Pigmentation, Sun Damage & Melasma Treatment in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Pigmentation Treatment in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire & Stamford

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Pigmentation is one of the most common skin concerns we see at SKinfluence Peterborough. From sun spots and age spots to post-acne pigmentation, uneven skin tone and persistent melasma, successful pigmentation treatment starts with understanding what is causing the excess pigment in the first place.

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At our advanced skin and laser clinic in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, we take a skin-first approach to pigmentation. Rather than treating every brown mark in the same way, we assess the type, depth and likely cause of pigmentation before recommending treatment.

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This is particularly important because sun damage, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and melasma can look similar but behave very differently — and a treatment that works brilliantly for one may be unsuitable for another.

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Using advanced digital skin analysis, evidence-based treatment protocols, medical-grade skincare and technologies including Sciton BBL® HEROic™ and MOXI™, we create personalised pigmentation treatment plans for clients from Peterborough, Stamford and across Cambridgeshire and the surrounding areas.

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Our aim isn’t simply to remove visible brown spots. It’s to improve skin health, reduce the factors driving excess pigment and achieve clearer, brighter and more even-toned skin safely.

 

What Is Pigmentation?

Pigmentation refers to the colour of our skin, which is largely determined by a pigment called melanin.

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Melanin is produced by specialised cells called melanocytes. When melanocytes are stimulated, they produce more melanin as part of the skin’s natural protective response.

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Sometimes this process becomes overactive or uneven, causing excess melanin to accumulate and appear as brown patches, dark marks or an uneven skin tone.

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Hyperpigmentation can be triggered by:

• UV and sun exposure

• Visible light

• Hormonal changes

• Pregnancy

• Genetics

• Inflammation

• Acne

• Skin injury or trauma

• Heat

• Certain medications

• Irritation or over-treatment of the skin

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This is why pigmentation treatment isn’t simply about destroying pigment. Understanding why the melanocyte is producing excess pigment is just as important as treating the pigment you can already see.

 

Types of Pigmentation We Treat at SKinfluence Peterborough

Sun Damage, Sun Spots & Age Spots

Sun spots, also known as solar lentigines or age spots, develop following cumulative UV exposure.

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They commonly appear as:

• Flat brown spots or patches

• Freckles that become darker or more numerous

• Uneven pigmentation

• Mottled skin tone

• Pigmentation across the face, décolletage, shoulders and hands

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Sun-induced pigmentation is generally one of the most responsive types of pigmentation to professional treatment.

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For suitable skin types, BBL HEROic pigmentation treatment can specifically target excess pigment while simultaneously improving the overall appearance and quality of photodamaged skin.

 

Melasma

Melasma is very different from a simple sun spot.

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It is a chronic, relapsing pigmentary condition that usually presents as symmetrical brown or grey-brown patches, most commonly across the:

• Cheeks

• Forehead

• Upper lip

• Nose

• Jawline

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Melasma can be influenced by several factors including:

• Hormonal changes

• Pregnancy

• Contraceptive medication

• Genetics

• UV radiation

• Visible light

• Heat

• Inflammation

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Can laser make melasma worse?

Potentially, yes.

This is one of the reasons accurate assessment is so important. Aggressive heat, inflammation or inappropriate laser/light treatment can stimulate melanocytes and potentially worsen melasma.

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At SKinfluence, we therefore don’t treat melasma in the same way as straightforward sun damage.

Management may involve a combination of pigment-regulating skincare, appropriate sun and visible-light protection, barrier support and carefully selected professional treatments.

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For suitable patients, treatments such as MOXI™ fractional laser may form part of a wider melasma management plan following consultation.

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The aim with melasma is long-term control rather than promising a permanent cure.

 

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH, develops when inflammation or injury stimulates excess melanin production.

It commonly follows:

• Acne and breakouts

• Picking or squeezing spots

• Eczema

• Skin irritation

• Burns

• Skin trauma

• Inappropriate or overly aggressive treatments

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The inflammation may resolve, but the excess pigment can remain for weeks or months afterwards.

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This is why someone with acne can eventually become more bothered by the dark marks left behind by spots than the spots themselves.

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Treating PIH effectively means addressing both the existing pigmentation and the inflammation that caused it.

 

Pigmentation Treatment for Asian, Brown & Darker Skin Tones

Treating pigmentation in melanin-rich skin requires particular care.

Darker skin tones contain more active melanocytes and can therefore be more susceptible to developing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation following inflammation, acne, injury or inappropriate treatment.

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At SKinfluence Peterborough, treatment selection is based on individual skin characteristics, pigmentation type and clinical assessment rather than ethnicity alone.

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Fitzpatrick skin type can help guide treatment, but it doesn’t tell us everything about how an individual’s skin will respond.

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For clients with darker skin tones, our priority is to improve pigmentation without unnecessarily triggering further inflammation and pigment production.

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Depending on the individual, treatment may therefore focus on:

• Reducing inflammation

• Supporting the skin barrier

• Regulating melanin production

• Medical-grade skincare

• Carefully selected chemical peels

• Microneedling

• Appropriate laser treatments where clinically suitable

• Broad-spectrum UV protection

• Visible-light protection where appropriate

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This is particularly important when managing post-acne pigmentation and melasma in Asian and darker skin tones.

 

Freckles

Freckles are small pigmented spots influenced by both genetics and sun exposure.

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They are completely normal and don’t require treatment.

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However, some people notice their freckles becoming darker, more numerous or merging into areas of uneven pigmentation following cumulative sun exposure.

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Where treatment is desired, the aim is to reduce unwanted excess pigmentation while maintaining a natural-looking complexion.

 

Why Is My Pigmentation Getting Worse Even Though I Wear SPF?

This is something we hear frequently during pigmentation consultations.

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Daily sunscreen is extremely important — but pigmentation isn’t driven by UV exposure alone.

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Pigmentation may continue to worsen because of:

• Insufficient sunscreen application

• Failure to reapply sunscreen

• UVA exposure

• Visible light

• Heat

• Hormonal fluctuations

• Ongoing acne or inflammation

• Skin barrier disruption

• Over-exfoliation

• Irritating skincare

• Continued melanocyte activity

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Certain forms of pigmentation, particularly melasma and PIH, are therefore unlikely to be successfully managed by simply trying to remove the existing pigment.

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A successful pigmentation plan also considers what is continuing to tell the skin to produce more melanin.

 

How We Assess Pigmentation at Our Peterborough Skin Clinic

Every pigmentation journey at SKinfluence begins with a comprehensive skin consultation.

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Before recommending BBL, MOXI, a chemical peel or any other treatment, we first need to understand what we’re treating.

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Our PRO-A Skin Analyser allows us to assess characteristics including:

• Surface pigmentation

• Underlying UV damage

• Brown spots

• Redness and inflammation

• Skin health

• Barrier condition

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Digital skin analysis can also reveal areas of underlying sun damage that aren’t yet as apparent to the naked eye.

Combined with a detailed consultation, this allows us to build a personalised treatment plan based on your skin type, pigmentation type, lifestyle, existing skincare and treatment goals.

 

Why Identifying the Type of Pigmentation Matters

Not all brown pigmentation is the same.

A defined solar lentigo caused by cumulative sun exposure behaves very differently from hormonally influenced melasma.

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Likewise, pigmentation remaining after inflammatory acne requires a different approach again.

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A treatment capable of producing an excellent result for sun damage could potentially aggravate another pigmentary condition if used inappropriately.

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This is why we don’t offer a one-size-fits-all “pigmentation facial” at SKinfluence.

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Diagnosis and treatment selection come first.

 

Pigmentation Treatments at SKinfluence Peterborough

Depending on the type and cause of pigmentation identified during consultation, your treatment plan may include one or several different approaches.

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BBL® HEROic™ for Sun Damage & Pigmentation

Sciton BBL® HEROic™ (BroadBand Light) is an advanced light-based technology used to target visible pigmentation associated with sun damage and photoageing.

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BBL energy is absorbed by excess melanin within pigmented lesions, allowing unwanted pigmentation to be targeted while leaving surrounding tissue unaffected.

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For appropriately selected patients, BBL HEROic can help:

• Reduce sun spots and age spots

• Improve mottled pigmentation

• Improve uneven skin tone

• Reduce visible signs of sun damage

• Improve overall skin clarity and brightness

• Support collagen remodelling and skin rejuvenation

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Pigmented areas may initially become darker following treatment before gradually lifting and flaking away.

BBL HEROic is particularly useful for sun-induced pigmentation, but it isn’t automatically the correct treatment for every form of hyperpigmentation.

 

MOXI™ Laser for Pigmentation & Skin Rejuvenation

MOXI™ by Sciton is a non-ablative 1927 nm fractional laser designed to create controlled microscopic treatment zones within the skin.

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It can be used to improve:

• Uneven pigmentation

• Early signs of sun damage

• Uneven skin tone

• Skin texture

• Overall skin quality

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MOXI also offers different treatment intensities, allowing treatment to be adapted according to the individual patient’s skin and goals.

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For selected patients, MOXI may form part of a carefully managed pigmentation or melasma treatment programme.

 

BBL HEROic + MOXI Combination Treatment

For some clients, combining BBL HEROic and MOXI allows us to address multiple aspects of photodamage and skin ageing within the same treatment programme.

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Where clinically appropriate, the combination can target:

• Visible superficial pigmentation

• Uneven skin tone

• Sun damage

• Skin texture

• Overall skin quality

• Signs of photoageing

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Rather than automatically combining the technologies, we determine whether BBL, MOXI or a combination of the two is most appropriate following skin assessment.

 

Chemical Peels for Hyperpigmentation

Professional chemical peels can be useful for selected types of superficial pigmentation and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

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Depending on the formulation selected, chemical peels may help:

• Increase skin cell turnover

• Improve superficial pigmentation

• Brighten dull skin

• Improve post-acne marks

• Support other pigmentation treatments

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Peel selection is particularly important in pigmentation-prone and darker skin types, where excessive inflammation can potentially cause further PIH.

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We therefore select the peel according to your skin type, pigmentation, barrier health and treatment history rather than using the same peel for everyone.

 

Microneedling for Post-Acne Pigmentation

For suitable patients, SkinPen® microneedling may be incorporated into treatment plans where pigmentation exists alongside acne scarring, uneven texture or post-inflammatory changes.

Microneedling stimulates a controlled wound-healing response and skin remodelling without relying on heat.

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However, as with every pigmentation treatment at SKinfluence, suitability is determined following assessment.

 

Medical-Grade Skincare for Pigmentation

What happens at home can be just as important as what happens in the clinic.

Skincare is often the foundation of successful long-term pigmentation management.

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Depending on your skin and the type of pigmentation present, we may recommend ingredients including:

• Vitamin C

• Tranexamic acid

• Azelaic acid

• Retinoids

• Niacinamide

• Tyrosinase-inhibiting ingredients

• Antioxidants

• Barrier-supporting ingredients

• Broad-spectrum SPF

• Iron oxide/visible-light protection where appropriate

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Rather than recommending every pigment-fighting ingredient at once, we create a routine your skin can tolerate consistently.

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More aggressive skincare does not necessarily mean faster pigmentation clearance.

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In pigmentation-prone skin, irritation itself can become part of the problem.

 

What Is the Best Treatment for Pigmentation?

There isn’t one treatment that’s best for every type of pigmentation.

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For example:

Sun spots and photodamage:
BBL HEROic may be particularly effective in appropriately selected skin types.

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Uneven tone, early sun damage and skin quality:
MOXI may be considered.

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Melasma:
Usually requires a longer-term pigment-management strategy rather than simply trying to destroy visible pigment.

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Post-acne PIH:
Controlling acne and inflammation alongside pigment regulation is essential.

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Pigmentation in darker skin:
Treatment needs to minimise unnecessary inflammation and consider the increased risk of PIH.

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Your consultation is therefore designed to determine the best pigmentation treatment for your individual skin, rather than fitting your skin around a particular device.

 

Can Pigmentation Be Permanently Removed?

It depends on the type.

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Sun Damage

Individual sun spots can often be significantly reduced and, in some cases, cleared.

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However, treatment cannot erase your skin’s history of UV exposure or prevent new pigmentation from developing.

Continued sun protection and maintenance are therefore important.

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Melasma

Melasma is a chronic, relapsing condition.

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It can often be significantly improved, but hormonal, environmental and genetic triggers mean recurrence is possible.

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For melasma, we focus on control, improvement and long-term management rather than promising permanent removal.

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Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

PIH can fade considerably over time, particularly once the source of inflammation is controlled.

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The timeframe varies depending on the depth of pigment, skin type and whether inflammation is continuing.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Pigmentation Treatment

How many pigmentation treatments will I need?

This depends on the type, depth and severity of pigmentation and the treatment selected.

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Some clients see significant improvement following one treatment, while others benefit from a course of treatments alongside medical-grade skincare.

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We will discuss realistic expectations during your consultation.

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Does pigmentation come back after treatment?

It can.

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Professional treatment can remove or reduce existing pigmentation but cannot permanently stop melanocytes from producing pigment.

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UV exposure, hormones, heat and inflammation can stimulate further pigmentation, which is why prevention and maintenance are important.

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Is pigmentation treatment suitable for darker skin?

Yes, but treatment needs to be selected carefully.

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Certain laser and light treatments may not be suitable for every skin type. We assess your individual skin and pigmentation before recommending treatment.

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There are also several non-light-based approaches that can be particularly useful for pigmentation-prone skin.

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Can BBL treat melasma?

BBL can be extremely effective for appropriate sun-induced pigmentation, but melasma behaves differently.

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We don’t automatically treat melasma with BBL. Treatment is determined following assessment because excessive heat or inflammation can potentially aggravate melasma in some individuals.

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Will my pigmentation become darker after treatment?

With certain pigmentation treatments, targeted brown spots can temporarily become darker before gradually flaking or fading.

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We explain the expected response and aftercare before your treatment.

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What is the best treatment for sun spots?

For appropriate candidates, BBL HEROic can be highly effective for visible sun-induced pigmentation and age spots.

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Suitability depends on your skin type, pigmentation and medical history.

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What’s the difference between melasma and sun damage?

Sun damage often appears as individual, defined brown spots caused by cumulative UV exposure.

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Melasma more commonly presents as symmetrical patches of pigmentation and is influenced by factors including hormones, UV, visible light, genetics and heat.

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Correctly distinguishing between them is important because their treatment strategies can be very different.

 

Pigmentation Treatment Near Stamford & Across Cambridgeshire

SKinfluence is based in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, and welcomes clients travelling from Stamford and surrounding areas for advanced pigmentation assessment and treatment.

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Our Peterborough clinic offers access to technologies including Sciton BBL HEROic and MOXI, alongside SkinPen microneedling, professional chemical peels, advanced skin analysis and personalised medical-grade skincare programmes.

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If you’ve been searching for pigmentation treatment in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire or near Stamford, your first appointment is designed to establish exactly what type of pigmentation you have before deciding how it should be treated.

 

Why Choose SKinfluence for Pigmentation Treatment in Peterborough?

At SKinfluence, our approach to pigmentation is based on assessment, education and appropriate treatment selection rather than simply treating every brown mark with the same device.

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Your pigmentation journey may combine:

✓ Advanced PRO-A digital skin analysis
✓ Individual pigmentation assessment
✓ Sciton BBL® HEROic™
✓ Sciton MOXI™ fractional laser
✓ SkinPen® microneedling
✓ Professional chemical peels
✓ Medical-grade skincare
✓ Personalised treatment planning
✓ Long-term pigmentation management
✓ Ongoing support and education

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We have a particular interest in pigmentation, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and the safe treatment of melanin-rich skin.

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Most importantly, we’ll tell you when a treatment isn’t appropriate for your pigmentation.

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Because successful pigmentation treatment starts with understanding why the pigment is there — not simply trying to remove what you can see.

 

Book a Pigmentation Consultation in Peterborough

If you’re concerned about sun damage, age spots, melasma, post-acne pigmentation, freckles or uneven skin tone, the first step is identifying what’s driving the pigmentation.

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Book a comprehensive skin consultation at SKinfluence Peterborough for an individual skin assessment and personalised treatment plan.

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We welcome clients from Peterborough, Stamford, Cambridgeshire and surrounding areas.