Pigmentation & Sun Damage

Depth determines which treatment works. Superficial pigmentation sits in the epidermis. Hormonal melasma frequently sits in the dermis, or both layers simultaneously.

Melanin overproduction presents as sunspots, diffuse melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or generalised UV discolouration. What these share is overactive melanocyte signalling. What they do not share is depth. Treating surface-level pigmentation is straightforward. Dermal or mixed pigmentation requires a different approach entirely.

Tyrosinase-inhibiting serums play a genuine role in a combined programme. Used consistently before clinical treatment, they suppress active melanin production and help establish control over melanocyte activity before any resurfacing or light-based treatment begins.

Shutting down the production side before treating established pigment changes what is achievable clinically. At The London Road Clinic, tyrosinase-inhibiting serums are used as preparation before IPL, resurfacing and other pigmentation treatments, reducing active melanocyte signalling so that clinical treatments work from a more controlled baseline. Serums alone cannot break up accumulated pigment clusters or reach dermal deposits. Within a structured programme that moves from preparation into clinical treatment, they are a meaningful part of what makes the result hold.

OBSERV skin analysis reveals pigment distribution invisible to the naked eye. This single step changes the treatment decision.

OBSERV imaging reveals the depth and distribution of pigment before any treatment is chosen. Lumecca IPL targets melanin selectively in the epidermis, making it highly effective for superficial sunspots and UV damage. Chemical peels and Hydra-Facial accelerate cell turnover for surface accumulation. Deeper or hormonal pigmentation requires a combination protocol. Treating without knowing the depth is the most common reason pigmentation treatment underperforms.