Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common and most mismanaged skin concerns. Melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and solar lentigines each have different drivers and respond to different treatment approaches. Getting the assessment right before starting treatment is essential.
At GhalMédica in Pointe-Claire, pigmentation concerns are assessed carefully before any treatment is recommended. Skin type, trigger history, hormonal factors, and sun exposure patterns are all considered before a plan is designed.
Not all dark marks are the same. Treating melasma the same way as sun spots — or post-inflammatory pigmentation the same way as freckles — leads to poor outcomes. Accurate assessment is the first step.
A hormonally driven pigmentation pattern that typically appears symmetrically across the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip. Triggered or worsened by UV exposure, hormonal changes, and heat. Requires a very careful, conservative treatment approach.
Dark marks left after inflammation — from acne, procedures, or injury. Pronounced in darker skin tones. Requires treatment planning that avoids triggering further inflammation.
Sun spots caused by cumulative UV exposure. Among the more straightforward types of pigmentation to address clinically — though diligent sun protection is required to prevent recurrence.
General uneven tone, dullness, and irregular pigmentation across sun-exposed areas — a combination of cellular damage and disrupted melanin production from years of UV exposure.
Treatment is never assumed at GhalMédica. Peel selection, treatment intensity, and protocol design are always determined by skin type and pigmentation type — never applied generically.
Carefully selected peels — Vivier Jessner and SkinCeuticals — target pigmentation through controlled exfoliation and melanin disruption. Selection and intensity are always determined by skin type and pigmentation type.
Supports pigmentation correction by stimulating cellular renewal and improving skin quality. Always combined with appropriate topical support and sun protection.
Addresses surface dullness and mild pigmentation through hydradermabrasion and antioxidant serum infusion. Used as a preparatory or maintenance treatment within a broader pigmentation plan.
Antioxidant-rich protocols that neutralize free radical damage, brighten uneven tone, and address UV-related pigmentation at the surface level.
Pigmentation treatment at GhalMédica always begins with careful assessment — never a standard approach.
Vivier Mild, Jessner, and SkinCeuticals peels. Selected and individualized based on your skin type and pigmentation concern.
Learn More →Medical-grade collagen induction to support cellular renewal and overall skin quality.
Learn More →Hydradermabrasion and antioxidant serum infusion for surface dullness and mild pigmentation.
Learn More →Antioxidant-rich protocols to neutralize free radical damage and address UV-related pigmentation.
Learn More →Some types respond very well. Solar lentigines often clear significantly. Melasma is a chronic condition — it can be managed and reduced, but can return with UV exposure or hormonal changes.
Yes, but treatment planning must be very careful. Certain procedures and ingredients can trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones if not selected and applied correctly. Skin type is always assessed first.
In many cases, yes. Retinoids increase skin sensitivity. Your practitioner will advise on the appropriate washout period — typically one to two weeks before in-clinic treatments.
UV exposure is the primary trigger for most forms of hyperpigmentation, and the primary cause of recurrence after treatment. Without consistent daily SPF, the results of any pigmentation treatment will not hold.
No. Most effective melasma treatments — including chemical peels and many active ingredients — are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Management focuses on sun protection during this period.
This depends entirely on the type and degree of pigmentation. A course of three to six chemical peels is common for diffuse pigmentation. Melasma management is typically longer-term. A realistic timeline is discussed at consultation.
GhalMédica is a physician-led medical aesthetics clinic in Pointe-Claire, serving patients from Beaconsfield, Kirkland, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, and across the West Island and greater Montreal.
with a consultation.
Dr. Sonya Ghalehii, MD will assess your pigmentation type, skin type, and history before recommending any treatment — because the right diagnosis always comes first.