Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common skin concerns we see at WIFH. These dark spots, uneven tone, and stubborn patches of discoloration can affect your confidence and the way you feel in your own skin. However, these concerns don’t have to define your complexion. With today’s advanced laser treatments and medical-grade skincare, there are safe and effective solutions to restore clarity, balance, and brightness to your skin.
Our practitioners will create a personalized treatment plan that combines the most effective laser technology and medical-grade skincare to safely target hyperpigmentation and deliver visible, lasting results.
What Is Hyperpigmentation?
Before we treat hyperpigmentation, it’s important to understand what it is and how it impacts the skin. Hyperpigmentation is a common condition characterized by darkened patches of skin.
Hyperpigmentation can look different for everyone. For some people, it can appear as sun spots that build up over years of UV exposure. For others, it develops as melasma caused by hormonal changes or as dark marks that linger after acne clears. It can also occur when the skin becomes inflamed, such as irritation from razor bumps or ingrown hairs, leaving behind patches of discoloration even after the skin has healed.
Hyperpigmentation can be caused by several factors, including:
- Sun exposure: UV rays stimulate melanin production as a natural defense mechanism.
- Hormonal changes: Pregnancy, post-partum, birth control, and perimenopause/menopause can cause melasma to appear.
- Post-inflammatory response: Dark spots can form after acne breakouts, eczema flare-ups, bug bites, or skin irritation. Pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps) and ingrown hairs are also common causes, as the inflammation they create often leaves behind stubborn discoloration.
- Aging: Over time, the skin naturally develops discoloration such as age spots or sun spots.
No matter the cause, hyperpigmentation stems from the same process: an overproduction of pigment in the skin. By identifying what’s contributing to the discoloration, we can create a personalized treatment plan that effectively restores clarity and balance to your complexion.
The Emotional Impact of Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation affects people of all ages and every skin tone. It is medically harmless, but it can have a significant emotional impact.
Many patients describe feeling self-conscious about their appearance, avoiding social situations, or spending significant time and money trying to conceal the spots with makeup. The frustration of trying over-the-counter products that promise dramatic results but deliver minimal improvement can be emotionally draining.
For those with darker skin tones, discoloration can appear more prominent and take longer to fade. Men often struggle with pigmentation related to shaving irritation and ingrown hairs. This cycle of disappointment leads people to avoid mirrors, decline photo opportunities, or feel less confident in professional and personal settings.
At WIFH, we understand how frustrating this can be. Our treatments go beyond surface-level correction to help you regain confidence in your skin. With professional care and a customized plan, you can restore your peace of mind with visible, lasting improvements. Keep reading to learn how we treat hyperpigmentation at WIFH.
Laser Treatments for Hyperpigmentation at WIFH
At WIFH, we use advanced laser technology to safely and effectively treat a wide range of pigmentation concerns. Our laser and skin experts take the time to evaluate your unique skin type, tone, and the underlying cause of discoloration before recommending the most effective approach.
Depending on your needs, we may use IPL, CoolPeel CO₂, or Fractional CO₂ to target pigment at different depths. These treatments can address everything from sun damage and age spots and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
To enhance and maintain results, we pair laser treatments with medical-grade skincare such as the Obagi Nu-Derm Kit, Obagi-C Clarifying Serum with Hydroquinone, WIFH Brightening Pads, or Alastin A-Luminate Brightening Serum. This combination not only corrects existing discoloration but also helps prevent new pigmentation and supports overall skin health.
Because every patient’s pigmentation is unique, your practitioner will create a customized plan that blends in-office laser treatments with an at-home skincare routine designed to achieve lasting clarity and balance.
We offer several laser treatments for hyperpigmentation. At WIFH, our laser and skin experts take the time to understand your specific concerns, your skin type, and your skin tone in order to recommend the most effective treatment plan.
Types of Hyperpigmentation Laser Treatments
Lasers are one of the most effective treatments for hyperpigmentation because they precisely target excess melanin beneath the surface of the skin. Using controlled wavelengths of light, each hyperpigmentation laser treatment breaks down concentrated pigment while leaving surrounding tissue unharmed in a process known as selective photothermolysis. Over time, your body naturally clears the pigment particles, revealing a clearer, more balanced complexion.
At WIFH, we recognize that every case of hyperpigmentation is unique. That’s why we use several advanced laser platforms, each designed to treat pigmentation at different depths and safely accommodate a range of skin tones. Our goal is simple: to customize your treatment, correct discoloration, and support long-term skin health with both in-office technology and medical-grade skincare.
The best laser for hyperpigmentation depends on your skin type and the depth of discoloration. At WIFH, we offer a range of laser treatments to address everything from sun damage to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation:
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) PhotoFacial
The IPL PhotoFacial (Intense Pulsed Light) is one of the most effective treatments for reducing hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage,most popular hyperpigmentation laser treatments for sun damage, freckles, and age spots. It works by delivering pulses of light energy that gently heat the skin and break up pigment clusters without damaging the surrounding tissue.
In the days following treatment, the targeted pigment begins to rise to the surface, creating a temporary “peppering” effect: small, dark specks that look like scattered freckles. These spots naturally flake off over the next few days or weeks, revealing a clearer, more even complexion underneath.
In addition to treating discoloration, IPL can also help minimize redness, calm rosacea, and reduce visible facial vessels; these added benefits enhance the skin’s overall clarity and tone.
Best for:
- Sun damage and photoaging
- Freckles and age spots
- Uneven skin tone from UV exposure
- Redness, rosacea, and visible facial vessels
- Enlarged pores
Typical treatment timeline (may vary): Most patients require a series of treatments for the best results.
- Sun damage: typically 3 treatments
- Rosacea: typically 6 to 8 treatments
Each session is spaced about 4 to 6 weeks apart, depending on your skin type and specific concerns.
CoolPeel CO₂
The CoolPeel CO₂ is a revolutionary advancement in CO₂ resurfacing technology, offering all the benefits of a traditional CO₂ laser with minimal heat and no downtime.
This treatment gently removes the outer layer of damaged skin cells, lightening superficial pigmentation while improving texture, fine lines, and overall radiance. By stimulating collagen production and skin renewal, CoolPeel CO₂ helps create smoother, more even-toned skin without the need for extended recovery.
Unlike traditional CO₂ lasers, CoolPeel delivers short bursts of high energy that precisely target the skin’s surface while minimizing heat damage to surrounding tissue. This controlled delivery significantly reduces redness, swelling, and discomfort, making it one of the safest and most comfortable resurfacing options for most skin tones.
Best for:
- Mild-to-moderate pigmentation
- Dull, rough, or textured skin
- Fine lines and early signs of aging
- Uneven skin tone from UV exposure
- Enlarged pores and mild acne scarring
Typical treatment timeline (may vary): 4 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Most patients begin to notice improvement within weeks, with full results developing gradually over 3 to 6 months after the final session as new collagen continues to remodel and the skin fully renews.
Fractional CO₂ Laser
The Fractional CO₂ Laser is one of the most advanced resurfacing treatments for stubborn hyperpigmentation and long-term sun damage. It penetrates deeper than other resurfacing lasers to target both surface and sub-surface pigment while improving texture, tone, and overall skin quality.
Traditional CO₂ lasers once required lengthy recovery times and treated the entire surface of the skin. Thanks to modern fractional technology, we can now deliver energy in a precise, computer-guided grid pattern that treats only a fraction of the skin at a time. This creates microscopic channels that trigger the body’s natural healing response, stimulating collagen and elastin production while leaving surrounding tissue intact for faster healing.
As your skin repairs itself, new, healthy cells replace damaged ones, revealing a smoother, brighter complexion. Over time, dark spots fade, texture softens, and fine lines become less visible. Fractional CO₂ also helps tighten the skin, refine pores, and smooth deeper wrinkles that other treatments, like Botox or Dysport, cannot address.
Because it penetrates deeply, this treatment is best suited for lighter skin tones and requires a brief recovery period of about 5 to 7 days. During your consultation, your practitioner will evaluate your skin type and pigmentation concerns to ensure you’re an ideal candidate and recommend a pre-treatment skincare regimen to prepare your skin for optimal healing and results.
Best for:
- Severe sun damage
- Uneven tone and texture
- Deep fine lines and wrinkles
- Acne scarring
Typical treatment timeline (may vary): 3 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Results continue to improve for several months as new collagen forms and the skin remodels.
Laser Hair Removal
While most people think of laser hair removal solely as a “hair removal” treatment, it can also play an important role in improving certain types of hyperpigmentation. Repeated shaving, waxing, or friction can cause inflammation in the skin, leading to dark spots and uneven tone over time. This is especially common in areas like the jawline, beard line, underarms, bikini area, chin, and neck.
Laser hair removal targets and disables the hair follicle to prevent the cycle of irritation, inflammation, and discoloration. By reducing hair growth and eliminating ingrown hairs (known as pseudofolliculitis barbae), it helps the skin heal and return to a smoother, more even appearance. Over time, the treated areas become less prone to pigmentation and irritation.
Best for:
- Pigmentation from shaving or waxing irritation
- Razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae)
- Ingrown hair–related dark spots
- Preventing recurrent inflammation and discoloration
Typical treatment timeline (may vary): Packages typically include 8 sessions spaced 6 weeks apart, allowing for consistent hair reduction and long-term improvement in skin tone and texture.
More Hyperpigmentation Treatment Options
At WIFH, we take a comprehensive approach to treating hyperpigmentation, combining in-office technology with non-laser therapies to achieve lasting, balanced results. In addition to laser treatments, we offer several options that safely target discoloration, improve texture, and enhance overall skin clarity.
Our other professional treatments include:
- Chemical Peels: Medical-grade peels exfoliate the outer layers of skin to lift surface pigment and accelerate cell turnover. Peels such as the VI Peel are especially effective for sun damage, acne-related dark spots, and melasma, and can be paired with laser sessions to boost brightness and smoothness.
- Microdermabrasion: A gentle, mechanical exfoliation that removes dull, dead skin cells and helps fade mild pigmentation over time. Regular sessions encourage healthy cell renewal and improve the absorption of medical-grade skincare.
- Facials: The HydraFacial and Oxygen Facial support skin health and maintain results between stronger treatments. HydraFacial gently exfoliates and hydrates the skin, while the HydraFacial Plus adds brightening boosters to target uneven tone. Oxygen Facials infuse antioxidant-rich serums that boost hydration and radiance, helping to keep the skin clear and balanced over time.
During your complimentary consultation, your practitioner will design a personalized treatment plan that targets the root cause of your hyperpigmentation and recommend a customized medical-grade skincare regimen to help prevent new discoloration and maintain long-term skin health, clarity, and confidence.
Best Hyperpigmentation Treatment in Atlanta at WIFH
Whether you’re struggling with stubborn melasma, years of sun damage, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, WIFH has the expertise and technology to help you achieve smoother, more even-toned skin.
Ready to say goodbye to uneven skin tone and hello to the radiant complexion you deserve?
Discover why patients across Atlanta trust WIFH for advanced laser and skincare treatments:
- 12x Best of Atlanta winner
- 20+ years in Atlanta
- 1.5+ million treatments performed
- Trusted by patients across 52+ ethnicities
- All treatments performed by licensed NPs, PAs, RNs, or LMEs
- Convenient Sandy Springs location & free consultations
Schedule your personalized hyperpigmentation consultation at WIFH today.
Laser for Hyperpigmentation - Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, laser treatment works for hyperpigmentation. Lasers are particularly effective for sunspots and age spots. The key is matching the laser treatment to your specific hyperpigmentation needs. The best laser treatment depends on what you want to address:
- IPL PhotoFacial: Best for sun damage, freckles, age spots and UV-related discoloration.
- CoolPeel CO₂: Ideal for skin resurfacing, improving texture, and lightening superficial pigmentation with no downtime.
- Fractional CO₂ Laser: Designed for stubborn pigmentation or deep sun damage while also improving tone and texture.
- Laser Hair Removal: Particularly effective for discoloration related to shaving irritation, razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae), and ingrown hairs.
The amount of laser sessions needed to see results depends on which laser treatment you choose. The number of sessions also depends on the severity of your hyperpigmentation and skin tone. Here’s an estimate of how many sessions to expect depending on treatment type:
- IPL PhotoFacial: 3 treatments spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
- CoolPeel CO₂: 4 treatments spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
- Fractional CO₂ Laser: 3 treatments spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
- Laser Hair Removal: Typically 8 sessions, spaced 6 weeks apart.
Yes, laser treatment for hyperpigmentation is safe when performed by trained practitioners using FDA-approved technology. At WIFH, every treatment plan is customized based on your skin type, tone, and pigmentation concerns to ensure both safety and effectiveness.
Not every laser is suitable for darker skin tones. IPL and Fractional CO₂ lasers can safely treat up to Fitzpatrick Skin Type III. For patients with deeper skin tones, we use other advanced technologies that are specifically designed to be safe for all complexions, such as Laser Hair Removal performed with the Nd:YAG laser and the CoolPeel CO₂, which delivers resurfacing benefits safely across all skin tones.
Our team has over 90+ years of combined laser experience treating diverse skin tones. They take every precaution to ensure each treatment is performed safely, effectively, and with consistent results for every patient.
Laser treatments can provide long-lasting improvement in hyperpigmentation, but results depend on the underlying cause. For example, sun damage and age spots often respond well and may stay faded for years with consistent sun protection and the right skincare routine.
At WIFH, your practitioner will create a customized maintenance plan to help keep your skin clear, balanced, and even-toned over time.
Hyperpigmentation results can last for years with proper sun protection and medical-grade skincare. Deeper pigmentation or hormone-related discoloration may require periodic maintenance treatments every 1-2 years to maintain optimal results. You can expect the following timelines based on the treatments below:
- IPL PhotoFacial: With proper skincare, results can last for years, but yearly follow-up treatments are needed to maintain results
- CoolPeel CO₂: Results continue to improve for several months as new collagen develops, with smoother, more even skin that can last well beyond a year when paired with consistent skincare and sun protection.
- Fractional CO₂ Laser: Lasts about 3–5 years. The treatment offers lasting skin improvement, but ongoing skincare, sun protection, and maintenance treatments help preserve your results.
- Laser Hair Removal: Most patients see a 75–90% reduction in hair growth after completing 8 sessions. Because hormonal fluctuations can stimulate new growth on the face, maintenance treatments may be needed to maintain smooth, even-toned skin.
What to expect after your hyperpigmentation laser treatment depends on the type of treatment and number of sessions. Here’s a breakdown of what to typically expect after each treatment:
- IPL PhotoFacial: After your IPL PhotoFacial, your skin may feel warm (similar to a mild sunburn) for several hours. Redness or slight swelling is normal and typically resolves within 2–3 days. Over the next few days, treated pigment spots will darken, then gently crust and flake off as your skin renews itself. This process can take up to two weeks, revealing a more even, radiant complexion beneath.
- CoolPeel CO₂: One of the biggest advantages of the CoolPeel is its minimal downtime. You’ll leave with a customized post-care kit to support healing and hydration. Expect mild redness and warmth, much like a light sunburn, for a day or two. Most patients resume normal activities right away while the skin continues to brighten and smooth over time.
- Fractional CO₂ Laser: Fractional CO₂ treatments are more intensive and deliver dramatic results for deeper pigment concerns. Immediately after treatment, it’s common to experience redness, swelling, and pinpoint bleeding. Redness and mild peeling may continue for up to seven days. Strict sun avoidance is essential for at least four weeks following treatment to protect your healing skin and maintain results. We’ll provide all your post-procedure products and recommend cleansing your skin at least three times daily during recovery.
- Laser Hair Removal: While laser hair removal is best known for reducing unwanted hair, it also helps improve post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by shaving or ingrown hairs. There’s no downtime: most patients return to normal activities immediately. Mild redness can occur but typically fades within minutes to a few hours, and rarely up to 24–48 hours.
