Pigmentation · Pune
Pigmentation and melasma in Pune: sun protection that actually works for Indian skin
6 min read · Published 21 September 2026 · Updated 21 September 2026
Medically reviewed by Dr Ankita Shah, Lead Dermatologist
Pune sits on the Deccan plateau, and for much of the year the sunlight is bright, direct and unfiltered by humidity. For skin that already produces melanin readily, this is the single biggest driver of dark spots, uneven tone and melasma.
Pigmentation is also one of the concerns people self-treat for longest before seeking help, and one where the wrong product can make things worse.
Types of pigmentation you might be seeing
Post-inflammatory pigmentation is the dark mark left behind after a pimple, cut or rash heals. Melasma is symmetrical, patchy pigmentation, usually on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip, driven by hormones and sunlight. Sun spots and freckles appear on the most exposed areas after years of UV exposure.
Each of these is treated differently, which is why diagnosis comes before any peel or laser.
Sunscreen: the part everyone gets slightly wrong
For pigmentation, UVA protection matters as much as SPF. Look for a broad-spectrum product with a PA rating, and use enough of it, roughly two finger-lengths for the face and neck. Most people apply a fraction of that.
Reapply if you are outdoors for extended periods, commuting on a two-wheeler, or sitting by a window. For melasma in particular, physical protection, a cap, sunglasses, a scarf, makes a visible difference alongside sunscreen.
What not to do
Over-the-counter fairness creams and unregulated steroid-containing creams are a common cause of worsened, harder-to-treat pigmentation and thinned skin. Aggressive scrubbing and frequent home peels irritate the skin, and irritation itself triggers more pigment.
Treatment options at a dermatology clinic in Pune
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment can combine prescription lightening agents, medical-grade peels and laser toning with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Melasma is managed rather than cured, it responds to treatment but returns with sun exposure, so protection is part of the plan for the long term.
At Own Skin, pigmentation is assessed under magnification before any treatment is suggested, and plans are built for Indian skin tones.
Frequently asked questions
- Can melasma be cured?
- Melasma is controlled rather than cured. It responds to treatment, but sunlight and hormonal factors can bring it back, so maintenance and protection are part of the plan.
- Is laser safe for pigmentation on Indian skin?
- Laser toning with appropriate settings is used for pigmentation on darker skin, but it must be chosen and performed by a dermatologist after diagnosis, as the wrong laser can worsen pigment.
- Do I need sunscreen indoors?
- Near windows and in cars, yes, UVA passes through glass. Deep indoors with no window exposure, a single morning application is usually sufficient.
Related treatments at Own Skin
This article is general information and does not replace a consultation. Sources and references: shared on request at the clinic.
