„We discussed my skin concerns after analyzing the results from my facial skin photos and developed a plan outlining the next steps to address those concerns."
Sekar I. AURA 3D skin analysis with Alexandra
Fresha5,0 ★800+ reviews
V-NISSGCertificate of competence
Zurich HBKonradstrasse 1
Hyperpigmentation · Pigment spots · Zurich HB
Hyperpigmentation: The pimple is gone, but the dark spot remains.
Discoloration after acne, a dull, uneven complexion — that’s not a question of the right cream. And it can be targeted.
Free AURA 3D skin analysis →CHF 0 · 60 mins · no sales pressure
View suitable treatments ↓
Does this sound familiar?
Perhaps you've been there:
After every spot, a dark mark is left behind, often for months.
Your acne is under control, but your complexion still looks unsettled.
You pressed in one place – and you still see it months later.
Your complexion looks uneven after every summer.
You cover certain spots every morning before you leave the house.
You've tried brightening creams. Not much has happened.
What's behind it
Why hyperpigmentation and discoloration occur
Hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin produces too much melanin in certain areas. This most often happens after an inflammation: Melanocytes react to the stimulus by overproducing pigment, which remains behind long after the trigger has disappeared. This is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH for short.
Three patterns are most common. Which one applies to you will determine the path:
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
The skin has reacted to inflammation – acne, an irritation, a product that was too aggressive – and left behind dark pigment. This is the most common form that comes to us. It is more pronounced and persistent in darker skin types. How deep the pigment sits depends on how deep the inflammation went.
Sun-induced discolouration
Years of UV radiation add up and leave the complexion uneven. Typical on the cheeks, forehead, back of the hands and neckline. Clearly delineated brown spots (sunspots or age spots) are first checked by a doctor – their treatment with laser or IPL is reserved for female doctors in Switzerland. We work on the complexion around them: peels, skin renewal, sun protection.
Hormone-induced pigmentation (melasma)
Triggered by hormones and amplified by the sun. Tends to recur easily and requires a reserved approach.
And they feed each other: a post-inflammatory spot exposed to sun turns darker and lingers longer. That is why sun protection is not an afterthought here, but part of the treatment.
Honestly ranked
Why skin-lightening creams rarely work — and what makes it worse
Most lightening products work on the epidermis. For superficial pigment, this can achieve something over months. If the melanin is deeper, they simply cannot reach it. However, what works in the other direction is more important:
Irritation produces the very pigment you want to get rid of
Lemon, baking powder, aggressive home remedies – they irritate the skin. Inflammation is the trigger for PIH. The area becomes darker instead of lighter.
Too much at once
Strong acids plus retinol plus mechanical exfoliation. The barrier gives way, the skin reacts with irritation, new pigment forms. Patience is key for pigment. More on our page about dehydrated skin
With pigments, it's the setting, not the device, that counts
Any procedure that introduces energy into the skin can trigger a adverse reaction if the dosage is incorrect or the skin type is misjudged – more pigment instead of less. This is not an argument against technology. It is the reason why skin analysis precedes every pigment treatment with us, and why we approach darker skin tones differently than lighter ones.
Prevention
Half of the work is done at home
This isn't an advertisement; it's the reason why some results last and others don't.
SPF 50 broad spectrum, daily
Even in winter, even at your desk. UVA penetrates clouds and window panes, activating melanocytes without noticeable sun.
In a randomised long-term trial lasting four and a half years, the group with daily application showed approximately a quarter less skin ageing than the control group.
Hughes et al., Annals of Internal Medicine 2013 — View study
With pigment: tinted, with iron oxide
Not only UV causes the pigment to darken, but also visible light. Classic filters hardly cover that; iron oxide certainly does.
In a double-blind, randomised study involving 68 female participants, skin appearance improved more significantly with sunscreen containing iron oxide than with UV protection alone.
Castanedo-Cazares et al., Photodermatology, Photoimmunology and Photomedicine 2014 — View study
Vitamin C in the morning, before SPF
It interferes with the enzymatic pathway involved in melanin production whilst also protecting against oxidative stress caused by UV radiation.
It doesn't replace SPF. Together, they work better than either on its own.
We'll discuss which products suit your skin during the analysis. With no sales pressure.
What we work with
Here's how we approach pigment at alestetics®
There is no single treatment for pigmentation. Which approach is suitable depends on what caused the discolouration and how deep it is. That's why analysis comes first, not the device.
Core treatments
Peeling · no heat
PRX-T33®
TCA with kojic acid, no heat, no downtime. Directly targets melanin production. Our first choice for post-acne discolouration.
Find out more →IPL · Complexion
Stellar M22™ IPL
Light in multiple wavelengths, which is absorbed by excess pigment. We use it for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and for an uneven complexion. It is contraindicated for melasma.
Find out more →Thulium Laser · Skin Resurfacing
LaseMD Ultra™
Fractional Thulium Laser, 1927 nm. Its energy is absorbed by water, not melanin – it works on the skin's renewal itself. For a more even complexion, finer texture, and pores. Possible all year round and adjustable for different skin tones.
Find out more →In addition, depending on your skin type
- BioRePeel® Accelerates cell renewal without visible peeling. Good in series, no downtime.
- SkinPen® Microneedling — purely mechanical, no heat. Safe for all skin tones and therefore particularly suitable for PIH.
- Vivace® RF Microneedling — when discolouration comes with uneven texture or acne scars.
- HydraFacial™ — prepares the skin and keeps the complexion clear between sessions.
- Dermadrop TDA® — delivers active ingredients needle-free, as maintenance between more intensive treatments.
How this is spread across the dates
IPL and laser each get their own session because they deliver energy into the skin. HydraFacial™ or a scrub at the same session beforehand LaseMD Ultra™ — the skin is then cleansed and the pores are clear, instead of energy being lost to sebum and keratinisation.
We schedule Fillmed NCTF® and PolyPhil™ one week later, once the skin has completed its initial renewal.
In the case of hormonally-induced pigmentation, we work deliberately in a restrained manner: gentle peels, strict sun protection and honest expectations. We do not use lasers and IPL in this case. Melasma can be controlled, not eliminated.
Always included
Dermalux™ LED is included with every facial and soothes the skin — which is doubly beneficial for pigmentation. Followed by SPF 50.
The free AURA 3D skin analysis will show you the perfect combination for you. The camera also reveals pigmentation beneath the surface – areas that are not yet visible in the mirror.
Free AURA 3D skin analysis →The procedure
Your journey at alestetics®
01
Free AURA 3D skin analysis
The camera shows pigment even beneath the surface, where it's not yet visible in the mirror. After that, you'll know which pattern you have.
02
Your combination
Treatment pathway, sequence, and a realistic timeframe – tailored to your skin tone and how deep the pigment sits.
03
Care and protection
Without sun protection, the discolouration will return. We're planning for this from the start, rather than tacking it on at the end.
Why we
Why alestetics®
Specialising in pre-aging
Women's team with a certificate of competence under V-NISSG and a focus on skin quality instead of individual procedures. Two minutes from Zurich HB.
A system rather than a single device
With pigments, the order of application determines the result. We combine them in a way that the steps don't hinder one another.
Honest assessment
With melasma, we’ll tell you what’s realistic — even if that means recommending a treatment. 800+ reviews.
Frequently asked questions
You might be wondering
How long do dark spots after acne last?
Without treatment, often months, sometimes over a year - depending on how deep the inflammation went and how much sun the area was exposed to. With targeted treatment and consistent sun protection, it is usually significantly faster.
Will hyperpigmentation disappear completely?
This depends on the pattern and depth. Superficial pigment responds well, while deeper pigmentation requires multiple sessions. The aim is a more even complexion, not guaranteed complete disappearance.
How many sessions will I need?
As a rule, a short series over a few weeks. With LaseMD Ultra™, we typically plan three sessions spaced three to four weeks apart. The exact number is determined after the AURA 3D skin analysis.
Can I have hyperpigmentation treated in the summer too?
Partially. Peels, microneedling and LaseMD Ultra™ are possible year-round — LaseMD absorbs its energy from water and doesn't rely on tanning contrast. Stellar M22™ IPL, on the other hand, we prefer to schedule for the darker half of the year because it needs untanned skin.
Does this work on darker skin?
Yes, with adjusted selection. SkinPen® and gentle peels work without heat, LaseMD Ultra™ can be adjusted in power and density. For darker skin types, there is a higher risk of new irritant pigmentation — this determines what we can and cannot work with.
What about melasma?
Melasma is hormonally related and tends to recur. We do not use lasers and IPL for melasma. We work gently, with strict sun protection, and with the goal of control rather than cure.
Is there any downtime after the treatment?
Peels and microneedling can usually be easily integrated into your daily routine. After LaseMD Ultra™, expect one to three days: the skin will be red on the day of treatment, after which it will feel slightly rough and flake a little. Make-up is possible the following day.
Can you tell that I've had something done?
The complexion gradually becomes more even. There isn't a single day where something suddenly looks different.
What does a pigment treatment cost in Zurich?
That depends on the combination. You can find an overview on our Prices page →. The AURA 3D skin analysis is free, and together we can determine what is advisable.
I'm already using a brightening cream — do I still need this one?
Usually yes, as a supplement. It doesn't replace the treatment, but it does keep the results more stable. We'll clarify what suits your skin during the analysis.
Next step
Before you buy the next brightening cream, let's take a look together.
The AURA 3D skin analysis reveals the type of discolouration you have and how deep it is. This then shows the way forward – or indeed, the honest information that patience and sun protection will provide more benefit than any treatment.
Free AURA 3D skin analysis →CHF 0 · 60 mins · Konradstrasse 1, 8005 Zurich Central Station
Medically reviewed by Alexandra Stroganova, Founder & Pre-Aging Expert · As of: October 2026
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Fresha„exilis w/ katia … great service, very thorough, and super friendly. nice results as well… had already icoon some days before ,-)"
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Fresha„Ich möchte mich bei katja bedanken das sie mich so freundlich und kompetent beraten hat. Ich kann sie nur weiterempfehlen. Immer freundlich und aufgestellt. So etwas sieht man heutzutage selten. Danke für alles😊"
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Fresha„Alex was pleasant to speak with and was able to answer all of my questions about my treatments and future treatments."
Craig T. Primelase® consultation with Alexandra
Fresha„Aleksandra was very professional, warm and friendly. I was given great advice for what I needed even though I booked a completely different treatment. All risks and considerations well explained and I never felt 'sold' too. Great consultation… I found my new treatment home."
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