Dark spots and melasma: why they appear and how they are treated

Living on the Costa del Sol has many advantages, but your skin notices it: pigmentation is one of the most common reasons people visit our centre. Before treating, the key is knowing what type of spot it is, because each responds to different techniques.

The most common types

• Sun spots (solar lentigines): well-defined brown marks on the face, décolletage and hands, caused by accumulated sun exposure.
• Melasma: more diffuse patches on the forehead, cheeks or upper lip, linked to hormones (pregnancy, contraceptives) and to sun and heat. It is chronic and tends to come back.
• Acne marks: spots left after breakouts, especially in skin prone to pigmentation.

Which treatments help

• Cosmelan: a leading depigmenting protocol for melasma and sun spots. It combines an in-clinic phase and a home phase that regulates melanin production. More on Cosmelan in Nerja.
• Laser and light: very useful for well-defined sun spots. With melasma caution is needed: some lights and lasers can make it worse, so a prior diagnosis is essential. See Q-Switched laser.
• Peels: renew the surface layer and even out the tone; they can be combined with other treatments.

See all options on pigmentation treatments in Nerja.

What matters most: maintenance

Many spots fade noticeably, but they can come back if the skin is exposed to the sun or there are hormonal changes. So:

• High-protection sunscreen every day, also in winter and on cloudy days, reapplied when outdoors.
• A cap or hat at the beach and in the middle of the day.
• A home routine with depigmenting actives that we tailor to your skin.

When to start?

The most intensive treatments are recommended in autumn and winter, when there is less sun. Some gentle protocols can be done all year round. If you wonder what kind of spot you have and what suits it, book an assessment: we analyse your skin and suggest a realistic plan.