Non-Surgical · Skin
Pigmentation in London
Doctor-led pigmentation correction — IPL, laser, peels and medical-grade topicals. Calibrated to your skin type, layered for stable, lasting results.
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Hello!
Medically reviewed by Dr Hassan SoueidConsultant Cosmetic & Plastic Surgeon
Overview
What is pigmentation treatment?
Pigmentation refers to dark patches, sun spots, melasma or uneven tone — typically caused by sun damage, hormonal changes, post-inflammatory response or genetics. Treatment requires understanding the type of pigmentation, the skin type, and using the right modality at the right depth.
At Kensington Cosmetic Clinic pigmentation is treated by medical practitioners using a layered approach — IPL or pigment-targeting laser for surface pigmentation, peels for diffuse tone, microneedling for post-inflammatory marks, and a comprehensive home-care protocol that does most of the long-term work.
We are deliberate about diagnosis. The same dark patch can be melasma (responds to certain treatments and is worsened by others), post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, sun damage or a benign mole — each needs different treatment. Misdiagnosis is the most common reason patients fail elsewhere.
Pigmentation treatment is a long game. The right diagnosis and the right protocol matter more than the strongest device.
How it works
Inside pigmentation treatment
A diagram of the procedure. Hover any pulsing marker to see how each anatomical layer is treated by Dr Hassan.
Hover or tap any highlighted region
Illustration is anatomical only — the procedure is tailored individually at consultation.
Treated Areas
What pigmentation treatment can address
Diagnosis comes first — different types of pigmentation respond to different treatments. Three broad categories:
Sun Damage
Sun spots / lentigines
Discrete brown spots from accumulated UV exposure. Highly responsive to IPL or Q-switched laser — often clear in 1–3 sessions.
Diffuse photoageing
Generalised uneven tone, redness and texture from cumulative sun exposure. Combination IPL plus peels gives best results.
Actinic keratoses
Pre-cancerous sun-damaged patches — managed medically (cryotherapy, PDT) rather than cosmetically. We refer to dermatology where indicated.
Melasma
Melasma (chloasma, mask of pregnancy)
Hormonally-driven pigmentation, often on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip. Worsened by aggressive treatment — requires specialist protocols. Cosmelan/Dermamelan programmes are usually first-line; lasers are used cautiously and only with sun-protection commitment.
Post-pregnancy pigmentation
Often resolves partially after delivery; residual treatment with topical brighteners and gentle peels.
Hormonal pigmentation
Driven by oral contraceptive, HRT or other hormonal triggers. Treatment paired with discussion of the hormonal cause.
Post-Inflammatory & Other
Post-acne marks (PIH)
Brown or grey marks left after acne pustules heal. Microneedling, mandelic acid peels and topical tyrosinase inhibitors are first-line.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in darker skin
Common in Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin types. Strict sun protection, gentle treatments and tyrosinase-inhibitor topicals are essential — aggressive lasers worsen this.
Hyperpigmented scars
Pigment retained in surgical or trauma scars. Treated alongside scar texture work.
Candidate
Who is pigmentation treatment for?
- Has dark patches, sun spots, melasma or uneven tone
- Has had any suspicious lesions checked by a dermatologist or GP first
- Is committed to consistent daily SPF 50 — non-negotiable for results
- Is in good general health, not pregnant if laser-based treatment
- Has realistic expectations — pigmentation usually returns without sun protection and ongoing maintenance
Benefits at KCC
The KCC Clinic difference
- Detailed pigmentation diagnosis at consultation — Wood's lamp examination where indicated
- Multiple modalities under one roof — IPL, Q-switched laser, peels, microneedling, medical-grade topicals
- Skin-type-specific protocols — particularly important for Fitzpatrick IV–VI
- Layered approach — combination treatments rather than single-modality stand-alone
- Comprehensive home-care protocol included with treatment plan
- Discreet Kensington location with private parking and concierge support
Investment
Pricing on consultation
Every patient is different — the area, technique and number of stages shape the plan. We share full pricing during your private consultation, after Dr Hassan or your treating clinician has reviewed your goals in person.
Before
How to prepare
- Avoid sun exposure for 4 weeks before treatment — laser/IPL on tanned skin risks hyperpigmentation
- Stop retinol and exfoliating actives for 1 week before
- Pre-treatment priming with a tyrosinase inhibitor for 4 weeks if Fitzpatrick III or darker
- Have any suspicious moles or lesions checked first — pigmentation devices should not be used on undiagnosed skin
- Arrive with clean, makeup-free skin
The Treatment
What happens on the day
Diagnosis & treatment selection
Skin examined under standardised light and (where indicated) Wood's lamp. Treatment modality confirmed; sometimes a diagnostic test patch is performed at the first visit.
Treatment
Depending on the modality — IPL handpiece, laser handpiece, peel application or microneedling. Treatment time 15–45 minutes depending on indication.
- IPL — intense pulsed light targeting pigmented cells — slight stinging, immediate darkening of treated spots.
- Q-switched laser — very short pulses that shatter pigment — sharper sensation than IPL, used for stubborn spots.
- Peels — calibrated medical-grade solutions for diffuse tone — see separate peel page for detail.
Step by Step
Your patient journey
Pigmentation treatment is a long game. Diagnosis matters more than device choice; sun protection matters more than either.
01 · Diagnosis
What kind of pigment is it?
Wood's lamp examination where indicated. Sun spots, post-inflammatory marks, melasma and hormonal pigmentation each respond to different treatments. Misdiagnosis is the most common reason patients fail elsewhere.
02 · Preparation
Priming for safety
Avoid sun for four weeks before treatment. Stop retinol one week prior. Tyrosinase-inhibitor priming for four weeks if Fitzpatrick III+. Have any suspicious moles or lesions checked first — pigment devices should not be used on undiagnosed skin.
03 · The Treatment
Modality matched to indication
IPL for sun spots, Q-switched laser for stubborn pigment, peels for diffuse tone, microneedling + topicals for post-inflammatory pigment. Cosmelan / Dermamelan programmes for melasma. Calibrated to skin type — never one-size-fits-all.
04 · Maintenance
Sun protection is the long game
Treated spots darken, then flake off over 7–14 days. Meaningful improvement after 3–4 sessions. Without daily SPF 50, pigmentation returns within 6–12 months. Annual top-up plus consistent home-care for lasting results.
After
Recovery & aftercare
- SPF 50 daily — non-negotiable, every day, even indoors near windows
- No sun exposure for 4 weeks after treatment
- Treated spots typically darken before flaking off over 7–14 days
- Use only the gentle cleanser and recovery cream we provide for the first 7 days
- Continue tyrosinase-inhibitor topicals as part of the home-care protocol
- Allow 4–6 weeks between treatments
Results
When will I see the result?
- Week 1–2 — treated spots darken, then flake off
- After 1 session — meaningful improvement on sun spots
- After 3–4 sessions — significant improvement on diffuse pigmentation
- Maintenance — typically annual top-up plus ongoing daily SPF and home-care
- Without sun protection — pigmentation will return; this is the most important variable
Before & After
Real KCC patient outcomes
A selection of pigmentation cases treated at Kensington Cosmetic Clinic with medical-grade home-care and in-clinic protocols.
Cheek melasma — sixty-day medical lightening protocol.
Forehead pigmentation — Enerpeel JR targeted peel series.
All photographs are real Kensington Cosmetic Clinic patients, taken with written consent. Individual results vary; outcomes depend on indication, skin type and treatment plan.
Questions
Pigmentation in London FAQs
Why does my pigmentation keep coming back?+
Pigmentation recurrence almost always reflects ongoing UV exposure or hormonal triggers. Treatment without daily SPF 50 is wasted spend — even brief exposure during commutes or near windows will reactivate pigment cells. Patients who maintain strict sun protection see lasting results; those who do not see partial relapse within 6–12 months.
Is laser safe for darker skin?+
It depends on the device and the protocol. IPL and aggressive Q-switched lasers carry meaningful risk of pigmentation worsening in Fitzpatrick V–VI skin types — we typically prefer chemical peels (mandelic, salicylic), microneedling and topical regimens for darker skin. Where laser is needed, low-fluence Q-switched protocols are used cautiously. We are explicit at consultation about what we recommend and why.
What about melasma specifically?+
Melasma is a different beast. Aggressive treatment (heavy lasers, deep peels) often worsens melasma rather than helps. Cosmelan or Dermamelan medical-grade programmes are usually first-line — an in-clinic mask plus 4–6 month structured home-care protocol. Strict sun avoidance is critical. We discuss melasma management honestly — it is a long-term condition, not a one-off cure.
How is this different from a 'photofacial' at a beauty salon?+
Salon photofacials use lower-energy IPL devices, often without medical diagnosis of the pigmentation type. The result is sometimes underwhelming, sometimes harmful (e.g. IPL on undiagnosed melasma can worsen it significantly). Medical-grade treatment with proper diagnosis is more effective and safer.
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