Doctor-led pigmentation treatment · Ferrymead, Christchurch
Clearer, brighter, more even-looking skin
You may have melasma, sunspots or dark spots, hormonal pigment or marks after acne. These can look similar. But they need different treatments.
At Satini, your doctor checks your skin first. You then get a plan made for you. Your plan may include Cosmelan, Dermamelan, the Kligman Solution, IPL or a careful combination.
Illustrative treatment results
See what a more even skin tone may look like
Your skin should still look like you. The goal is a clearer and more even tone. Your treatment depends on the type of pigment you have.
Why diagnosis matters
Not every brown mark is the same
Your first step is a diagnosis. We look at the pattern, likely triggers and depth. The wrong treatment can make pigment darker.
Melasma and hormonal pigment
You may see broad patches on both sides of your face. Hormones, UV light, visible light and heat can trigger them. You usually need ongoing control.
Sunspots and sun damage
You may see separate brown spots after years of sun exposure. IPL can work well when your skin and spots are suitable.
Marks after acne or irritation
You may develop dark marks after acne, irritation or injury. You need a gentle plan so we do not create more inflammation.
Your treatment options at Satini
Four ways to treat pigmentation
You may need one treatment or a combination. You will also need daily sunscreen and the right home care.
Cosmelan®
Cosmelan uses a clinic mask and several months of home care. It can help melasma, hormonal pigment, sun damage and uneven skin tone.
Dermamelan®
Dermamelan is a stronger, doctor-prescribed programme. It may suit deeper, stubborn or returning pigment. You use a clinic mask and supervised home care.
Kligman Solution
The Kligman Solution is widely regarded as the Gold Standard prescription topical treatment for melasma. It helps slow pigment and renew your skin. You need doctor reviews, planned breaks and careful sun protection.
IPL for suitable sunspots
IPL uses light to target selected brown spots. It can also reduce redness. At Satini, we mainly use IPL for sunspots, freckles and sun damage—not as a first choice for melasma.
Compare your options
Which treatment may suit you?
This table is a simple guide. Your doctor may change the plan after looking at your skin. This is especially important if your pigment is mixed, keeps returning or is easy to irritate.
| Compare | Cosmelan® | Dermamelan® | Kligman Solution | IPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Often used for | Melasma, hormonal pigment, marks after inflammation, sun damage and widespread uneven tone | Deeper, stubborn or returning pigment | Melasma. It is the Gold Standard prescription topical option when it is suitable for you. | Sunspots, freckles, sun damage and redness in suitable skin |
| How it works | A clinic mask and home care reduce visible pigment and help control new pigment. | A stronger mask and prescription home care target several pigment pathways. | Prescription ingredients slow pigment and support controlled skin renewal. | Light targets selected brown pigment. The spots often darken first, then fade. |
| Your programme | One clinic mask, then several months of home care and reviews. | One doctor-led mask, then intensive supervised home care. | You use it for a set period. Your doctor reviews you and plans any maintenance. | You usually have a course of sessions several weeks apart. Winter is often best. |
| Downtime | You may have redness, tightness, dryness and peeling. This can be stronger after a few days. | You may have redness, irritation and peeling. You may need a few quiet days. | Usually little social downtime. You may have dryness, stinging or irritation. | You may have mild redness or swelling. The spots may look darker before they fade. |
| For melasma | Often suitable | May suit resistant melasma | Gold Standard prescription topical option | Usually not our first choice |
| Maintenance | Use sunscreen, pigment skincare and attend reviews. | Use sunscreen, prescribed home care and attend reviews. | Use only in planned cycles or as your doctor directs. | Use sun protection. You may need skincare or future sessions. |
Your mask time, home care and review schedule are made for you. Do not copy someone else’s plan. Do not restart prescription products without asking your doctor.
The best treatment is not always the strongest.
The best treatment is the one that matches your pigment.
Melasma often needs long-term control. Sunspots may respond better to light. Marks after inflammation need gentle care. Your Satini doctor will choose the least aggressive plan that is likely to help you.
Why choose Satini
A plan made for you
At Satini, we do not just treat the brown mark. We look at why it appeared. We ask about your hormones, sun exposure, medicines, skincare, pregnancy plans and the downtime you can manage.
- Your skin is assessed by a doctor
- We diagnose before IPL or peels
- You can access prescription options when suitable
- We plan for sensitive and pigment-prone skin
- You get clear home-care advice
- You get a long-term maintenance plan
Good to know
Pigmentation can come back
Pigment can return. Sun, hormones, heat, inflammation, medicines, age and genetics can trigger it again.
This does not mean your treatment failed. It means your maintenance plan matters. You may need high-protection sunscreen, pigment-control skincare, prescription cycles or IPL for returning sunspots.
Your treatment journey
What you can expect at Satini
Your doctor consultation
We look at your skin and talk about your triggers and medical history. We then tell you which options are safe for you.
Prepare your skin
You may need to prepare your skin first. This can improve comfort and lower the risk of irritation or rebound pigment.
Your treatment and home care
You receive clear clinic and home-care instructions. Your home care is a key part of your result.
Your review and maintenance
We check your progress. We may change your products or suggest maintenance treatment.
Safety and recovery
You may have redness, tightness, dryness, peeling or temporary darkening. Irritation and post-inflammatory pigment can also occur. Your risk is higher if your skin is over-treated or you do not follow the plan.
Call us promptly if you have severe pain, blisters, marked swelling, crusting, infection or a reaction that is getting worse. A changing or unusual brown spot needs medical assessment before cosmetic treatment.
Sun protection is part of your treatment. Use broad-spectrum SPF 50+ every day. Seek shade and avoid tanning. You can explore Satini’s doctor-selected sunscreen range.
More help from Satini
Helpful pigmentation resources
You can learn more about your pigment, your treatment options and the skincare that helps protect your results.
Understand melasma
See why melasma is different from single sunspots. Learn why you may need long-term control.
Dark spots and sun damage
Learn what can cause separate brown spots and which treatments may help you.
Pigmentation skincare
Find medical-grade skincare for uneven tone and pigment that keeps returning.
Daily sun protection
Protect your results with high-protection sunscreen every day.
Before-and-after gallery
See consented treatment results from Satini Cosmetic Clinic.
Prices and payment options
Check current treatment prices before you book your consultation.
Your questions answered
Anti-pigmentation FAQs
What causes facial pigmentation?
Sun, visible light, hormones, genetics, inflammation, acne, medicines and ageing can all play a part. The pattern matters. Melasma is different from freckles, sunspots and marks after acne. We diagnose the pigment before we treat you.
Do I have melasma or sunspots?
Melasma often looks like broad patches on both sides of your face. It can affect your cheeks, forehead, upper lip or jawline. Sunspots are usually smaller and more separate. Your Satini doctor will check your skin before recommending treatment.
Which treatment is best for me?
There is no single best treatment for everyone. Cosmelan or Dermamelan may suit widespread or returning pigment. The Kligman Solution may suit melasma. IPL is usually used for separate sunspots, freckles and sun damage.
Is the Kligman Solution the Gold Standard for melasma?
Yes. The Kligman Solution is widely regarded as the Gold Standard prescription topical treatment for melasma. It is not right for everyone. You need a doctor to prescribe it, monitor your skin and plan treatment breaks.
What is the difference between Cosmelan and Dermamelan?
Both use a clinic mask and home care. Cosmelan is an intensive pigmentation programme. Dermamelan is stronger and doctor-prescribed. It may suit deeper or more resistant pigment. Your mask time and home care are made for you.
Is IPL suitable for melasma?
Usually not as a first choice at Satini. Heat and light can trigger melasma. IPL is more often used for separate sunspots, freckles and sun damage. Your doctor will first check that your skin is suitable.
How much downtime will I have?
Cosmelan and Dermamelan can cause redness, tightness, dryness and peeling. This may be stronger several days after the mask. The Kligman Solution can cause dryness or irritation. IPL often has less downtime, but spots may darken before they fade.
How soon will I see results?
You may notice brighter skin within a few weeks. Pigmentation treatment takes time. Your skin keeps improving as it renews and you follow your home-care plan. IPL results build over a course of sessions.
Can pigmentation come back?
Yes. Melasma, sun damage and marks after inflammation can return. Daily sunscreen, pigment-control skincare and review appointments help you protect your result.
Can I combine treatments?
Sometimes. You may start with a mask programme and then use prescription maintenance, skincare or IPL for remaining sunspots. We stage your treatments to reduce irritation and rebound pigment.
Can I have treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Some ingredients are not safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive. We will help you choose a safer plan.
What if a brown spot is changing?
A changing, irregular, bleeding, itchy or unusual spot needs medical assessment. Do not cover it with IPL, peels or pigment creams before it has been checked.
Who plans my treatment at Satini?
A cosmetic doctor plans your treatment. We look at your pigment, skin type, medical history, medicines, past treatments and the downtime you can manage. You then receive a plan made for you.
Satini Cosmetic Clinic · Ferrymead
Let’s make a clear-skin plan for you
Meet with a cosmetic doctor to find out what type of pigment you have. You can compare Cosmelan, Dermamelan, the Kligman Solution and IPL. You will get honest advice and a plan made for your skin.
Medical information: This page gives general information. It does not replace your own medical assessment. Your result, recovery and risks depend on your skin, treatment and home care.
Treatment information was reviewed against Satini’s current Cosmelan, Dermamelan, IPL and prescription pigment treatment pages. The Gold Standard wording refers to doctor-prescribed Kligman-type combination therapy, which clinical reviews describe as a leading topical treatment for melasma. Your doctor’s instructions always take priority.