Patient case · in the doctor's own words
Which Laser for Hyperpigmentation? Amelie's Advice, and My Type-by-Type Guide to Sun Spots, Melasma and Acne Marks
Amelie (@amelieclarah) tells followers with hyperpigmentation to try a treatment at Delphic Clinic. Her doctor turns that into a decision guide: which laser suits sun spots, melasma, brown or red acne marks, and when no laser should come first.
Explained by
Dr. Hyunji Kim
Director · Lead Physician · Lifting, Laser & Anti-aging
Tap to play — it opens right here, no TikTok app needed.
“Which laser is the right one for my hyperpigmentation?” is a question I hear several times a week, usually from someone who has already read five contradicting answers online. 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. Amelie (@amelieclarah) posted the same message on TikTok as on Instagram, recommending “this treatment” without naming it. On her Instagram case I explained how I identify the pigment; this page goes one step further and matches each common type to the laser I'd reach for, and the type where I'd reach for none.
Medically reviewed · Dr. Hyunji Kim ·
In her own words
If you suffer with hyperpigmentation you should definitely try this treatment
Is there one right laser for hyperpigmentation?
There isn't a single laser for hyperpigmentation that suits everyone, and any clinic that names one before seeing you is guessing. The right choice depends on what the pigment is, how deep it sits, and how your skin reacts to heat.
Amelie's TikTok doesn't say which treatment she had, so this isn't a review of her session. If you want to know how I work out your pigment type in the first place, I covered that on her Instagram case.
Which laser for which type of hyperpigmentation?
- 1
Sun spots and freckles
Well-defined brown spots near the surface. PicoSure toning (755 nm, very short pulses aimed at melanin) or GV laser in pigment mode usually respond well, often over a few sessions.
- 2
Melasma
Hazy patches, often on both cheeks, that darken with sun and hormones. I use gentle energy over several sessions and often add a melasma injection with tranexamic acid and PDRN.
- 3
Brown marks after acne
Flat brown marks left once a spot heals. Gentle toning helps them fade, but only once active acne is under control.
- 4
Red marks after acne
These aren't pigment at all; they're blood vessels. GV laser has a mode for red acne marks, which makes it my usual choice here.
- 5
Marks with scars or rough texture
When pigment sits on pitted or uneven skin, I consider Fraxel for the texture and treat colour separately.
If you're not sure whether you're looking at freckles or melasma, my guide to telling freckles vs melasma apart is the place to start.
Can a laser make hyperpigmentation worse?
Yes, if the energy is wrong for the pigment. Melasma in particular can darken after aggressive treatment, which is why I keep settings low and build up over sessions. Medium and deeper skin tones also need more conservative settings to avoid new marks.
This is also why I don't pick a laser from a photo alone. I look at the skin in person and under analysis before choosing the device and the energy.
PicoSure, GV or Fraxel: how I choose between them
- Mostly colour, scattered or stubborn: PicoSure toning, repeated every 1–2 weeks
- Colour plus redness or visible vessels: GV laser, every 2–4 weeks, 10–30 minutes
- Colour plus acne scars or enlarged pores: Fraxel for texture, with toning for colour
- Melasma in the mix: low-energy toning, often paired with a melasma injection
The texture-versus-colour decision has its own article: PicoSure vs Fraxel, and which laser suits which problem.
When no laser should come first
- Active acne is still producing new spots. I treat the acne first, or the marks keep coming.
- You're freshly tanned or just back from a beach trip.
- Your skin is irritated from retinol, peels or whitening products.
- You're pregnant, or can't commit to daily sunscreen afterwards.
What hyperpigmentation laser costs, by type
These are example menu prices, not what Amelie paid. International patients pay exactly what Korean patients pay. Because most pigment needs a course, a multi-session price often tells you more than a single visit.
- PicoSure Toning + Mask, 5 Sessions (Face)₩250,000≈ $180
- GV Laser, 1 Session₩120,000≈ $90
- Melasma Injection 2cc₩200,000≈ $140
Example menu prices by pigment type — not what Amelie paid. VAT excluded · identical for Korean and international patients · first-visit prices exist for some items (PicoSure toning + mask ₩40,000, GV laser one mode ₩89,000). Your plan is confirmed at the free consultation.
- 1
Before you fly
Send a daylight photo without makeup on WhatsApp, and tell me whether the patches change with the seasons.
- 2
On the day
Free 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
Afterwards
Sunscreen every day, plenty of moisturiser, and no retinol, peels or scrubs for a while. That routine decides how long the result lasts.
Is this for you?
Who this combination genuinely suits
Signs it may be time
- You've read conflicting advice on which laser to choose
- Your patches darken every summer
- Acne cleared but left brown or red marks
- You have a medium or deeper skin tone and worry about new marks
A good fit if
- You have sun spots, freckles, melasma or marks left by acne
- You want the laser chosen for your pigment type, not the other way round
- You can plan for several sessions
- You'll use sunscreen daily afterwards
Not the right first step if: you still have active acne, you're freshly tanned or your skin is irritated, or you're pregnant; I'd treat the cause first or wait.
“Send me a daylight photo before your trip. I'll tell you which type I think you have and which laser, if any, I'd start with.”
Questions patients ask me about this
Which laser is good for hyperpigmentation?
It depends on the type. Sun spots and freckles often respond to PicoSure toning or GV laser in pigment mode, melasma needs gentle settings over several sessions, and red acne marks are usually treated with GV laser.
What laser is used for melasma?
Low-energy toning over several sessions is the usual approach, because aggressive settings can darken melasma. A melasma injection with tranexamic acid and PDRN is often added.
Can laser remove post-acne marks?
Brown marks can fade with gentle toning once acne is controlled, and red marks often respond to GV laser. Marks with scarring may need Fraxel for texture as well.
Is pico laser safe for darker skin?
It can be used with conservative settings chosen by the doctor. Deeper skin tones are more prone to new pigment after heat, so the plan is usually gentler and spread over more sessions.
How much is laser for hyperpigmentation in Korea?
At Delphic Clinic, five PicoSure toning sessions with a mask are ₩250,000, one GV laser session ₩120,000 and a melasma injection ₩200,000, VAT excluded. International patients pay the same as Korean patients.
Get a free 1:1 consultation
Message our English-speaking team — same price as locals, no pressure.
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