Pigmentation and melasma
Patches of darker skin from sun, hormones or previous inflammation.
What you may notice
Pigmentation and melasma
More common in richer skin tones, and in pregnancy
Pigmentation has several causes and they respond to different things. Melasma is hormonally driven, worsens with heat and light as well as UV, and is managed rather than cured — it recurs without daily photoprotection. Post-inflammatory pigmentation fades on its own but faster with treatment. Distinguishing them before treating matters, because aggressive treatment of melasma can make it worse.
Treatments
Treatments
What each treatment involves, how many sessions it takes, and what the downtime actually is.
Dermatology consultation
A full skin assessment with a consultant dermatologist, and a written plan.
- Appointment
- 30–45 minutes
- Visits
- One, with review as needed
- From
- from £195
Mole check and skin surveillance
A systematic examination of the whole skin with dermoscopy and mapping.
- Appointment
- 30–45 minutes
- Visits
- One, then annually or as advised
- From
- from £245
Skin surgery and biopsy
Removal of lesions under local anaesthetic, with histology on everything taken.
- Appointment
- 30–60 minutes
- Visits
- One, plus a wound check and suture removal
- From
- from £450
Medical management
Prescription treatment for acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and hair loss, with review.
- Appointment
- 20–30 minutes per review
- Visits
- Reviews at 6–12 weeks, then as required
- From
- from £145 per review
Patch testing
Identifying the substance causing a contact dermatitis, which is how it is treated.
- Appointment
- 45 minutes to apply; two further readings
- Visits
- Three visits over one week
- From
- from £550
Phototherapy
Controlled narrowband UVB, given in a cabinet two or three times a week.
- Appointment
- 5–15 minutes per session
- Visits
- 2–3 per week for 8–12 weeks
- From
- from £45 per session
Vascular laser
Treatment for facial redness, thread veins and the visible vessels of rosacea.
- Appointment
- 20–30 minutes
- Visits
- 3–5, four to six weeks apart
- From
- from £280 per session
Laser resurfacing
Fractional laser for texture, scarring and sun damage, with real downtime.
- Appointment
- 45–60 minutes
- Visits
- 1–3, spaced 6–8 weeks apart
- From
- from £650 per session
Medical chemical peel
A controlled exfoliation for pigmentation, texture and congestion.
- Appointment
- 30 minutes
- Visits
- A course of 3–6 for superficial peels
- From
- from £180 per session
Injectable treatments
Muscle-relaxing and volumising injections, given by a doctor after assessment.
- Appointment
- 30 minutes
- Visits
- One, with a review at two weeks; repeated at 3–6 months
- From
- from £280
Appointments
Book a consultation
Every treatment starts with an assessment by a dermatologist. Bring photographs of anything that comes and goes — it will not be there on the day.