Pigmentation Correction

Targeted treatment for melasma, sunspots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and Hori's naevus using Q-Switch laser, Fraxel, and adjunct topical therapies tailored to skin type.

Pigmentation disorders are among the most common concerns for Asian patients seeking aesthetic treatment, and The Clifford Clinic has developed a multi-modal approach that matches the treatment modality to the specific pigmentation diagnosis — a distinction that is critical because the wrong laser on the wrong pigmentation type can worsen the condition. Melasma, the most common pigmentation concern, requires a nuanced approach due to its hormonal and UV-triggered nature. The clinic uses low-fluence Q-Switch toning in a series of sessions rather than high-energy single treatments, reducing the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation while progressively lightening the pigmented macules. Topical agents are recommended between sessions to maintain the progress. Sunspots (solar lentigines) respond well to higher-energy Q-Switch treatment or the 1927nm thulium wavelength on the Fraxel Dual. These lesions are discrete and well-defined, making targeted laser ablation highly effective and results typically visible within one to two sessions. Hori's naevus, a deeper-seated bilateral acquired melanocytosis common in Asian women, requires the 1064nm Q-Switch wavelength to reach the deeper melanin deposits in the dermis; a longer series of sessions is required, but results are reliable with correct diagnosis. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which often follows acne or procedural inflammation, is addressed with Fraxel 1927nm and gentle Q-Switch settings alongside strict sun protection protocols. The Vbeam pulsed dye laser can also be incorporated where erythema co-exists with pigmentation, treating both simultaneously. The clinic emphasises that accurate diagnosis at the outset is the single most important factor in achieving safe and effective pigmentation correction.