Pigmentation and Sun Damage Treatment in Marylebone, London
Pigmentation and sun damage treatment in Marylebone, London softens sun spots, melasma and post-inflammatory marks with a course of chemical peels, microneedling or mesotherapy chosen for your skin. Daily SPF comes first, because no treatment holds without it.
Overview
Understanding pigmentation & sun damage
Pigmentation is the uneven darkening of patches of skin caused by an excess of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. The most common forms are sun spots (solar lentigines) on the face, hands and chest, melasma, which appears as symmetrical brown patches across the cheeks, forehead and upper lip, and post-inflammatory marks left behind after acne, a rash or an injury.
Sunlight is the biggest driver. Ultraviolet light tells pigment cells to produce more melanin, which is why sun spots gather on the areas that have seen most sun over the years and why melasma flares in summer. Hormones matter too: melasma is more common in pregnancy and in people using hormonal contraception, and it can be stubborn because the trigger keeps returning.
Helena starts every pigmentation plan with protection, since daily broad-spectrum SPF is the one step that makes every other treatment worthwhile. From there she chooses between chemical peels, microneedling and mesotherapy depending on the type of pigmentation and your skin. Any mole or mark that is changing, bleeding or irregular should be checked by a GP before any cosmetic treatment. Results vary between individuals.
Why it happens
What causes pigmentation & sun damage?
- Cumulative ultraviolet exposure over many years, which drives sun spots
- Hormonal changes in pregnancy, or from hormonal contraception or HRT, which can trigger melasma
- Inflammation from acne, eczema, insect bites or injury, leaving darker marks as the skin heals
- Heat and visible light, which can worsen melasma even with sun protection
- Picking or scratching at spots, which prolongs inflammation
- Naturally darker skin tones, which produce pigment more readily after irritation
Treatment approach
How does Helena treat pigmentation and sun damage in Marylebone?
Chemical Peels
From £250A peel lifts away the pigmented outer layers of skin and speeds cell turnover, so darker patches fade as fresh skin comes through. Helena selects the peel strength for your skin type and the kind of pigmentation. Available as a one-off or a short course, from £250.
See treatment detail →Microneedling
From £275Controlled micro-channels stimulate the skin's repair response and help brightening ingredients reach where they work. Suited to post-inflammatory marks and uneven tone, and often alternated with peels. Usually 4 to 6 sessions, 4 weeks apart, from £275.
See treatment detail →Mesotherapy
From £300Micro-injections of vitamins, antioxidants and brightening ingredients directly into the skin to support even tone and hydration. Helena often uses it for melasma-prone skin where stronger peels could aggravate the pigment. Typically 4 to 6 sessions, 2 weeks apart, from £300.
See treatment detail →FAQ
Common
questions
Which treatment is best for pigmentation?
It depends on the type. Sun spots and post-inflammatory marks usually respond well to chemical peels and microneedling. Melasma needs a gentler approach because heat and irritation can make it worse, so Helena often leans on mesotherapy and mild peels. She will examine your skin at consultation and explain which route suits you and why.
Why does Helena insist on SPF first?
Because ultraviolet light is what tells your skin to make more pigment. Without daily broad-spectrum protection, any patch you treat is likely to darken again within weeks and you will have spent money on treatment that cannot hold. A high-factor SPF every morning, reapplied when outdoors, is the single most effective part of any pigmentation plan.
How many sessions will I need?
Sun spots often improve noticeably after one or two peels. Post-inflammatory marks and melasma take longer, and Helena usually plans a course of 4 to 6 sessions spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart depending on the treatment. Pigment fades gradually as skin turns over, so give it at least 3 months before judging the result.
Can pigmentation come back after treatment?
Yes, particularly melasma, which is driven by hormones and light and tends to return when the trigger does. Sun spots are less likely to reappear in the same place if you protect the skin. Helena treats pigmentation as something you manage over time, with maintenance sessions and consistent SPF rather than a single fix.
Should I get a mark checked before treating it?
If a mole or mark has changed in size, shape or colour, has an irregular edge, itches or bleeds, see your GP before booking any cosmetic treatment. Helena will not treat a lesion she is unsure about and will refer you on. Flat, even-toned sun spots and marks left by old spots are usually straightforward to assess.
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Novaderma Aesthetics • 1 Orchard Street, UNTIL Marylebone, London W1H 6HJ
BookAppointments typically available within 1–2 weeks