What you're seeing
Patches that don't fade. Tone that was once even — now isn't.
Dark spots appear where melanocytes — the pigment-producing cells — have overproduced melanin in response to a trigger. The trigger varies: sun exposure, a resolved breakout, a healed injury, or hormonal change. The result looks similar regardless of cause but responds differently to intervention depending on which type it is.
Three types — different triggers
Solar lentigines (age spots / sunspots)
Caused by cumulative UV exposure activating melanocytes in sun-exposed areas. Flat, tan to dark brown, well-defined borders. They develop slowly over years of exposure and tend to persist without intervention. Most common on face, hands, and chest.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Produced when skin generates excess melanin during the healing response to injury, inflammation, or breakouts. The darker the skin tone, the more pronounced the PIH response. PIH is the most responsive to cell turnover interventions — as skin renews, the hyperpigmented cells are replaced.
Melasma
Hormonally driven — triggered or worsened by estrogen fluctuation (pregnancy, contraceptives, perimenopause). Presents as larger, irregular patches typically across the cheeks, upper lip, and forehead. Melasma is the most challenging type to treat because the hormonal trigger may remain active.
What the skin needs
Accelerate renewal so hyperpigmented cells are replaced faster.
Dark spots persist because the cells containing excess melanin are not turning over fast enough. As cell renewal slows with age, hyperpigmented cells remain on the surface longer — the spots appear to deepen even when no new trigger is present.
Oligopeptide complexes (EGF class) support keratinocyte proliferation — the renewal cycle that replaces surface cells. Faster, more consistent turnover means hyperpigmented cells are replaced with new, evenly pigmented cells more quickly. The Luminosity Protocol combines this mechanism with improved surface light-scattering that makes uneven tone less visible while the underlying pigmentation clears.
Common questions
What causes dark spots on the face?+
Dark spots are caused by excess melanin production in localized areas triggered by UV damage, post-inflammatory response, or hormonal change. Each type has a different mechanism and responds differently to treatment.
What is the difference between age spots and hyperpigmentation?+
Age spots are caused by cumulative UV exposure — flat, well-defined, on sun-exposed areas. Hyperpigmentation is the broader category including post-inflammatory (from acne/injury) and melasma (hormonally triggered). Each requires a different approach.
Can dark spots be removed without laser treatment?+
Superficial post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can fade with consistent cell turnover support. Deep or long-standing pigmentation responds more reliably to laser. Oligopeptide compounds support surface renewal, allowing newer evenly-pigmented cells to replace hyperpigmented ones faster.
What ingredients help with dark spots and uneven skin tone?+
Oligopeptide complexes support keratinocyte proliferation — accelerating the renewal cycle that brings fresh, evenly pigmented cells to the surface. Faster turnover means hyperpigmented surface cells are replaced more quickly.
The Luminosity Protocol
Oligopeptide Complex. 6+6 dual-chamber droppers. Supports cell renewal from below — accelerating the turnover cycle that replaces hyperpigmented surface cells with fresh, evenly pigmented ones.