‘I Can’t Believe It’s Come Back’: Molly-Mae Just Got Candid About Pigmentation

In an age of widely used Paris filters and FaceTune, it's refreshing to see an unfiltered take on skin and skincare grace our screens. Molly-Mae Hague took to Instagram this week to document her pigmentation journey in real time.

Molly-Mae flew to Palma three days ago and revealed that the sudden exposure to that Mallorcan sun had caused her pigmentation to return. 'I actually can't believe I've woken up this morning to my pigmentation having come back,' she wrote. 'It took me A WHOLE YEAR to get rid of it last time. I didn't get my arms out because I was so self conscious...I actually can't believe it's come back. No idea what could've caused it.'

As Molly-Mae detailed, the term for this specific kind of pigmentation is tinea versicolour, or pityriasis versicolour (quite the mouthful). Pigmentation comes in many different forms. The most common is melasma - brown, grey or ashen spots or freckles that often crop up during pregnancy, with prolonged UV exposure or even as a result of using some medications.

Molly-Mae's type of pigmentation, though? A whole different kettle of fish. We spoke to the experts who gave their take:

What is tinea versicolour?

According to the NHS, tinea versicolour is a common fungal skin infection. A GP can can prescribe treatment for it, but it can come back (as Molly-Mae highlighted). On white skin, the patches of pigmentation are often pink, red or pale brown, and don't tan in the sun. On olive, brown or black skin, the patches are pale.

How can I treat tinea versicolour?

The NHS also tell us that the treatments a GP is likely to provide are largely anti-fungal. Go-to treatments include anti-fungal shampoos that you use on the impacted area, and rinse off after a few minutes, or an anti-fungal cream. If larger areas are impacted, antibiotics may be prescribed.

Is there anything I can do at home to reduce its appearance?

Yes, wear a high SPF, says Laura Fairclough, skin specialist with Laura Andrew Skin & PMU with Fragrance Direct. 'SPF should be worn on every day of the year,' says Fairclough. 'Half a teaspoon of SPF should be applied to the face and neck, plus half a teaspoon to each body part exposed to the sun.'

'For full body coverage, the equivalent of a full shot glass - at least - should be applied. Don't forget to apply to your eyelids, eyes and around your ears.'

What about if there is SPF in my foundation?

You still need a separate one, says Fairclough. 'Your foundation doesn't offer enough coverage to provide you with an adequate amount of SPF. The amount of protection needed would mean you would have to apply a thick, thick mask of foundation - and even then, that probably wouldn't be enough.'

In short? There is no such thing as a healthy tan. If you think you might have tinea versicolour, speak to your GP or consult a dermatologist. Apply an SPF to exposed areas of skin year-round. SPF formulas are so advanced now, you'll forget you're even wearing it. You can shop Grazia's edit of favourites, below.

Main image and insert image credit: Instagram @mollymae

Shop: Some Of The Best Face SPFs