Dr Ophelia assesses skin type, pigmentation pattern, medical history, hormonal history, and any underlying skin conditions. VISIA skin analysis and medical photography provide an objective baseline repeated at every visit.

Minimise sun exposure and pause active skincare ingredients including retinoids and exfoliating acids before your appointment. Patients on Dr Ophelia's prescription pigmentation programme receive specific guidance on the Hyperpigmentation Day Serum, Night Serum, and Eye Night Serum alongside their laser schedule. SPF 50 is essential.

The treatment area is thoroughly cleansed to remove SPF, make up, oil, and surface impurities before anaesthetic is applied.

A high strength topical anaesthetic (23% lidocaine with 7% tetracaine) is applied for up to one hour, significantly stronger than anything available over the counter, making PicoSure PRO highly comfortable for the vast majority of patients.

Certified laser safety goggles are worn for non periorbital treatments. For patients treating dark circles and periorbital pigmentation, intraocular eye shields are placed directly on the eye, allowing safe treatment of the full periorbital zone; unavailable at most clinics.

The laser handpiece is passed over the treatment area using settings selected for your skin type and concern. Treatment time varies depending on the area and indication.

The skin is cooled and calming products applied. Full written aftercare instructions are provided including SPF guidance and advice on Dr Ophelia's prescription serums.

At every visit the treatment plan is reviewed in full, the prescription skincare programme adjusted as needed, and energy parameters recalibrated based on how the skin has responded. This ongoing medical oversight supported by VISIA imaging at every visit is what distinguishes a dermatologist led pigmentation programme from a standalone laser clinic.

Treatment is delivered by a Consultant Dermatologist using clinically appropriate energy protocols, with a high strength topical anaesthetic applied for up to one hour, intraocular eye shields for periorbital treatment, and a full 360 degree medical assessment addressing the underlying cause of pigmentation including hormonal and inflammatory contributors.

Energy level directly affects how much pigment is fragmented per session. Many clinics use conservative low energy settings meaning more sessions are needed to see results. At Dr Ophelia's clinic parameters are adjusted by a Consultant Dermatologist at every visit based on objective VISIA imaging, producing more significant results in fewer sessions.

A pharmaceutical grade 23% lidocaine with 7% tetracaine anaesthetic is applied for up to one hour, significantly stronger than anything over the counter. Most UK laser clinics apply no topical anaesthetic before PicoSure PRO. Proper comfort allows the procedure to be performed thoroughly at appropriate energy levels.

Yes. Intraocular eye shields placed directly on the eye allow the laser to be used safely across the full periorbital zone. This is unavailable at most aesthetic clinics and is essential for treating dark circles and periorbital pigmentation properly.

Yes. HRT and the combined oral contraceptive pill are among the most common hormonal drivers of melasma. Dr Ophelia can advise on hormonal treatments directly and facilitate referral to specialist colleagues in endocrinology, gynaecology, or menopause medicine where needed.

Yes. PicoSure PRO holds FDA approval specifically for melasma, a distinction no other laser holds. Melasma requires careful clinical assessment, precise laser settings, strict sun protection, and in most cases a combination of laser and prescription medical treatment.

Yes. PicoSure PRO's non thermal mechanism makes it among the most suitable laser options for skin of colour. At Dr Ophelia's clinic, parameters are carefully selected, progressively increased with caution, and results monitored objectively at every visit.

Dr Ophelia has formulated three prescription grade serums: a Hyperpigmentation Day Serum, a Hyperpigmentation Night Serum, and a Hyperpigmentation Eye Night Serum, specifically to complement and extend PicoSure PRO results. They are prescribed and dispensed through the clinic, not available over the counter.

Heliocare Fernblock is an oral photoprotection supplement with published evidence for reducing susceptibility to UV induced pigmentation from within. Dr Ophelia prescribes it alongside topical SPF 50 to reduce pigmentation recurrence, particularly in patients with melasma or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation at risk of UV triggered relapse.

Oral tranexamic acid is a prescription medication with an established evidence base for reducing melasma and certain types of hyperpigmentation by interrupting the signalling pathway that drives excess melanin production. It is prescribed and monitored appropriately for patients with moderate to severe melasma or persistent pigmentation.