Laser pigmentation removal in London

How laser pigmentation treatment works

Laser pigmentation treatment breaks up excess melanin, the pigment behind sun spots, age spots, freckles and marks left after spots or inflammation. The body then clears the fragments over the following weeks. At our Islington clinic we use Q-switched laser and Lynton IPL, and we match the device to the type of pigment rather than using one approach for everything.

A Q-switched laser delivers a single wavelength in extremely short, high-energy pulses. The pigment absorbs that energy so quickly that it shatters into tiny particles, while the surrounding skin is largely spared. Those particles are then removed by the body's natural clearing processes. IPL works more broadly, using a filtered range of light that is absorbed by pigment and by small surface vessels. Q-switched laser is usually the more precise choice for distinct, well-defined spots; IPL suits more widespread freckling and mottled sun damage, especially where there is also fine redness. Our comparison of IPL vs BBL explains the difference between the light devices.

Why the type of pigmentation matters

Pigmentation is a description, not a diagnosis. Two brown marks that look similar can have very different causes, sit at different depths and respond in opposite ways to the same treatment. Some pigment lies near the surface and clears readily; some sits deeper or is driven by an ongoing process, such as hormones or inflammation, that keeps producing it. This is why we do not offer pigmentation removal without first assessing the skin, and why we sometimes recommend skincare rather than laser as the first step.

Which pigmentation responds to laser

• Sun spots and age spots: usually respond well, often in 2 to 4 sessions.
• Freckles: respond well, though new ones appear with sun exposure.
• Marks after spots or inflammation: respond to gentle settings, sometimes alongside skincare.
• Melasma: needs particular care. Laser and heat can make it worse, so treatment is cautious and often led by skincare and strict sun protection.

Sun spots and age spots

Also called solar lentigines, these flat brown marks appear on areas that have seen the most sun: the cheeks, forehead, backs of the hands, chest and shoulders. They are one of the most rewarding concerns to treat, because the pigment is well defined and does not have an ongoing driver once the sun is controlled.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

These are the brown or darker marks left behind after acne, a rash, an insect bite or minor injury. They often fade on their own over months, and the right skincare can speed that up. Where laser helps, we use gentle settings, because the skin that produced this pigment has already shown it reacts to inflammation.

Melasma

Melasma usually appears as symmetrical patches across the cheeks, forehead or upper lip. It is linked to hormones, sunlight and visible light, and it behaves differently from sun spots. We cover it in more detail on our melasma page, and we explain below why we are cautious.

Who laser pigmentation removal suits, and who it does not

Laser pigmentation treatment tends to suit adults with lighter to medium skin types who have well-defined sun spots, age spots or freckling, and who are prepared to protect their skin from the sun afterwards. Darker skin types can sometimes be treated, but device choice and settings need great care, because darker skin is more prone to pigment change after heat.

We do not treat during pregnancy, on tanned skin, or with some light-sensitising medicines. We never treat a mole or a mark that is raised, irregular, changing, bleeding or new; we ask you to see your GP or a dermatologist first. Laser should never be used on a mark that has not been properly assessed.

Your consultation and patch test

Treatment begins with a skin consultation (£65, redeemable in full against treatment). We examine your pigmentation in good light, ask about when it appeared, what makes it better or worse, your medicines, any hormonal factors, your sun habits and your skincare. That history is often what separates sun damage from melasma or post-inflammatory marks.

If laser or IPL is appropriate, we carry out a free patch test on a small area so we can see how your skin responds before treating more widely. We then give you a written plan with the device we recommend, the likely number of sessions and the total cost.

What a session involves

Your skin is cleansed and your eyes are protected. With Q-switched laser, each pulse feels like a quick snap, often compared to a small elastic band against the skin, and treated spots usually turn slightly grey or darker straight away. With IPL, a cool gel is applied and each pulse feels like a warm flash. Small areas take only a few minutes; a full face takes longer. Most people manage comfortably without numbing. Our guide on does IPL hurt covers comfort in more detail.

Does laser remove pigmentation permanently?

Treated spots usually clear for good, but new pigment can form with sun exposure, hormones or ageing. Daily SPF 50 is the most important part of keeping the result. Melasma is managed rather than cured.

In practice this means thinking of laser as clearing the existing damage and sunscreen as preventing the next layer of it. People who protect their skin well usually keep their result for a long time; those who return to regular unprotected sun exposure often see new spots form.

Is it worth it?

For well-defined sun spots and age spots, laser is one of the most effective treatments available. For melasma, the honest answer is that results are less predictable, and we will explain the options before you spend anything. Where we are not the right clinic for your case, we will refer you.

Recovery and aftercare

Treated spots darken over a day or two, then flake away within about a week. If your session used IPL, our IPL aftercare guide gives the detail. Avoid sun exposure, exfoliants and active skincare for seven days, and use SPF 50 daily. We do not treat during pregnancy, on tanned skin, or with some light-sensitising medicines.

• Let darkened spots flake naturally; picking them increases the risk of marking.
• Use a gentle cleanser and a plain moisturiser.
• Pause retinoids and exfoliating acids until we advise you to restart.
• Make-up can usually be worn once the skin is calm.
• Contact us if you notice blistering, crusting or anything unexpected.

Risks and how we reduce them

The common effects are temporary redness, mild swelling and darkening of the treated spots. Less commonly, the skin can blister, or develop temporary lighter or darker patches. Rebound pigmentation is the main risk in melasma and in darker skin types, and scarring is rare. We reduce these risks with careful assessment, patch testing, conservative starting settings, spacing sessions to let the skin settle, and refusing to treat tanned skin.

Laser compared with other pigmentation treatments

Laser is not the only route to a more even skin tone, and it is not always the first one. Clinical skincare with pigment-regulating ingredients, often from the NeoStrata range, can steadily lighten diffuse pigmentation and helps prevent new pigment forming. A course of gentle peels can improve post-inflammatory marks and overall clarity. For a dull, uneven complexion without distinct spots, a facial-based approach may be enough. Where laser earns its place is with clearly defined sun spots and age spots, which skincare alone tends to fade only slowly. In many plans the two work together: skincare prepares and protects the skin, and laser clears the marks that remain. For wider skin quality concerns, see our laser rejuvenation page.

Pigmentation removal cost

Laser pigmentation removal is from £80 per session, with the price depending on the size and number of areas treated. An IPL photofacial for wider sun damage across the face is £180 per session. The skin consultation is £65 and is redeemed in full against treatment, and the patch test is free. We confirm your total cost in writing before you begin.

Why have it with us

Dr Vishal Patel is Lynton Lasers trained and has ten years of experience in facial aesthetics. Read more about pigmentation and melasma. We have been caring for patients in Islington since 2009 and are rated 4.7 stars from more than 300 Google reviews.

The clinic is at 222 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 3AP, two minutes from Essex Road station and a short ride from Angel, Highbury, Canonbury, Hackney and Stoke Newington. Buses 38, 56, 73, 341 and 476 stop on Essex Road. Many patients cycle or use a Lime or Forest e-bike. We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm, by appointment.

Clinically reviewed by Dr Vishal Patel · BDS · MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry · GDC 103127. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.

For the full picture, including how this compares with the alternatives, see our guide to IPL photofacial.

Further reading

• Spider Veins: Causes, Symptoms and Safe Treatment Options to Remove Them
• How to Choose the Right Hyperpigmentation Treatment for Different Skin Types