Dermatologist-Led · Mount Gravatt, Brisbane
Pigmentation Removal in Mount Gravatt, Brisbane
Sun spots, freckles, dark marks after acne, melasma or deeper pigment? A specialist dermatologist works out which type of pigmentation you have first, then matches the treatment to it.
Specialist consultations from $395 · No referral needed · Nurse-led PicoSure Pro $650 full face · Total cost confirmed in writing before you start · See fees
Led by Dr Mitch Robinson, FACD, first author of published evidence-based guidelines on lentigo maligna (Dermatology, 2020), an early melanoma that can look like a sun spot.
Meet Dr MitchPigmentation Treatment at a Glance
Pigmentation Before and After Photos
Patients of DERM Skin Specialists, photographed in the same conditions.
BeforeAfter 4 sessions
BeforeAfter 6 weeks
BeforeAfter 2 sessions
BeforeAfter 8 weeksBefore photo on the left in each pair. Tap a photo to see it larger. Individual results vary. Results depend on the type of pigment, your skin type and sun protection. Melasma can return after treatment. All procedures carry risks; see the risks section below.
Send Us Photos of Your Pigmentation
Want to know which treatment suits your pigmentation and roughly what it costs? Fill in a short form, then reply to our text with a few photos. We'll be in touch ASAP about the right consult and a price guide.
Photo tips: one close-up and one of your whole face or the area, with no make-up or filters. Normal room light is fine.
Photos help us guide you but don't replace a consultation. Photos can't rule out skin cancer, so any new or changing spot needs an in-person skin check. Price guides are estimates; your exact costs are confirmed at your consult. For adults 18 and over. Photos are stored securely by our messaging provider, Podium, which may store data outside Australia.
Can Pigmentation Be Removed?
The short answer: it depends on the type. Sun spots and freckles often lighten a lot, or clear, in 1–3 laser sessions once a dermatologist has checked them. Dark marks after acne usually fade over months, faster with treatment. Melasma can't be removed for good, but it can usually be lightened and kept under control with a long-term plan.
Pigmentation removal starts with working out what the pigment is. Brown patches on both cheeks, scattered sun spots, freckles and dark marks after acne can look alike but need different treatment. In Brisbane, where the sun is strong all year, many people have more than one type.
At DERM Skin Specialists in Mount Gravatt, a specialist dermatologist diagnoses your pigment first. Checked, simple sun spots can then be treated with nurse-led PicoSure Pro or LaseMD Ultra. Melasma, deeper pigment and anything uncertain stay with our dermatologists. We see patients from across Brisbane's southside, including Holland Park, Carindale and Sunnybank.
Realistic expectations
What Pigmentation Results Can You Expect?
Results depend most on the type of pigment. Here's what's realistic.
The name decides the treatment
Which Type of Pigmentation Do You Have?
Here's what common descriptions usually turn out to be; a dermatologist confirms which you have. Tap a type to read more.
Many people have more than one type, such as melasma with sun spots. Working that out is the first part of your consultation.
In his own words
Dr Mitch's Take on Pigmentation and Melasma
I'm Dr Mitch Robinson, a specialist dermatologist (FACD) at DERM Skin Specialists in Mount Gravatt, Brisbane. Pigmentation and melasma make up a large part of my practice. Here's what I'd want anyone with pigmentation or melasma to know.
1. Pigmentation isn't one diagnosis. "Pigmentation" is an umbrella term. Melasma, sun spots, freckles, dark marks after acne and Hori's naevus can look similar on the surface but behave very differently once you start treating them. Many people with melasma call it pigmentation or hormonal pigmentation, and many people with sun spots think they have melasma. The name matters, because it decides the treatment.
2. Diagnosis comes before any laser. Where things usually go wrong is misdiagnosis. When pigment is misclassified, treatments end up mismatched to the condition, the skin type or the depth of pigment, and outcomes suffer. I've been referred patients for management of 'pigment' that ultimately turned out to be melanoma, which is why I don't treat pigmentation blindly. Lentigo maligna, an early melanoma, can look like an ordinary sun spot. I was first author of published evidence-based guidelines on managing it (Dermatology, 2020), and it's one reason every brown spot is checked before it's treated.
3. Skin type matters as much as the pigment. An approach that works well in one skin type can be completely inappropriate in another. A large part of my training and ongoing work has involved managing pigmentation in Asian and mixed skin types, including time spent working with and learning from centres in South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand, where pigment is managed cautiously and with a strong emphasis on long-term stability.
4. The right laser at the right settings makes a real difference. In my practice, I'll often use PicoSure Pro or LaseMD, but only when they're appropriate. I tend to use Pico more for deeper or more complex pigment, particularly in Asian or higher-risk skin types. LaseMD is something I reserve for more superficial pigment in lighter skin types, where I'm confident the skin will tolerate fractional treatment without destabilising pigment. For melasma, I settle and protect the skin first, then add laser, which helps the improvement last.
5. Daily light protection is part of the treatment. Melasma reacts to visible light as well as UV. A tinted SPF 50+ with iron oxides, worn every day and not just on sunny days, is part of every plan I write.
6. The goal is remission, not a quick fix. These devices are tools, not solutions on their own. I use them as part of a broader plan that also includes topical management and strict light protection. Melasma can't be cured, but it can usually be lightened and often kept under control. The aim isn't to chase pigment aggressively. It's to get the skin into remission, then keep it there with a plan that's realistic and sustainable over time.
Dr Mitch Robinson, FACD (Ahpra MED0001946771), specialist dermatologist, DERM Skin Specialists, Mount Gravatt, Brisbane
Check first, treat second
Why Does a Dermatologist Check Pigment Before Laser?
Lentigo maligna is an early melanoma. It appears as a slowly enlarging, uneven brown patch on sun-damaged skin, usually after 60, and is often mistaken for a sun spot. Lasers aren't recommended for lentigo maligna (Robinson et al., Dermatology, 2020). A laser can lighten the visible colour while the melanoma cells remain.
So we examine each spot with a dermatoscope, photograph your skin and work out the type and depth of pigment. A suspicious spot is biopsied before any cosmetic treatment.
See a doctor soon if a spot is
- New, or changing in size, shape or colour
- Uneven in outline or has several colours
- Growing larger than the others
- Bleeding, itchy or not healing
Its own long-term plan
Melasma: Why It Needs a Different Plan
Melasma is the pigmentation most likely to keep coming back. It's driven by UV and visible light, hormones, genes and heat, so it's managed over the long term rather than removed in a few sessions.
A melasma plan usually starts with daily tinted SPF 50+ and prescription creams or tablets where appropriate, prescribed by a dermatologist. Gentle laser such as PicoSure Pro or RedTouch PRO is added once the skin has settled, followed by maintenance before each summer.
Our melasma treatment page explains the four-phase plan, melasma on the upper lip, melasma in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and how to keep it faded through a Brisbane summer.
Melasma dermatologist in Brisbane. Dr Mitch, Dr Emily Shao and Dr Benny Yau all see melasma. Your assessment confirms the diagnosis and sets out a plan with costs.
A step-by-step plan
How Do Dermatologists Treat Pigmentation?
Most plans combine several of these steps.
For sun spots and freckles the plan is often short: check, treat with laser or a peel, then protect. For melasma, the same steps become a long-term plan; see melasma treatment.
Choose by the pigment, not the device
Which Laser Is Used for Pigmentation and Sun Spots?
Our laser suite has several devices, and the right one depends on what the pigment is, how deep it sits and your skin type.
Straight after LaseMD
Does Pigmentation Laser Hurt, and What's the Downtime?
This patient's forehead, shown with consent, is straight after LaseMD: red and warm, with a fine grid of treated dots that settles over days.
How it feels: PicoSure Pro feels like a sharp snap, like a rubber band flicked against the skin, then warmth. LaseMD feels warm and prickly as the handpiece passes over. Numbing cream goes on beforehand (about an hour for LaseMD), and cold air cools the skin as we go. You can ask for a break at any time.
After PicoSure Pro: treated spots turn grey-white for a few minutes, then pink. Over the next few days they darken, then flake off over 1–2 weeks. Redness lasts from a few hours to 3 days, and most people return to work the next day.
After LaseMD Ultra: on days 1 to 2 the skin feels tight and dry and can look bronzed and rough, like fine sandpaper. Days 3 to 5 bring mild flaking, which carries surface pigment out. By days 5 to 7 most flaking has gone. Most people are back to normal activities within 2 to 4 days.
You'll go home with written aftercare, and we review your skin before any further session.
Pigmentation in Asian, Olive and Darker Skin
Melasma, dark marks after acne and Hori's naevus are more common in Asian, olive and darker skin, and these skin types are also more likely to darken after any irritation, peel or laser.
Treatment is still possible. It takes more preparation, lower-energy settings and more patience. Pico laser is often chosen here because its very short pulse puts less heat into the skin, but the main safeguard is a cautious plan.
How we adjust for your skin
- Prepare the skin for 2–4 weeks first
- Test patches before full treatment
- Lower-energy laser settings
- Longer gaps between sessions
- No treatment on tanned skin
- Strict UV and visible-light protection
Compare the course, not the session
How Much Does Pigmentation Treatment Cost in Brisbane?
Nurse-led laser has a set price. Dermatologist-led treatment is priced on assessment. You get the total course cost in writing first.
Dermatologist Consultation
From $395
- Diagnosis and a check of every spot
- Written plan with total course cost
- Dermatologist-led treatment: price on assessment
PicoSure Pro, Nurse-Led
$650
- Per full-face session
- Small areas $400
- Sun spots: often 1–3 sessions
LaseMD Ultra, Nurse-Led
$695
- Full face per session
- $990 face and neck
- $1,495 face, neck and chest
The real cost is the course. Three full-face PicoSure Pro sessions come to $1,950. A full-face LaseMD Ultra course of 2 to 4 sessions comes to $1,390 to $2,780. Melasma is different: costs are spread over time and include reviews, any prescription treatment, a tinted sunscreen and, only if useful, procedures.
Other options. Nurse-led chemical peels start from $150 for the face, and RedTouch PRO with a peel and LED is $495. Dermatologist-performed laser, such as for Hori's naevus, is quoted after your consultation.
Medicare. Cosmetic pigment treatment isn't covered by Medicare; a biopsy or skin cancer treatment may be. No referral is needed to book. With a GP referral, part of your consultation fee may be rebated.
Risks of Pigmentation Treatment, and How We Reduce Them
Every treatment carries some risk. Here's how we reduce each one.
When to call us: phone 07 3487 1414 if treated skin blisters, weeps, crusts yellow, becomes increasingly painful, or darkens and hasn't settled after 4 weeks. Tell us if you get cold sores; we'll plan for it.
Our Team
Who Treats Pigmentation at DERM Skin Specialists?
Your diagnosis and plan come from a specialist dermatologist. Dr Mitch Robinson (FACD, Ahpra MED0001946771) leads our laser suite and sees complex pigment, Hori's naevus, birthmarks and any spot that needs a diagnosis. Dr Emily Shao (FACD, Ahpra MED0002004352) and Dr Benny Yau (FACD, Ahpra MED0000977637), also specialist dermatologists, see pigmentation and melasma and perform laser treatments too.
Nurse-led PicoSure Pro, LaseMD Ultra, DermaV and peels are done by our cosmetic nurses, Registered Nurses trained in laser and led by senior cosmetic nurse Hatsu, working within our dermatology practice. If your nurse sees a spot that needs a doctor's opinion, you'll see a dermatologist before treatment. CO2 laser is rarely part of a pigment plan; when it is, Dr Mitch performs it himself.
Mount Gravatt, Brisbane
Pigmentation Removal in Mount Gravatt
DERM Skin Specialists is at 2/1437 Logan Road, Mount Gravatt, about 15 minutes' drive from the Brisbane CBD, with free parking onsite. It's a short drive from Upper Mount Gravatt, Mansfield, Wishart, Eight Mile Plains and across Brisbane's southside.
Common Questions
Pigmentation Removal: Common Questions
What's the difference between melasma and pigmentation?
Pigmentation, or hyperpigmentation, is the umbrella term for any extra colour in the skin. Melasma is one type: blotchy brown patches, usually on both cheeks, the forehead or upper lip, driven by sunlight and hormones. Sun spots, freckles and dark marks after acne are other types, and each is treated differently. See melasma treatment.
What are these brown patches on my face?
Usually melasma, sun spots or dark marks left after acne. Patches on both cheeks, the forehead or upper lip that darken in summer are often melasma. A new or changing spot should be checked first. See the common types.
How can I tell melasma from sun spots or freckles?
Melasma forms blotchy patches with blurred edges, mostly on the face. Sun spots are separate, well-defined spots that don't fade in winter. Freckles are smaller and fade in winter. A dermatologist can tell them apart with a dermatoscope.
Can pigmentation be a sign of skin cancer?
Most pigmentation isn't. But some skin cancers, such as lentigo maligna, an early melanoma, can look like a harmless brown spot, which is why any new or changing spot is checked before treatment.
How are sun spots removed?
Once a dermatologist has confirmed they're harmless, sun spots can be lightened with laser, such as PicoSure Pro, LaseMD Ultra or DermaV, or with peels. They often lighten a lot in 1–3 sessions. See sun spot removal. Rough, scaly "sunspots" are solar keratoses and are treated differently; see sun damage.
Can dark marks after acne be treated?
Yes. Flat brown marks after pimples usually fade over months, and faster with sun protection, treatment of the acne itself, and sometimes peels or PicoSure Pro. See brown acne marks.
What is Hori's naevus?
Blue-grey or grey-brown patches, usually on both cheeks, that sit deeper in the skin and are often mistaken for melasma. They usually fade gradually over a series of laser treatments spaced months apart, planned by a dermatologist.
Do pharmacy creams work for pigmentation?
Ingredients such as niacinamide and vitamin C can help mild pigment. Avoid unregulated lightening creams bought online. If pigment hasn't improved in a few months, have it checked.
How many laser sessions will I need for pigmentation?
Sun spots often need 1–3 sessions. Melasma usually needs 2–3 months of creams and protection first, sometimes with a few gentle procedures, then ongoing maintenance.
How much does pigmentation laser cost in Brisbane?
At DERM Skin Specialists, nurse-led PicoSure Pro is $650 a full-face session ($400 for a small area), and nurse-led LaseMD Ultra is $695 for the face. A specialist consultation is from $395, and dermatologist-led treatment is priced on assessment. Cosmetic treatments aren't covered by Medicare.
How long before an event should I have laser for pigmentation?
Allow at least 2 weeks after a single PicoSure Pro or LaseMD session for darkened spots and flaking to clear, and longer for a course. For melasma, start months ahead, ideally in the cooler months, because results build slowly.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly. With a GP referral, part of the consultation fee may be rebated by Medicare.
Can I have treatment while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Sun protection and some skincare are fine. Most lasers, peels and prescription creams are usually postponed until after pregnancy and breastfeeding. We'll plan around you.
Get a Clear Diagnosis and a Plan
Book a consultation with Dr Mitch. We'll check your skin, confirm what's causing your pigmentation, and give you a written plan with the total cost before you start.
Not ready to book? Send us photos first for a consult and price guide.
Clinical content overseen by Dr Mitch Robinson, FACD (AHPRA MED0001946771). Updated October 2026. General information only, not medical advice. All procedures carry risks; suitability, recovery and results vary between individuals.