From the The RAKUS Clinic, Knightsbridge
Summer often makes pigmentation that was previously subtle much more noticeable. Freckles can darken, old sun spots may become more defined and patches of melasma that were relatively quiet through winter can reappear.
At RAKUS Clinic in Knightsbridge, we see this frequently as patients move into autumn. Increased UV exposure stimulates melanin production, which can make existing pigmentation more visible even in those who have been diligent with SPF.
However, not all pigmentation behaves in the same way. Sun spots are usually linked to cumulative UV exposure, while melasma is more complex and can be influenced by sunlight, hormones and other factors. Uneven skin tone may involve a combination of pigmentation, redness and wider changes in skin quality. This distinction matters because the treatment we would choose for a few defined sun spots may be very different from the approach we take for recurrent melasma or more widespread photodamage.
In this guide, we look at the different types of post-summer pigmentation, the treatments we use at RAKUS Clinic and how we decide which approach, or combination of treatments, is most appropriate for your skin.
What Is the Difference Between Sun Spots, Melasma and Uneven Skin Tone?
The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but clinically they can describe quite different concerns.
Sun spots, sometimes called age spots or solar lentigines, tend to appear as defined areas of brown pigmentation on parts of the skin that have experienced repeated UV exposure. The face, décolletage and hands are particularly common areas.
Melasma tends to appear in broader patches and is often influenced by a combination of UV exposure, visible light and hormonal factors. It can also be persistent and prone to recurrence.
Uneven skin tone is a much broader description. There may be freckles, diffuse pigmentation, redness, dullness and changes in texture all contributing to a complexion that no longer looks as clear or uniform as it once did.
In practice, many patients have more than one of these concerns at the same time. Someone may have distinct sun spots across the cheeks, for example, alongside diffuse redness and early textural changes caused by cumulative sun exposure.
That distinction helps us decide whether to concentrate primarily on pigment or whether the skin would benefit from a broader rejuvenation approach.
How Do We Know Which Pigmentation Treatment Is Right for You?
Pigmentation is an area where a good assessment makes a considerable difference.
At RAKUS Clinic, VISIA Skin Analysis can be used to provide a more detailed assessment of the complexion. The imaging system evaluates features including pigmentation and sun damage, helping us identify concerns that may not be as obvious from looking at the skin in normal lighting.
It can also provide a useful baseline for monitoring changes over time.
Technology does not replace clinical assessment, however. We also need to consider the type and distribution of pigmentation, skin type, sensitivity, previous treatments, lifestyle and whether the pigmentation has a tendency to return.
Once we understand that picture, we can decide whether a targeted light or laser treatment is appropriate and how intensive the treatment needs to be.
Is IPL Good for Sun Spots and Uneven Skin Tone?
For visible sun damage and superficial pigmentation, IPL can be an excellent option.
At RAKUS Clinic, we use Syneron’s Aurora and Polaris platforms with ELOS® technology, which combines intense pulsed light with radiofrequency energy. Rather than relying on light energy alone, the system uses the two energies together to address pigmentation while also supporting broader skin rejuvenation.
IPL is particularly useful when pigmentation is scattered across a larger area rather than confined to one isolated mark. It can be considered for concerns including:
- Sun spots and freckles
- Uneven pigmentation
- Photodamage
- Redness and visible vascular changes
- A complexion affected by both uneven colour and texture
This last point is important. Post-summer skin does not always present with brown pigmentation alone. Some patients have a mixture of brown spots, background redness and changes in overall skin quality.
In those cases, treating the complexion rather than concentrating on a single spot can produce a more balanced result.
The ELOS® system used at RAKUS Clinic also incorporates controlled cooling and uses radiofrequency alongside optical energy, allowing treatment to be tailored according to the patient’s skin.
Can ADVATx Treat Melasma and Pigmentation?
When pigmentation is more complex, or when redness and vascular changes are contributing to uneven tone, ADVATx Laser gives us another option.
ADVATx is a dual-wavelength medical laser using 589 nm and 1319 nm wavelengths. The wavelengths work at different depths and allow us to address several components of skin quality within the same treatment.
For pigmentation-focused patients, ADVA Bright is particularly relevant. It combines yellow and infrared laser energy to target unwanted pigment and sun damage while also addressing vascular dyschromia, which refers to changes in colour associated with blood vessels. This matters because what patients describe as “uneven skin tone” is not always purely pigmentation. There may be a combination of brown pigment, redness and underlying vascular changes.
ADVATx can therefore be useful when we want to improve the overall clarity of the complexion rather than chasing individual brown spots. It is also one of the technologies we can consider for melasma.
Melasma requires a particularly considered approach because it has a tendency to recur and can be influenced by factors beyond the pigment that is currently visible. Simply removing what can be seen today does not necessarily mean it will not return.
At RAKUS Clinic, we therefore look at the pattern and severity of melasma before deciding how aggressively it should be treated. ADVATx can be used across Fitzpatrick skin types I to V, and treatment involves little to no downtime, which can also make it appropriate for patients who cannot accommodate a significant recovery period.
When Would We Choose UltraClear for Pigmentation?
Sometimes pigmentation is only one part of the problem. After years of cumulative sun exposure, a patient may have brown spots alongside fine lines, rougher texture, enlarged pores or more established signs of photodamage. In this situation, concentrating exclusively on pigment may not give the overall improvement they are looking for.
UltraClear® allows us to take a broader resurfacing and rejuvenation approach. UltraClear uses 3DMIRACL® cold fibre laser technology and can be tailored to different levels of treatment. It is designed to address pigmentation, age spots, uneven texture, wrinkles and other signs of skin ageing while stimulating skin renewal and collagen remodelling.
This customisation is useful in practice. A patient with relatively mild uneven tone who wants a complexion refresh does not necessarily require the same treatment intensity as someone with more established pigmentation and textural sun damage. UltraClear can be adjusted according to the condition of the skin and the degree of correction required.
For milder concerns, we may choose a lighter approach. Where photodamage is more established, a deeper level of rejuvenation may be more appropriate. The aim is not to use the most intensive treatment available. It is to use the level of treatment that makes sense for the skin in front of us.
Can Pigmentation Come Back After Laser Treatment?
Pigmentation can return over time, but there is a great deal you can do to help maintain clearer, more even-looking skin after treatment.
The most important step is consistent daily sun protection. UV exposure can stimulate melanin production again, so a broad-spectrum SPF should become part of your everyday routine, not simply something you use during summer or immediately after treatment. Limiting prolonged sun exposure and following the skincare recommended by your practitioner can also help protect your results.
With melasma, we tend to think in terms of long-term management rather than a one-off correction. Because melasma can be influenced by several triggers, occasional maintenance treatments may be recommended if pigmentation begins to become more noticeable again.
Regular skin reviews can be useful too. Rather than waiting for pigmentation to become established, we can reassess the skin, identify early changes and decide whether skincare, maintenance treatment or another course of treatment would be most appropriate.
The aim is not only to improve the pigmentation you can see today, but to have a sensible plan for keeping the complexion clearer and more even over time.
FAQs About Pigmentation Treatment
Do I need to wait until my tan has completely faded before treating pigmentation?
This depends on the treatment being considered, your skin type and the degree of recent sun exposure. A practitioner should assess the skin before proceeding rather than relying on a fixed waiting period.
Can you treat pigmentation on the hands and décolletage as well as the face?
Yes. Sun spots commonly develop on areas that have received repeated UV exposure, including the hands, chest and décolletage. The most appropriate technology and settings will depend on the area and the condition of the skin.
How many pigmentation treatments will I need?
There is no standard number that applies to everyone. A relatively small amount of superficial sun damage may require a different programme from widespread photodamage or recurrent melasma. We assess progress as the skin responds rather than assuming every patient requires the same course.
Should I treat pigmentation before a special event?
It is better not to leave treatment until immediately before an important occasion. Depending on the technology and treatment intensity, the skin may need time to settle and pigmentation can temporarily change in appearance as it responds. Planning ahead gives us much more flexibility.
Can I prevent new sun spots after treatment?
You cannot prevent every future pigment change, but careful sun protection can reduce further UV-driven pigmentation and help maintain treatment results. This is particularly important for areas such as the face, hands and décolletage that receive regular incidental exposure.
Treating Pigmentation in Knightsbridge, London
Post-summer pigmentation can look deceptively simple. Two patients may both come into the clinic asking us to remove “brown spots”, yet one has superficial sun damage while the other has melasma, vascular changes and a more complex pattern of uneven skin tone.
The treatment plan should reflect that difference.
At RAKUS Clinic in Knightsbridge, London, we can assess pigmentation in detail and decide whether IPL, ADVATx, UltraClear or a carefully planned combination is most appropriate for your skin. Where useful, VISIA Skin Analysis can provide further information about pigmentation and sun damage and give us a baseline from which to monitor progress.
If pigmentation, sun spots, melasma or uneven skin tone have become more noticeable after summer, you can book a consultation at our Knightsbridge clinic to find out what is causing the discolouration and which approach is most appropriate for your skin.