Pigmentation Pathways

PIGMENTATION PATHWAYS & MELANIN BEHAVIOUR

(Hormonal, inflammatory, environmental & genetic colour patterns — and why pigmentation feels impossible for many clients)

WHY PIGMENTATION IS SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND

Clients think pigmentation is caused by:

sun exposure
age
tanning
heat
hormones

This is only a fraction of the truth.

Pigmentation is NOT one problem — it is five overlapping systems:

Genetic melanin behaviour
Inflammation-driven pigment pathways
Hormone-triggered melanocyte activation
Vascular–pigment interaction
Environmental and heat-based triggers

This is why pigmentation:

returns quickly
behaves differently across the face
is worse in some lighting
darkens before or during periods
comes back after holidays
appears suddenly under stress
worsens during pregnancy
worsens during menopause
flares with inflammation or acne
is harder to treat in medium–deep skin tones

Pigmentation is a biological survival system, not just a cosmetic issue.

WHY THIS PAGE MATTERS FOR CLIENTS

Every client with pigmentation has felt one of the following:

“I can never get rid of it.”

“It keeps coming back.”

“It moves around my face.”

“It gets darker before it gets lighter.”

“It’s worse on hot days.”

“It’s worse when stressed.”

“It looks different in different lighting.”

“It’s worse with my hormones.”

“Skincare doesn’t fix it.”

This page explains why — and finally gives clients clarity.

Aeternitas is not correcting colour —

it is correcting melanin signalling pathways.

THE FOUR CORE TYPES OF FACIAL PIGMENTATION

Clients often have more than one simultaneously.

Inflammatory Pigment (PIH)

Triggered by acne, damage, picking, inflammation or irritation.

More common in medium–deep skin tones.

Hormonal Pigment (Melasma / Hormonal HPA Axis Activation)

Triggered by hormones, stress, pregnancy, perimenopause, contraception or HRT.

Sun-Induced Pigment (UV/Melanin Shielding Response)

Triggered by UV, heat, oxidative stress and free radicals.

Vascular-Influenced Pigment (Red–Brown Interaction)

Occurs when inflammation and blood vessels intensify colour.

Each of these pathways has its own biology and requires a different treatment strategy.

HOW PIGMENT CELLS (MELANOCYTES) BEHAVE

Melanocytes are highly intelligent cells.

They determine:

colour
tone
evenness
clarity
depth of pigmentation
reactivity to heat and stress

They respond to signals from:

hormones
inflammation
UV light
heat
stress chemicals
immune cells
vascular cytokines
metabolic activity

This is why pigmentation is unpredictable —

melanocytes respond to EVERYTHING.

HOW AGEING AFFECTS PIGMENTATION

With age:

melanocytes become more reactive
melanin distribution becomes uneven
pigment sits deeper
melanocyte numbers decrease but overreact more
inflammation becomes chronic
hormones destabilise
oxygen and circulation weaken
cell turnover slows

This is why older skin shows:

mottling
blotchiness
uneven patches
dull brown tone
flat grey discolouration
larger pigment clusters

Ageing pigment is not the same as young pigment —

and it behaves differently under treatment.

HOW ETHNICITY AFFECTS PIGMENTATION

FITZPATRICK I–III (LIGHTER SKIN)

prone to sun-induced pigment
more freckling
more uneven colour
post-inflammatory redness leads to brown pigment
more visible vascular–pigment interaction

FITZPATRICK IV–VI (MEDIUM–DEEP SKIN)

higher PIH risk
pigment darkens fast with inflammation
more melasma risk
more reactive melanocytes
slower fading of pigment
deeper pigment distribution
heat-induced pigment flares

Your Science Hub will explain EXACTLY how to treat each safely.

THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT FOR CLIENTS

Pigmentation is not random.

It is predictable when you understand:

the trigger (hormone, heat, stress, UV, inflammation)
the pathway (hormonal, inflammatory, vascular)
the skin type (genetic melanin behaviour)
the environment (climate, heat, stress, lifestyle)
the hormonal status (menstruation, menopause, HRT)

Aeternitas is one of the few clinics explaining this in full scientific clarity.

DEEP BIOLOGY OF PIGMENTATION

Melanin pathways, inflammation triggers, hormonal activation, vascular–pigment interaction, heat-based responses and genetic behaviour

HOW MELANIN IS PRODUCED — THE FULL PATHWAY

Your pigmentation begins inside the melanocyte, a highly intelligent cell located at the base of the epidermis.

THE MELANIN PRODUCTION SYSTEM

Every melanocyte contains:

melanosomes (pigment factories)
tyrosinase (the enzyme that begins pigment formation)
MITF (the master gene controlling pigment)
dendrites (branches that deliver pigment to surrounding skin cells)

Melanin formation steps:

UV, heat, hormones or inflammation send a “danger” signal
MITF activates
Tyrosinase switches on
Melanin begins forming inside the melanosome
The melanocyte exports melanin into surrounding skin cells
Pigment becomes visible on the surface

This is why treating pigmentation is extremely difficult:

you are dealing with a factory system, not a “spot of colour.”

THE 3 TYPES OF MELANIN — WHY YOUR COLOUR BEHAVES DIFFERENTLY

Humans produce two key pigments:

EUMELANIN (brown)

protective
absorbs UV
stable
common in medium–deep skin

PHEOMELANIN (yellow/red)

less protective
oxidises easily
more reactive in lighter skin
linked to inflammation + redness

MIXED MELANIN

most common in facial pigmentation
leads to brown-red or brown-grey patterns
influenced by genetics, hormones and inflammation

Aeternitas technology targets different melanin types during treatment — making the results more stable.

THE FIVE MAIN PIGMENT PATHWAYS (ALL CLIENTS FALL INTO THESE)

UV / HEAT-Triggered Pigment Pathway

Driven by:

UV light
infrared heat
sunlight
strong studio lighting
hot weather
hot yoga / saunas

Biology:

heat and UV activate melanocyte factories
tyrosinase rises
melanin production increases
pigment becomes deeper and darker

Why it’s hard to control:

melanocytes “remember” past heat exposure
each heat event can darken existing patches

Inflammation Pathway (PIH)

Triggered by:

acne
picking
irritation
eczema
friction
sensitivity
barrier breakdown
harsh skincare

Biology:

inflammation sends a danger signal
immune cells activate melanocytes
pigment forms as a “shield”
darker in medium–deep skin

PIH is the most common pigmentation in the UK and the most misunderstood.

Hormonal Pathway (Melasma / HPA Axis Activation)

Triggered by:

pregnancy
contraception
progesterone
oestrogen fluctuations
perimenopause
HRT
stress hormones (cortisol surge)

Biology:

hormones directly activate the MITF gene
melanocytes become hypersensitive
pigment becomes symmetrical (classic melasma pattern)
worsens with heat AND light

This is the hardest pigment type to control — but Aeternitas approaches it scientifically.

Metabolic / Stress Pathway

Triggered by:

high cortisol
inflammation
poor sleep
stress-driven immune activation

Biology:

stress increases inflammatory messengers
these messengers activate melanocytes
pigment darkens under emotional pressure

Clients often say:

“My pigmentation gets worse when I’m stressed.”

This is biologically correct.

Vascular–Pigment Interaction Pathway (Red–Brown Mix)

Triggered by:

chronic redness
inflammation
microvascular fragility
hormonal flushing
rosacea-type behaviour

Biology:

redness increases heat
heat activates melanocytes
inflammation deepens pigment
vascular activity makes pigment look darker

This is why:

lighter skin sees red–brown patches
deeper skin sees brown–purple patches

ETHNICITY AND PIGMENT BIOLOGY

FITZPATRICK I–III

more pheomelanin
more freckling
more UV damage
more vascular–pigment interaction
slower deep pigment formation
faster superficial pigment formation

FITZPATRICK IV–VI

more eumelanin
deeper melanin reservoirs
higher PIH risk
more reactive melanocytes
darker pigment response to inflammation
melasma more intense
heat worsens pigment dramatically

The treatment approach MUST change depending on the skin type.

AGEING AND PIGMENT BEHAVIOUR

With age:

melanocyte numbers decrease
the remaining melanocytes overreact
pigment becomes patchy
clusters appear
sun damage becomes brown-grey
oxidative stress darkens pigment
skin funnels colour deeper into the dermis
cell turnover slows → pigment stays longer

This is why pigmentation becomes harder to treat after 35.

HORMONES AND PIGMENT BIOLOGY

OESTROGEN

increases melanocyte sensitivity
worsens melasma
enhances pigment response to heat

PROGESTERONE

darkens pigmentation
increases melasma risk
flares pigment during luteal phase

ANDROGENS

increase inflammation
increase oil activity
trigger PIH from acne

CORTISOL (STRESS HORMONE)

directly activates melanocytes
worsens all forms of pigment
increases inflammation
slows healing → pigment stays longer

This is why pigmentation often worsens during:

perimenopause
pregnancy
stress
PCOS
PMS
menopause
medical treatments

HEAT & THE MELANIN–THERMAL RESPONSE

Heat is one of the biggest causes of pigment worsening.

Heat triggers:

tyrosinase activation
deeper melanin production
increased inflammation
vasodilation → increased melanin transfer
faster melasma reactivation
pigment relapse after treatment

Common heat triggers:

cooking steam
sun exposure
hot showers
heaters
saunas
hair dryers
exercise
LED misuse in heat-sensitive skins

Understanding heat response is ESSENTIAL to controlling melasma and PIH.

WHY PIGMENTATION LOOKS DARKER IN SOME LIGHTING

This confuses clients more than anything.

Looks darker under:

bathroom lighting
warm/yellow light
car mirrors
gym lighting
late-day sunlight

Looks lighter under:

cool white light
midday sunlight
photography lighting
filtered daylight

Why?

Because melanin absorbs and reflects light differently depending on:

wavelength
angle
depth
vascular background
inflammation level

This is NORMAL behaviour — not worsening pigment.

WHY PIGMENTATION MOVES

Pigment doesn’t actually “move.”

But melanocytes can activate in adjacent locations when:

hormones fluctuate
inflammation spreads
heat triggers a wider response
vascular activity increases
melanin distribution becomes uneven

Clients are NOT imagining this — pigment patterns often “expand” under biological pressure.

HOW ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY CORRECTS PIGMENTATION AT THE PATHWAY LEVEL

Heat, Hormonal, Inflammatory, Vascular & Deep Melanin Pathway Correction

Pigmentation is not a colour problem.

It is a signalling problem.

Aeternitas devices change the signals that melanocytes receive —

which means pigmentation fades faster, stays lighter longer, and returns less intensely.

Below is the full scientific breakdown for each treatment.

EXFU 11D HIFU

Deep Metabolic & Heat-Pathway Regulation

HIFU does not directly lighten pigment — instead, it regulates the underlying biological systems that drive pigment formation.

HOW HIFU REDUCES FUTURE PIGMENT

improves oxygen delivery → reduces melanocyte stress
strengthens dermal architecture → reduces vascular–pigment interaction
increases collagen → reduces heat retention in tissue
improves circulation → reduces grey/brown stagnation
reduces chronic inflammation

WHY THIS MATTERS

Pigment forms aggressively when tissue is inflamed, weak or oxygen-poor.

HIFU strengthens the “environment” around the melanocyte, making pigment less likely to form or relapse.

BEST FOR

dull brown-grey pigment
melasma-prone skin needing long-term support
pigment worsened by sagging or poor circulation
clients with stress-driven pigment relapse

EXFU 980+ RF MICRONEEDLING

Inflammation-Pathway Correction • Melanin Distribution Reset

RF Microneedling is one of the strongest technologies for pigmentation because it changes the inflammatory and pigment signalling environment.

HOW RF CORRECTS PIGMENT

downregulates inflammatory genes → reduces PIH
reduces IL-6, IL-8 and TNF → less pigment stimulation
increases cell turnover → lifts surface pigment
breaks up uneven melanin clusters
remodels deeper melanin reservoirs
normalises melanocyte behaviour
improves dermal architecture → pigment diffusion becomes more even

WHY THIS MATTERS

PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) is the most common pigment type in the UK.

RF Microneedling is the gold-standard for long-term PIH reversal.

BEST FOR

PIH from acne
pigment from irritation
darker skin tones
hormonal pigment overlapping with inflammation
pigment that keeps returning

SECRET RF

Safe Pigment Correction for Sensitive, Thin or Hormone-Triggered Skin

Secret RF delivers RF deeper and more safely for reactive skin types.

HOW SECRET RF TARGETS PIGMENT

remodels dermis for more even melanin distribution
strengthens fragile under-eye pigment-prone areas
reduces vascular overheating → less pigment response
stabilises inflammation in sensitive zones
improves superficial and mid-depth pigment

WHY THIS MATTERS

Hormonal pigment often appears in thin, delicate regions (upper cheeks, temples, under-eyes).

Secret RF treats these areas without triggering excessive heat.

BEST FOR

melasma
thin or fragile skin
hormonal pigment flare-ups
under-eye pigment blending
clients prone to redness + pigment combinations

DERMALUX LED

Hormone & Inflammation Pathway Control — Pigment Stability System

LED is a critical tool for controlling melasma and hormone-driven pigment.

HOW LED AFFECTS PIGMENT PATHWAYS

reduces MITF activation (pigment master gene)
lowers tyrosinase activity (pigment enzyme)
reduces inflammation → prevents PIH
cools thermal responses → prevents melasma flare
improves healing → pigment fades faster
reduces vascular heat that darkens pigment
stabilises hormone-triggered melanocyte reactivity

WHY THIS MATTERS

Pigment ALWAYS flares when inflammation is high.

LED keeps pigment pathways quiet and stable.

BEST FOR

melasma
hormonal pigment
heat-triggered pigment
sensitive and reactive skin
medium–deep skin tones

CRYO COLD HAMMER

Heat-Pathway & Vascular–Pigment Stabilisation

Cryo is essential for pigment-prone clients because it controls HEAT — the #1 pigment trigger.

HOW CRYO PREVENTS PIGMENT DARKENING

reduces heat in pigment-prone zones
prevents melasma reactivation
reduces inflammation that triggers PIH
calms vascular flushing
reduces redness → lowers pigment visibility
stabilises melanocyte sensitivity

WHY THIS MATTERS

Every melasma and PIH client in the world struggles with heat sensitivity.

Cryo is the non-negotiable safety buffer in any pigment-correction protocol.

BEST FOR

melasma
post-treatment cooling for pigment-prone clients
vascular + pigment combination skins
hormonal flushing + colour darkening

EXFU 980+ VASCULAR & PIGMENT CORRECTION

Direct Pigment & Vascular Pathway Correction — The Aeternitas Pigmentation Anchor Device

This device is essential for all pigmentation treatments.

HOW 980+ CORRECTS PIGMENT

targets vascular-driven pigment (red–brown interaction)
collapses overactive vessels that darken pigment
reduces heat in pigment patches
decreases MITF activation via vascular calming
improves oxygenation → pigment becomes lighter
reduces inflammatory cytokines feeding pigment
clears broken vessels under pigment
enhances melasma stability

WHY THIS MATTERS

Pigmentation darkens when vessels are overactive.

980+ corrects BOTH the vessel and the pigment trigger.

BEST FOR

red–brown pigment patches
melasma + redness
hormonal redness darkening pigment
PIH with vascular overlap
sun-induced pigment
stubborn pigment clustering

THE AETERNITAS PIGMENTATION CORRECTION MODEL

5-Step System for Long-Term Stability

Reduce heat (Cryo, LED)
Reduce inflammation (LED, RF)
Correct vascular triggers (980+)
Remodel deeper pigment (RF, Secret RF)
Strengthen tissue + circulation (HIFU, RF)

This model corrects the cause, not just the colour.

WHY AETERNITAS RESULTS LAST LONGER THAN CONVENTIONAL LASERS

Conventional pigment lasers:

target ONLY the colour
do NOT fix the pathways
often cause rebound hyperpigmentation
can worsen PIH in medium–deep skin
do not address hormones
do not address heat
do not address vascular triggers
do not fix inflammation
do not stabilise melanocytes

Aeternitias approach:

✔ fixes inflammation pathways

✔ repairs vascular triggers

✔ calms heat pathways

✔ stabilises hormonal pigment behaviour

✔ improves oxygen and circulation

✔ restructures dermis

✔ normalises melanocyte signalling

✔ prevents pigment returning

This is why Aeternitas is superior in long-term pigment correction.

CLIENT LEARNING — “Why Pigmentation Feels Impossible, Why It Comes Back, and Why It CAN Be Controlled

For most clients, pigmentation feels like a stain or a mark.

But pigment is a behaviour, not a stain.

Melanocytes behave differently depending on:

hormones
heat
inflammation
stress
circulation
oxygen
genetics
vascular activity
UV exposure
metabolic changes

This is why pigment reacts quickly to your life — long before it becomes visible.

PIGMENTATION IS NOT JUST “COLOUR” — IT IS BEHAVIOUR

For most clients, pigmentation feels like a stain or a mark.

But pigment is a behaviour, not a stain.

Melanocytes behave differently depending on:

hormones
heat
inflammation
stress
circulation
oxygen
genetics
vascular activity
UV exposure
metabolic changes

This is why pigment reacts quickly to your life — long before it becomes visible.

PIGMENTATION RETURNS BECAUSE THE “SIGNAL” RETURNS

Most treatments only target:

the surface colour
the visible spot
the top melanin layer

But pigmentation comes back because:

the melanocyte receives the same trigger again.

Triggers can be:

stress
heat
hormones
UV
inflammation
vascular activity
friction
illness
sleep deprivation
medication

Unless the triggering pathway is corrected, pigment WILL return — even if it is fully removed from the surface.

Aeternitas corrects the triggers, not just the colour.

WHY PIGMENTATION GETS WORSE WITH HORMONES

Clients often say:

“My pigment gets darker before my period.”

“It flared when I started HRT.”

“It worsened during pregnancy.”

“It gets darker when I’m stressed.”

Hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone, cortisol, insulin and androgens all activate melanocytes.

This is why melasma and hormonal pigment:

darken
spread
deepen
become more symmetrical
become more resistant
return unless stabilised

Aeternitas strategies stabilise melanocyte activity — which is why results last.

WHY PIGMENTATION GETS WORSE WITH HEAT

Heat is one of the most powerful pigment triggers.

Clients don’t realise how many daily activities create heat:

cooking
hair dryers
saunas
hot yoga
hot showers
exercise
heaters
warm bedrooms
sun through the window
intense LED exposure (if misused elsewhere)

Heat activates the pigment enzyme tyrosinase, causing pigment to darken — even without sun.

This is why some clients feel:

“I didn’t go in the sun. How did I get darker?”

Because heat alone can do it.

Cryo + LED + vascular therapy is essential for heat-sensitive clients.

WHY PIGMENT LOOKS DIFFERENT IN EVERY LIGHTING

Clients think this means pigment is “spreading” or “getting worse.”

In reality:

warm yellow light makes pigment look darker
cool white light makes pigment look lighter
sunlight reveals the true depth
bathroom lighting intensifies brown-grey
car lighting emphasises red–brown

This is normal behaviour.

Melanin reflects light differently depending on:

depth
oxygenation
vascular activity
heat
skin hydration

Understanding this helps clients feel more in control.

WHY PIGMENT “MOVES” — THE TRUTH

Pigmentation does not physically move.

What happens is:

your melanocytes activate in adjacent areas
inflammation spreads
heat spreads
hormonal pigment expands
melasma creates symmetrical patterns
vascular heat causes deeper activation
melanin distribution becomes uneven with age

Clients are not imagining it —

pigment patterns do evolve based on biology.

WHY PIGMENT IS WORSE IN MEDIUM–DEEP SKIN TONES

Medium–deep skin tones naturally have:

stronger melanocytes
deeper reservoirs of melanin
faster pigment response
higher PIH risk
slower pigment turnover
stronger inflammation–pigment connection

This is why pigment looks:

darker
deeper
more stubborn
more reactive

But also why results can be much better when pathways are corrected.

WHY PIGMENT IS WORSE AFTER PICKING OR IRRITATION

If a client picks a spot, or skin becomes inflamed:

The immune system immediately activates melanocytes.

This is why:

acne leaves marks
irritation leaves brown spots
scratches leave discolouration
friction creates dark patches

This is not scarring —

it is inflammation telling melanocytes to protect the area.

RF + LED is the most effective combination for PIH.

WHY SKINCARE ALONE CANNOT FIX PIGMENTATION

Skincare can help with:

surface brightness
exfoliation
antioxidant protection
temporary evenness

But skincare cannot:

stop hormonal activation
stop vascular triggers
control inflammation
regulate heat pathways
stabilise melanocytes
correct deep melanin reservoirs
repair pigment genes
influence melasma

This is why pigmentation returns quickly with skincare alone — but stabilises with technology.

WHY AETERNITAS TREATMENTS WORK — THE FIRST TIME CLIENTS SEE HOPE

Clients finally feel relief when they understand:

Aeternitas treats the pathways, not the colour.

Aeternitas corrects:

inflammation → RF + LED
vascular triggers → 980+
heat reactivity → Cryo
hormonal behaviour → LED, Secret RF
deep melanin → RF
tissue environment → HIFU

This is why clients say:

“For the first time, my pigment is stable.”

“This is the best my face has looked in years.”

“I didn’t know pigment could be controlled.”

“My skin tone finally looks even.”

This chapter gives clients confidence that you truly understand their condition beyond any other clinic.