Hyperpigmentation: Identifying the Type Before Treating It
Hyperpigmentation has three distinct causes — sun damage, hormonal influence (melasma), and post-inflammatory response — each requiring a different treatment approach.
get startedHyperpigmentation has three distinct causes — sun damage, hormonal influence (melasma), and post-inflammatory response — each requiring a different treatment approach.
get startedHyperpigmentation is a broad term for areas of skin that are darker than the surrounding complexion due to excess melanin production. It ranges from discrete sun spots and post-acne marks to the diffuse, patterned discoloration of melasma. It's one of the most common skin concerns across all skin types and tones, and one of the most variable in terms of how it presents and how it responds to treatment.
Patients come in about hyperpigmentation when it has become noticeable in photos or in certain lighting, or when a skincare routine has plateaued and stopped making progress. The frustration of trying many products without results is one of the most common things we hear.
Hyperpigmentation has three primary causes that each require a different treatment approach.
UV exposure: The most common driver. UV radiation stimulates melanocytes to produce more melanin as a protective response. Cumulative sun exposure produces sun spots, diffuse tanning, and the irregular discoloration of photodamaged skin.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH): Follows any inflammatory injury to the skin — acne, cuts, burns, procedures, or irritation. The inflammatory cascade triggers excess melanin production at the site of injury. More pronounced in medium-to-darker skin tones.
Hormonal influence (melasma): Estrogen and progesterone stimulate melanocyte activity. Melasma appears as symmetrical, diffuse patches typically across the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip. Triggered or worsened by sun exposure, pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and perimenopause.
Patients with hyperpigmentation typically describe:
UV-driven hyperpigmentation accumulates with every year of sun exposure. Spots that were faint at 35 can become significantly more visible by 50 as melanocyte overactivation compounds and the skin's ability to regulate pigment production naturally declines.
Melasma can appear or worsen at multiple hormonal transition points — pregnancy, starting or stopping oral contraceptives, perimenopause — and will recur with UV exposure regardless of prior treatment. Managing it requires an ongoing commitment to sun protection and periodic maintenance treatment.
PIH tends to resolve over time without treatment in many patients, but slowly — taking 6–24 months to fade significantly. Active darkening slows once the inflammatory trigger is removed.
Treatment is selected based on the type and depth of pigmentation.
At CAMI, hyperpigmentation treatment starts with identification. Treating melasma with aggressive laser can worsen it. Treating PIH with the wrong peel can deepen it. The protocol is built around the specific type, the patient's skin tone, and the realistic outcomes for that combination.
We're also direct about what's achievable. Significant improvement is consistently possible. Complete, permanent resolution — particularly for melasma — requires ongoing management rather than a one-time intervention.
Care guided by experience, precision, and a deep understanding of natural beauty.
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I'm blown away with my Dysport experience with Madison. She is very knowledgeable, professional and meticulous.
Meredith is the absolutely best!! She is so sweet and her work is perfection! Always an amazing experience at CAMI! Highly recommend.
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I have been coming to CAMI for 5 to 6 years now and their service is bar none! I’m always exceptionally pleased with my results, as I rotate Botox and Xenomin. The staff are very friendly and I always make me feel right at home!
I can’t say enough about the entire team at CAMI and overall experience as a new patient. My concerns were addressed and at no point did I feel rushed or pressured to make a decision. Katie and the entire staff put me at ease. My results are amazing and have made me feel so much more confident. Thank you CAMI! Highly recommend!
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Ashley at CAMI has been amazing. She made me feel comfortable before, during and after my treatments and helped me feel more confident in my appearance
I saw Madison for my Botox appointment and she was the best! She listened to my concerns and I’m very pleased with the results. She also recommended some great skincare products! Can’t recommend this office enough!
I had a wonderful experience with Madison Mikolajczyk,. From the very beginning, she explained everything about my face in detail and with such professionalism that I immediately felt comfortable. I truly appreciated her honesty in telling me exactly what I needed and what would work best for my features. She performed my filler injections using the cannula method and normal injections which left me with beautiful, natural-looking results—and no bruising at all. No one can do that using that method with no bruising. The entire process was completely painless, as she took her time and worked so gently.I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. My results are subtle, natural, and exactly what I hoped for. I’m truly in love with the way my face looks now and would highly recommend her to anyone seeking safe, professional, and natural enhancements. I did Sculptra, Botox and Radiesse filler looking forward for more.
I’ve had nothing but a great experience at CAMI! Ashley is amazing at what she does, as someone who has never gotten any kind of injections before, she was very knowledgeable explaining everything to you beforehand, and will make you feel as comfortable and confident as possible!
I have been very happy with my services over the past few months. Meredith is so sweet and always makes my time there very comfortable. She is patient with me and never pushes me into anything I’m not comfortable with regarding my skin.
I love visiting the CAMI location in Huntersville! They treat everyone special and I left feeling refreshed and uplifted. It was my first time meeting Katie, and she was spectacular! She spent time addressing my needs and concerns and I will definitely request an appointment with Katie again. Thank you CAMI!!
Very personable fun atmosphere and relaxing. Normally I go to California for my facials but I feel very good going to CAMI in Huntersville for my beauty needs.
Easy to schedule consult and treatments! Wonderful welcoming staff at CAMI who make you feel relaxed and excited to be there. Will continue to choose CAMI for all cosmetic needs and recommend to everyone!
This is a great place to come for any facial treatments, fillers, etc. The staff is excellent and I felt totally pampered.
The team is awesome. The staff takes great care of me. I would highly recommend CAMI.
The team was amazing. This was my 1st time getting Botox. They were very thorough and informative. They made the experience easy.
Their team is highly skilled and very good at what they do. I have never had any type of facial treatments before and decided it was time for a little pick-me-up. They took the time to listen to my concerns and recommended the procedure that was best suited for the outcome I was wanting.
Ashley is fantastic! Professional, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. She’s my go-to for all my skincare maintenance needs. I always leave feeling confident and refreshed!
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I was honestly skeptical about trying CAMI since I hadn’t had the best experiences with Botox and other treatments elsewhere. But choosing CAMI turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. Madison, in particular, is the best nurse and injector I’ve ever worked with—she’s honest, genuinely cares about your results, and makes you feel like her top priority. While the treatments are an investment, as we age a little extra care and attention truly go a long way.
I Love CAMI, and all there staff! Katie Wilson is the absolute Beauty Making Queen!!! 👑 She is very particular when she was doing what I asked of and the results are perfection. I have recommended CAMI to multiple people and they are just as please. Thank you CAMI
I’m so glad I gave this med spa another chance. Everything feels completely different now in the best way. I had a hydrafacial and hydr with Meredith and noticed an immediate improvement in my skin. I went back and purchased a microneedling package, and the results have been good so far. Meredith truly made my experience there so much better. She made me feel comfortable, welcomed, and kept me laughing the entire time. She is also very honest, which I really appreciate. I’ve finally found my person, and I won’t let anyone else touch my face. Highly recommend!
