Pigmentation removal

What are pigment spots and how are they removed?

Pigment spots are overly dense accumulations of melanin in the skin. The typical types are solar lentigo ("age spots", often on the backs of the hands or on the face), melasma (a larger dark patch, often in the central part of the face, frequently linked to pregnancy or hormonal contraceptives) and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (a darker mark left behind by acne or inflammation).

The removal method depends on the type of pigment spot. Solar lentigo and age spots respond best to a picosecond laser (PicoWay, PicoSure) or a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser — the targeted wavelength breaks the melanin into small particles that the body then clears away. Melasma is harder — laser can make it worse, which is why chemical peels (TCA, glycolic acid) and prescription creams (hydroquinone, tretinoin) are preferred.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) works closer to the surface and suits the removal of mild solar lentigo. Several laser device brands are available in Estonia (Fotona, Quanta, Lumenis, Cynosure, Candela). The specific choice depends on your skin type (Fitzpatrick I–VI) and on the type of pigment spot.

Pigmentation removal prices in Estonia and how a session goes

Removing a single pigment spot starts from €50–100 in Estonia. Full laser treatment of the hands or the face costs €200–400 per session. Package prices (3–5 sessions) run €600–1500. A consultation with dermoscopy costs €30–80 separately. The chemical peel used for melasma costs €80–150 per session.

At the consultation the doctor assesses the type of pigment spot and your skin type (Fitzpatrick) and draws up a plan. Spots that look suspicious (irregular shape, multi-coloured, recent growth) are referred on to a dermatologist to rule out melanoma — this is a crucial step.

The laser session itself takes 15–45 minutes. A cooling cream is used, and a numbing cream if needed. After the session the spot may be temporarily darker (for a couple of days — this is a normal reaction; the melanin rises to the surface and flakes off with the crust). Social downtime is 5–14 days. Sun protection with SPF 50+ is mandatory for at least 4 weeks.

How to choose a beauty clinic for pigmentation removal

The first criterion is a Health Board licence and a doctor or dermatologist who can tell the different types of pigmentation apart. The wrong method — a strong laser on melasma, for instance — can make things worse, and the pigmentation comes back stronger than it was to begin with.

Browse the list of Estonian beauty clinics on our /kliinikud page. Look for a clinic that uses a dedicated pigment laser (picosecond or Q-switched). Lower-priced IPL can be effective on solar lentigo, but not in sensitive cases.

At the consultation, ask which device specifically will be chosen for your pigment spot, how many sessions are typically needed, and what the aftercare plan is. An experienced specialist gives realistic expectations — some pigment spots need 3–5 sessions to fade completely.

Risks, side effects and contraindications

Typical side effects are redness for 24–72 hours, a light crust for 5–10 days, and temporary darkening of the pigment before it sheds. More serious and rare ones: post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (especially on darker skin types), hypopigmentation (local loss of pigment) and scarring (rare).

Contraindications: pregnancy (especially with melasma, since hormones affect pigmentation), active skin inflammation or infection in the treatment area, a fresh tan or fake tan, isotretinoin treatment within the last 6 months, photosensitising medicines, and autoimmune conditions. Talk about all of these openly at the consultation.

Pigmentation removal in Estonia's larger cities

Tallinn and Tartu have the widest choice of beauty clinics offering pigmentation removal with professional pigment lasers. Pärnu, Narva and other cities also have a few qualified clinics, often IPL-based.

If you have melasma or a larger treatment area (the whole face or the hands, for example), it may be worth choosing a specialised clinic — the combination of a quality device and an experienced specialist matters far more to the result than location does. See the full list on our /kliinikud page.