailored to the cause and depth of your pigmentation:
What type of laser should I use for stubborn sun damage and age spots?
Fractional and resurfacing lasers are ideal for persistent pigmentation because they target deeper pigment accumulations and damaged skin cells and stimulate the skin’s own healing.
How are pico lasers different from fractional lasers?
Pico lasers use extremely short pulses to break down pigment particles without high heat, so they are ideal for lesions like freckles, Nevus of Ota, tattoos and PIH—particularly effective in darker skin types.
What is laser toning and when would it be used?
Laser toning uses lower energy to treat widespread, diffuse pigmentation and texture issues rather than specific spots—best for melasma, uneven tone, PIH and patients with darker skin types.
How does a laser peel differ from other laser treatments?
A laser peel combines pigment breakdown in the surface skin layers with collagen stimulation, improving both tone and texture—useful for sun-damage, uneven pigmentation and clarity.
Why might BBL be chosen instead of a laser for pigmentation?
BBL treats both pigment and vascular redness by using multiple wavelengths. It’s an effective all-rounder for mixed-damage skin (pigment + redness + early ageing) though less targeted than specialised lasers.
This varies depending on the modality recommended (e.g., laser, broadband light, or topical depigmenting agents). Your clinician will review your skin type, depth of pigmentation, and treatment goals to determine the number of sessions and optimal treatment interval.
Treatment is performed by the clinician most suited to the modality selected—this may be a dermatologist, dermal therapist, or a laser nurse. All staff are trained extensively in skin assessment, pigmentation disorders, and device-based treatments to ensure safe, evidence-based care.
Yes. A wide range of advanced dermatological treatments can significantly lighten or completely remove age spots. Treatment options include:
Your dermatology team will select the most appropriate option based on pigment depth, skin type, and safety considerations.
During your consultation, your skin specialist will assess your pigmentation pattern, skin type (Fitzpatrick I–VI), and co-existing conditions such as sun damage or melasma. Based on this, you will receive a tailored treatment plan that may include lasers, light-based devices, topical agents, or combination therapy to achieve optimal clearance.
Your clinician will guide you based on the chosen modality.
Poikiloderma of Civatte is a common sun-related skin change that usually affects the sides of the neck and upper chest. It often appears as a combination of brown pigmentation, redness, fine broken capillaries, and mottled skin texture.
At Scars & Lasers, treatment is tailored to the pattern of pigmentation and redness present. We may use a combination of advanced laser and light-based treatments, including Excel V+, PicoWay laser, and BBL.
Excel V+ can be used to target the vascular/redness component, including visible capillaries and background redness. PicoWay laser may be used where there is more prominent brown pigmentation or pigment irregularity. BBL can also be helpful for broader photoageing changes, including mixed redness, pigmentation, and sun-related skin damage.
In some cases, we may also add systemic or medical therapy as part of the overall treatment plan, particularly where pigmentation is more persistent or there are contributing inflammatory or hormonal factors.
Because Poikiloderma of Civatte often involves both pigment and vascular change, the best results usually come from a carefully planned, staged approach rather than a single treatment. A specialist assessment allows us to select the most appropriate combination of treatments for the individual patient’s skin type, degree of pigmentation, and visible redness.
ACC funding eligibility is determined by the Accident Compensation Corporation on a case-by-case basis. Approval is dependent on injury acceptance, clinical indication, and ACC policy at the time of application. Not all treatments offered at Scars & Lasers are ACC-funded. Private fees may apply for unfunded components of care.
