Hyperpigmentation Treatment in Seongsu, Seoul
Diagnosis-first pigment care, including post-acne marks, with custom laser plans
Hyperpigmentation simply means areas of skin that are darker than the surrounding skin. At Seongsu Melting Clinic in Seongsu, Seoul, Dr. Park Kyung-min treats it through a custom pigment laser program, and the first and most important step is working out what kind of pigment you have.
Different types of dark marks respond to different treatments, and some need no laser at all.
What is hyperpigmentation?
Pigment cells in the skin produce melanin to protect against light and injury. When that process is triggered unevenly, marks appear. Common types include sun spots and freckles from UV exposure, melasma linked to hormones and light, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
PIH is the brown or gray mark left behind after acne, a burn, a rash or even an aggressive treatment. It is especially common in medium and darker skin tones. PIH often fades on its own over months, but treatment and sun protection may speed the process.
How we approach hyperpigmentation at Seongsu Melting Clinic
The custom pigment laser program begins with a close examination. Dr. Park looks at color, depth, borders and pattern, and asks about acne history, sun habits and past treatments. Then he chooses among the clinic's tools:
- Miin laser toning for diffuse or blotchy pigment and dullness
- Targeted Miin Q-switched settings for distinct sun spots and freckles
- Noblin, a dual-wavelength laser combining Noblex for pigment and Ailin for vessels, useful when marks are a mix of brown and red, as post-acne marks often are
- Acne care such as Gold PTT or AccuTone 1450nm when ongoing breakouts keep creating new marks
Settings are kept conservative in skin that tends to develop PIH, because irritation from treatment can itself cause new pigment.
A good fit if…
- You have post-acne marks, sun spots or uneven tone
- Your marks have been assessed and are not changing or irregular
- You can use sunscreen daily
- You want a plan matched to your specific pigment type
Consider something else if…
- You are pregnant (many laser treatments are postponed)
- You have active inflammation that needs calming first
- You have a fresh tan
- A mark is growing, bleeding or changing shape (it needs medical assessment first)
What to expect
Your first visit includes the diagnosis and an explanation of the plan. Most pigment treatments are quick. Toning usually leaves mild redness, while targeted spot treatment may leave marks temporarily darker before they flake away.
Most people need several sessions, and pigment can return with sun exposure or new breakouts. Pricing is explained at consultation.
Aftercare
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning and reapply outdoors
- Avoid picking or squeezing pimples, which can create new PIH
- Keep skincare gentle; avoid strong scrubs
- Let crusts fall off on their own
- Contact the clinic about any new darkening
A note from Dr. Park
Dr. Park often says that looking carefully comes before treating. For pigment, that means he may decide that a patient's mark is mostly redness rather than brown pigment, or that acne needs to be controlled first. Explaining these reasons before treatment helps patients understand why their plan looks the way it does.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between PIH and melasma?
PIH follows an injury or inflammation, such as acne. Melasma is linked to light, heat and hormones and usually appears as symmetric patches. They are treated differently.
How long do post-acne marks take to fade?
Without treatment, many fade over months. Treatment and sun protection may shorten that time, but results vary.
Will laser make my pigment worse?
Any laser can cause temporary darkening, especially in darker skin. Choosing appropriate settings and aftercare lowers that risk.
Related treatments
Book a consultation at Seongsu Melting Clinic
Message us on WhatsApp or KakaoTalk, or call +82-2-468-7179. International patients are welcome to write to us in English.
- Address: 4F #403, Samjin Building, 113 Achasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Seongsu-dong 2-ga)
- Getting here: Seongsu Station (Line 2), Exit 2, about a 3-minute walk. Parking available.
- Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–20:00 (lunch 13:00–14:00) · Sat 09:30–15:00 · Closed Sundays & public holidays
Directions, hours and booking options · Meet Dr. Park Kyung-min
Treatment plans, number of sessions and results vary from person to person and are decided after an in-person consultation. This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for medical advice.