Pigmentation & Tattoo removal

Pigmentation & Tattoo Removal in Melbourne (Ivanhoe + Diamond Creek)

Doctor-led diagnosis + medical-grade Q-switched laser + long-term skin stabilisation

For sun spots, freckles, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and unwanted tattoo ink—with a medical-first approach designed for pigment-prone skin.

Pigmentation and tattoos may appear as simple surface marks, but their successful removal requires an understanding of cause, depth (epidermal vs. dermal), and inflammatory triggers. The wrong approach—especially aggressive laser use—can lead to worsening pigmentation (PIH) or immediate relapse. As a clinic focused on both skin cancer medicine and aesthetics, every treatment begins with an accurate medical diagnosis to ensure your pigmentation is benign and suitable for laser before we begin. (1–4)

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Pigmentation & Tattoo removal

What we treat

Pigmentation

Solar lentigines (Sun spots / age spots) (5,6)
Freckles (Ephelides)
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) (2,7)
Selected birthmarks / dermal pigment patterns (case dependent)

Tattoo Ink

Professional and amateur tattoos
Black and darker inks (typically the most responsive) (8)
Selected coloured inks (variable response depending on pigment chemistry) (8)

Important note on Melasma: Some conditions—especially melasma—require extremely cautious management. In many cases, laser is not the first-line treatment because it can trigger a “rebound” effect. We prioritise stabilization over speed to protect your results. (1,3,4)

Pigmentation & Tattoo removal

Specialised Care for Melanin-Rich Skin

Patients with olive, brown, or deep skin tones require a different level of precision. Because the risk of Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) is significantly higher in these skin types, we manage these cases through our dedicated Skin of Colour Clinic. Here, the focus is on “pre-shading” the skin with medical topicals to ensure the laser treatment is safe and effective without causing secondary darkening.

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Pigmentation & Tattoo removal

Specialised Care for Melanin-Rich Skin

Step 1: Medical assessment and pigment typing

Before any laser treatment, we perform a clinical assessment to determine:

Diagnosis: Is this benign pigmentation or a lesion requiring a different medical path?
Depth: Is the pigment epidermal, dermal, or mixed?
Risk Profile: What is your “PIH risk”? This is critical for patients with melanin-rich skin or a history of scarring. (2,7)
Drivers: Are UV exposure, hormones (melasma), or medications driving the pigment? (2–4)

Step 2: Medical-grade Q-switched Nd:YAG laser

The Q-switched (nanosecond) laser delivers high-energy pulses designed to fragment pigment or ink into microscopic particles, allowing your body’s immune system to clear them naturally. (6,8)

Why we use Q-Switched (Nanosecond) vs. Picosecond Lasers: While “Pico” lasers are often marketed for speed, the Q-switched nanosecond technology remains a gold standard for safety in high-risk pigmentation.

Controlled Thermal Profile: Q-switched lasers provide a predictable thermal interaction with the skin. In many cases of complex pigmentation, the ultra-fast delivery of picosecond lasers can create significant photo-acoustic shockwaves that may inadvertently trigger inflammation and PIH in sensitive or pigment-prone skin.
Stability: We prioritise the stability of the surrounding tissue. By using specific “low-fluence” Q-switched protocols, we can effectively clear pigment while keeping the skin “quiet” and avoiding the aggressive inflammatory response that leads to relapse. (8)

Step 3: Stabilization and “Result Insurance”

Laser is only one part of the solution. To prevent the pigment from returning, we focus on stabilizing the melanocytes (pigment-producing cells). (2–4,7)

Prescription Therapy: When appropriate, we use medical-grade topicals to suppress excess pigment production and reduce inflammation.
Evidence-Based Actives: We build a regimen around Vitamin B3 (Nicotinamide) for modulation, Azelaic Acid for anti-inflammatory support, and Barrier Repair to stop the “reaction spirals” that lead to new spots. (9,10)
Dermal Therapist Integration: Consistent, gentle care with a therapist ensures your skin remains stable between and after laser sessions.

Pigmentation & Tattoo removal

Tattoo removal (Realistic expectations)

Tattoo removal is a medical journey. Most tattoos require multiple sessions to allow for immune clearance of fragmented ink. While we aim for complete removal, we also specialize in “fading” tattoos to a level where high-quality cover-up art is possible. (8)

Typical Timeline: 5–10+ sessions are normal for professional ink.
Spacing: Intervals are intentional; your body needs time to clear the ink safely.

Ink Type: Darker inks generally respond more predictably than bright blues or greens.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can pigmentation be treated without laser?

Yes. In fact, for PIH-tendency or melasma, we often start with medical topicals and strict UV protection. Laser is used only once the skin is “quiet” and stable. (3,4)

Can laser make pigmentation worse?

If used inappropriately on “unstable” skin or melasma, laser can trigger inflammation that causes the pigment to rebound darker. This is why a medical diagnosis and choosing the right laser technology (Q-switch vs. Pico) is critical. (3,4,7)

How many sessions will I need?

Sun spots: Often 1–4 sessions. (5,6)

Freckles: 2–4 sessions (high recurrence risk without UV protection).
Tattoos: 5–10+ sessions. (8)

Yes. In fact, for PIH-tendency or melasma, we often start with medical topicals and strict UV protection. Laser is used only once the skin is “quiet” and stable. (3,4)

Sun spots: Often 1–4 sessions. (5,6)

Freckles: 2–4 sessions (high recurrence risk without UV protection).
Tattoos: 5–10+ sessions. (8)

Pigmentation & Tattoo removal

References

1.Passeron T, et al. Melasma. RACGP. 2021.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34193188/

2.Davis EC, Callender VD. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a review of the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment options in skin of color. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20725554/

3.Arora P, et al. Lasers for treatment of melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Lasers Med Sci. 2012.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21894451/

4.Grimes PE. Melasma: etiologic and therapeutic considerations. Arch Dermatol. 1995.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7866872/

5.Mardani G, et al. Treatment of solar lentigines: a systematic review of available therapies. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39411985/

6.Kim JS, et al. Objective evaluation of the effect of Q-switched Nd:YAG laser on solar lentigines. Ann Dermatol. 2015.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26082583/

7.Kang DH, et al. Postoperative risk assessment of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after 532-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG treatment for solar lentigines. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38318823/

8.Ross EV, et al. Comparison of responses of tattoos to picosecond and nanosecond Q-switched lasers. Arch Dermatol. 1998.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9500305/

9.Chaowattanapanit S, et al. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a comprehensive overview. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28711077/

10.Auffret N, et al. Acne-induced post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: treatment approaches including azelaic acid evidence. Acta Derm Venereol. 2025.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35133454/