Clear pigmentation. Permanently. Without rebound.

Pigmentation is the result of melanin — the pigment that gives skin its colour — being produced unevenly or in excess. The most common triggers are UV exposure, hormonal changes (pregnancy, contraception, HRT), inflammation from acne or injury, and genetics. Different causes produce different patterns: melasma forms symmetrical patches on the cheeks and forehead, sun damage appears as scattered spots, and post-acne marks appear where lesions healed.

Hyperpigmentation is the umbrella term for any area of skin that becomes darker than the surrounding tone. Melasma is a specific type — typically symmetrical, hormonal in origin, and sits deeper in the skin which is why creams alone rarely clear it. Sun damage (also called solar lentigines or age spots) is asymmetric, caused by UV exposure, and sits more superficially — meaning it usually responds faster to laser. Our diagnostic identifies which type you have and calibrates the protocol accordingly.

Two reasons. First, the wrong treatment can trigger 'rebound pigmentation' — where inflammation from the procedure itself causes new melanin production, especially in darker skin types. Second, the underlying trigger (UV exposure, hormones) is still present. Our protocol uses pulsed-mode technology specifically chosen to avoid the inflammatory response, and we send you home with the maintenance regime needed to keep the trigger from re-firing.

Yes — but only with the right energy settings and the right laser. Many clinics use settings designed for lighter skin, which causes rebound pigmentation in Fitzpatrick IV–VI. We calibrate energy per skin type as a matter of protocol, and use technologies (VirtueRF, pulsed-mode picosecond) specifically chosen for safety across the full Fitzpatrick range.

The laser delivers very short pulses of light energy that are selectively absorbed by melanin clusters. The pigment fragments into particles small enough for your body's lymphatic system to clear over the following weeks. Surrounding skin tissue isn't affected because it doesn't absorb the same wavelength. This is why proper laser treatment doesn't 'bleach' your skin — it only targets the pigment itself.

It's the combination protocol we've found to be the most effective for stubborn or deep pigmentation. Step 1: VirtueRF creates precision microchannels through the epidermis without damaging surrounding tissue. Step 2: Pulsed-mode laser fragments the pigment at the depth where it actually lives. Step 3: Exosome therapy and a custom mesotherapy cocktail (vitamins, antioxidants, pigment inhibitors) are infused through the channels, accelerating clearance and preventing recurrence.

Older lasers deliver energy in longer pulses that heat the surrounding tissue, which triggers inflammation — and inflammation is the single biggest cause of post-treatment rebound pigmentation. Pulsed-mode (picosecond) lasers deliver energy in trillionths of a second — fast enough to fragment pigment without raising tissue temperature. This is the difference between treatment that holds and treatment that rebounds.

PicoSure (picosecond pulsed) is our preferred choice for stubborn melasma and darker skin types because of its low thermal impact. Q-switched (nanosecond) is effective for sun damage and isolated spots on lighter skin. IPL is broad-spectrum and works well for surface-level spots but is generally not recommended for melasma or darker skin types because of the rebound risk. Your consultation determines which is appropriate.

When performed by a doctor with correctly calibrated equipment, laser pigmentation removal is very safe. The main risks are temporary redness (1–3 days), temporary darkening of the treated area before clearance (a normal phase, not a complication), and — when the wrong protocol is used — rebound pigmentation. Our protocol is specifically designed to avoid the rebound risk through skin-type calibration and pulsed-mode technology.

For most patients, no significant downtime. You may have mild redness or a slight feeling of sun-warmth for 12–24 hours after a session. Most return to work the same day or next day. You should avoid direct sun and wear SPF 50+ for the week following. We provide aftercare guidance in writing at every session.

Yes — and this is normal, not a warning sign. Around weeks 2–4 after a session, the fragmented pigment is rising through the skin's layers to be shed. During this window the treated area can briefly look slightly darker. By weeks 5–6 you see meaningful clearance. We pre-empt this in your aftercare so you're not surprised by it.

Most patients see meaningful change after 3 sessions and reach their goal in 4–6 sessions, spaced 3 weeks apart. Severity of pigmentation, depth, and adherence to SPF protocol all affect the count. Your consultation gives you a realistic estimate for your specific case — we don't believe in over-promising session counts to win the booking.

With proper SPF protocol and maintenance, results typically hold for years. Melasma — being hormonally driven — can recur during pregnancy or HRT, but maintenance peels usually manage this. Sun damage and post-acne pigmentation, once cleared, typically don't recur unless re-triggered. We build a maintenance plan with you at session 4–6.

Most patients see initial lightening 2–3 weeks after the first session, with more dramatic change after the second. Patience matters: the body is clearing fragmented pigment through the lymphatic system, which takes weeks. The biggest results show between weeks 8–12 of the full protocol.

Pigmentation treatments start from £299 for a single Clarity Peel. The Signature 3-Step Pigmentation Protocol starts from £399 per session, with most full plans landing between £1,200 and £2,400 depending on severity and session count. Your consultation includes a transparent breakdown — no hidden fees, no surprise upsells.

Yes. We offer split-payment plans for the full protocol cost (3, 6, or 12-month options) and accept Klarna for individual sessions. Both are interest-free for qualifying plans. We can include this in your consultation breakdown.

No — the initial skin consultation is free. It includes a dermatological skin analysis, a personalised treatment plan, and a transparent pricing breakdown. There's no pressure to book treatment on the day.

Our Glasgow clinic typically has availability within 1–2 weeks for new consultations. For international clients (we see a lot of Edinburgh, London, and overseas patients), we offer a video consultation first, and most can complete the protocol over 3–4 visits across 12 weeks. Hotel recommendations available on request.