Hyperpigmentation Treatment at Marie Hayag, MD

Dr. Marie Hayag is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of pigmentary skin conditions, including hyperpigmentation. At her Upper East Side practice, hyperpigmentation care begins with a physician-led evaluation to determine the underlying cause, depth, and pattern of discoloration.

Using advanced dermatologic technology, resurfacing treatments, and medical-grade skincare, Dr. Hayag develops customized treatment plans designed to safely improve uneven skin tone, reduce dark spots, and restore a clearer, more balanced complexion. This evidence-based approach focuses not only on correcting existing pigmentation but also on protecting long-term skin health and minimizing recurrence.

Hyperpigmentation occurs when excess melanin causes certain areas of the skin to appear darker than the surrounding tissue. Melanin is the natural pigment responsible for skin color, but certain triggers can stimulate excess production, resulting in uneven patches or dark spots on the skin.

Common triggers include sun exposure, inflammation, hormonal fluctuations, acne, and skin injury. Hyperpigmentation may appear on the face, neck, chest, hands, or other sun-exposed areas and can vary significantly in depth, pattern, and severity. Because different types of pigmentation require different treatment approaches, dermatologist evaluation is essential before selecting corrective therapies.

Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition characterized by darkened patches or spots caused by increased melanin production. It is one of the most common dermatologic concerns affecting adults and can develop in people of all skin tones.

Several common types of hyperpigmentation include:

• Sun spots (solar lentigines) caused by chronic sun exposure
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) following acne, injury, or irritation
• Melasma, a hormonally influenced pigmentation condition often affecting the face
• Age-related pigmentation changes that develop over time

While many cases are cosmetic, some pigmented lesions may resemble other skin conditions. A dermatologist-led diagnosis ensures that discoloration is accurately identified before treatment begins.

Because hyperpigmentation can vary in depth, cause, and skin type, treatment often involves a combination of dermatologic technologies and physician-guided therapies. At Marie Hayag MD, treatment plans are carefully selected based on individual skin characteristics and pigment patterns.

BBL HERO (BroadBand Light High Energy Rapid Output) is an advanced light-based technology designed to target excess melanin and improve overall skin tone.

BBL HERO IPL can reduce sun spots, age spots, and diffuse pigmentation while improving skin clarity and brightness.

Ideal for patients with sun-induced hyperpigmentation or uneven pigmentation seeking a non-invasive treatment with minimal downtime.

IPL is a light-based dermatologic treatment that delivers controlled pulses of light to target pigment irregularities in the skin.

IPL helps reduce brown spots, redness, and uneven pigmentation while improving overall skin tone.

Ideal for patients with mild to moderate sun damage or pigmentation irregularities.

Aerolase Neo Elite is a gentle laser technology designed to treat pigmentation concerns while remaining safe for a wide range of skin types.

It helps improve melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone while supporting skin rejuvenation.

Ideal for patients seeking a comfortable, non-invasive laser option suitable for sensitive or darker skin tones.

Vbeam is a pulsed dye laser commonly used to treat vascular skin conditions and certain types of discoloration.

It helps improve redness, vascular pigmentation, and some forms of inflammatory discoloration that contribute to uneven skin tone.

Ideal for patients experiencing redness-associated pigmentation or vascular skin concerns.

Fraxel is a fractional laser resurfacing treatment that stimulates collagen production while targeting pigment irregularities.

Fraxel helps improve deeper pigmentation, sun damage, and uneven skin texture while promoting skin renewal.

Ideal for patients with moderate pigmentation concerns or sun damage seeking more intensive skin resurfacing.

Clear and Brilliant is a gentle fractional laser designed to refresh the skin and improve tone and texture.

This treatment helps brighten dull skin, improve mild pigmentation, and maintain overall skin radiance.

Ideal for patients seeking early pigment correction or preventative skin rejuvenation.

AVAVA is an advanced laser technology designed to treat pigmentation while supporting skin regeneration.

It helps improve uneven skin tone, photodamage, and pigmentation irregularities while promoting skin renewal.

Ideal for patients seeking advanced laser treatment for complex pigment concerns.

Chemical peels use medical-grade exfoliating solutions to remove damaged outer layers of skin and stimulate cell turnover.

Peels help lighten dark spots, refine skin tone, and support collagen renewal for brighter, more even-looking skin.

Ideal for patients with superficial pigmentation, dullness, or uneven tone seeking gradual improvement.

Medical facials are dermatologist-directed treatments designed to cleanse, exfoliate, and support skin renewal.

They help improve skin clarity, enhance radiance, and complement pigment-correcting treatments.

Ideal for patients seeking maintenance care or supportive treatment alongside laser or light-based therapies.

Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen and improve skin tone and texture.

This treatment helps improve post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, acne-related discoloration, and overall skin quality.

Ideal for patients with pigmentation associated with acne scarring or textural skin changes.

PicoWay is an FDA-cleared picosecond laser that uses ultra-short pulses of energy to treat pigmentation, acne scars, fine lines, and unwanted tattoos in a physician-led setting.

PicoWay breaks pigment and tattoo ink into tiny fragments the body clears naturally and stimulates new collagen production, improving tone, texture, and clarity with minimal downtime.

Ideal for patients dealing with sun spots, melasma, acne scarring, fine lines, or an unwanted tattoo, especially those with skin tones that made other lasers feel too risky.

You may be a good candidate for hyperpigmentation treatment if you:

• Have dark spots, uneven skin tone, or discoloration that does not improve with over-the-counter products
• Experience pigmentation related to sun exposure, acne, inflammation, or hormonal changes
• Want physician-guided treatment tailored to your skin type and pigmentation pattern
• Prefer safe, evidence-based dermatologic solutions

A consultation is necessary to determine the underlying cause of pigmentation and the most appropriate treatment approach.

Hyperpigmentation treatments are typically performed in-office and are well tolerated. Depending on the technology used, patients may experience mild redness, warmth, or temporary darkening of pigment before gradual fading occurs.

Downtime is usually minimal, though recovery can vary depending on treatment intensity and the depth of pigmentation being addressed. Results typically develop gradually over several weeks as the skin renews itself.

Long-term improvement requires ongoing sun protection and maintenance care to prevent recurrence.

The cost of hyperpigmentation treatment depends on several factors, including the type of treatment selected, the number of sessions required, and the extent of pigmentation being addressed.

Because hyperpigmentation can have multiple underlying causes, treatment plans are customized for each patient. A personalized cost estimate is provided during consultation following dermatologic evaluation.

Effective pigment correction requires medical expertise and careful treatment planning. At Marie Hayag MD, patients benefit from:

• Care from a board-certified dermatologist
• Accurate diagnosis of pigment type and underlying cause
• Treatment plans customized for all skin tones and pigment patterns
• Access to advanced laser, light-based, and resurfacing technologies
• A long-term strategy focused on skin health and pigmentation prevention

This physician-led approach ensures safe, effective treatment while supporting long-term skin clarity.

Hyperpigmentation can resemble other pigmentary conditions, making accurate diagnosis essential before treatment begins. At Marie Hayag MD, every patient undergoes a comprehensive dermatologic evaluation to determine the cause, depth, and pattern of pigmentation.

This physician-led approach allows Dr. Hayag to recommend the safest and most effective treatment plan for each individual.

To schedule your appointment, please call 212-722-2055 or book online. Our Upper East Side dermatology practice proudly serves patients throughout Manhattan and New York City.