Hyperpigmentation Treatment in Korea: What Amelie Recommends, and How I Decide Which Pigment You Have

Hyperpigmentation is one word for at least four different things, and that's the first thing I tell patients who arrive with it. I'm Dr. Hyunji Kim, director of Delphic Clinic in Sinnonhyeon, Gangnam. I trained at Korea University Medical Center and I consult and treat international patients myself, and pigment is one of the concerns I hear most from visitors. Amelie (@amelieclarah) recommends “this treatment” to her followers without naming it. Rather than guess, I'll explain how I work out which pigment you have, the options I'd weigh, and when laser is the wrong first move.

Medically reviewed · Dr. Hyunji Kim · October 8, 2026

First, which pigment is it?

Amelie's post recommends a treatment for hyperpigmentation but doesn't say which one, so this isn't a review of her session. It's how I'd approach the same concern if you sat in front of me.

Freckles, sun spots, the marks acne leaves behind, and melasma can all be called hyperpigmentation. They sit at different depths and react differently to heat. Melasma in particular can darken if it's treated too aggressively, which is why I name the pigment before I name a device.

If you're unsure which you have, my explanation of freckles vs melasma is a good place to start.

The three tools I weigh

1. 1

   PicoSure toning

   A 755 nm picosecond laser that targets melanin in very short pulses while sparing surrounding tissue. It's my usual base for stubborn, scattered pigment, repeated every 1–2 weeks.

2. 2

   GV laser, pigment mode

   532 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths with four modes, including pigment and red acne marks. Useful when pigment comes with redness or vessels, in 10–30 minutes.

3. 3

   Melasma injection

   Tranexamic acid, which interferes with melanin production, combined with PDRN for regeneration, placed under the affected area. I add it when melasma is part of the picture.

For melasma especially, I work with gentle energy over several sessions. I've explained why Seoul doctors treat melasma low and slow and what that means for your plan.

When I'd hold off on laser

• You've just come back from a beach holiday or have a fresh tan. Pigment treatment on recently sun-stimulated skin is harder to control.
• Your skin is irritated from retinol, whitening products or a recent peel. I'd let it settle first.
• Your “pigment” is actually redness. That's a different conversation, and GV's vascular mode may matter more.
• You can't commit to daily sunscreen afterwards. Without it, pigment tends to come back.

What hyperpigmentation treatment costs here

These are example menu prices for this concern. They are not what Amelie paid, since her post doesn't say. International patients pay exactly what Korean patients pay.

Pigment is a course, not a single visit, so the useful number is the cost of a plan. I've broken down pigmentation treatment cost by spot type to help you estimate.

The part that decides whether it lasts

Sunscreen, reapplied, every day. Mild redness or fine flaking can appear and usually settles within a few days. For a while, skip retinol, whitening cosmetics and peels, and use plenty of moisturiser, because laser heat can leave skin dry.

1. 1

   Before you fly

   Message us on WhatsApp with a photo in daylight, no makeup. Tell me how long the patches have been there and whether they change with the seasons.

2. 2

   On the day

   1:1 consultation with me, then same-day treatment if it suits you. English and Chinese interpreters are on site, near Exit 3 of Sinnonhyeon Station.

3. 3

   Between trips

   If you can return every few weeks, we plan a course. If not, I'll tell you honestly what one or two sessions can start.