Best Melasma and Pigmentation Clinic in London (2026 Guide)
Melasma is one of the most misunderstood skin conditions, and one of the easiest to make worse. The brown or greyish patches, usually on the cheeks, forehead or upper lip, are driven by hormones, sun and heat, and they behave more like an inflammatory condition than a simple stain. That is why the wrong treatment, particularly an aggressive laser in inexperienced hands, can leave melasma darker rather than lighter, and why this is a condition that really belongs with a medical dermatologist. This is an honest guide to some of the best clinics and consultants in London for melasma and pigmentation, chosen for genuine medical expertise and a cautious, evidence-based approach rather than marketing, with the criteria we used set out in full. Because pigmentation often affects skin of colour differently, we have paid particular attention to that expertise. A note on transparency: this guide is published by Dermasurge Clinic, and we have placed our own clinic first. We explain exactly why below, and you should read the criteria and judge for yourself. The other four are genuine, highly regarded consultant dermatologists, and any of them may be the right fit depending on your skin and your preferences.Why Melasma Needs a Careful Approach
Melasma is stubborn and prone to relapse, and there is no single cure. The most effective plans are usually medical and gradual: daily broad-spectrum sun protection, pigment-suppressing topicals, and sometimes prescription treatments, with lasers and peels used cautiously and only when appropriate. The clinics that get the best results tend to be the ones that resist the urge to reach straight for a device, because with melasma, restraint is often the skill. Results vary from person to person, and it is honest to describe melasma as managed rather than removed.How We Chose These Clinics
These are the five things we weighted, and the things we would suggest you check whoever you see:- A medical dermatologist, not a salon. Melasma is a medical condition, so it is best assessed by a consultant dermatologist who can confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes of pigmentation.
- Caution with lasers and peels. The best clinicians are careful with energy devices in melasma, because the wrong choice can worsen it. A topical-first, gradual approach is often safer.
- Skin-of-colour expertise. Pigmentation presents and responds differently in darker skin, which carries a higher risk of post-inflammatory marks, so experience here matters.
- A long-term plan. Melasma relapses, so you want a clinician who sets up ongoing management and sun protection rather than promising a one-off fix.
- Real, recent reviews. Verifiable patient feedback on Google or a recognised platform, not just testimonials on the clinic’s own site.
| Clinic | Best known for | Where they are |
|---|---|---|
| ★ Our pick Dermasurge Clinic |
Consultant-led melasma care with skin-of-colour expertise | 121 Harley Street |
| Dr Sharon Belmo | Pigmentation in Black and brown skin | 152 Harley Street |
| Dr Björn Thomas | Conservative, topical-first management | 55 Harley Street |
| Dr Sam Bunting | Evidence-based, restrained-device approach | 41 Harley Street |
| Dr Mohammad Ghazavi | Combination protocols including pigment-safe peels | Maida Vale |
1. Dermasurge Clinic (Best for Consultant-Led Care with Skin-of-Colour Expertise)
Disclosure: this guide is published by Dermasurge, which is why we appear first and why we have set out our criteria openly. Read them, compare us with the four consultants below, and decide for yourself.
Dermasurge Clinic is a consultant dermatology practice at 121 Harley Street, founded by Dr Hiba Injibar, a consultant dermatologist on the GMC specialist register (GMC reference 7502289). Its strength in melasma treatment is that pigmentation is treated medically and cautiously, and that the clinic has genuine expertise in skin of colour, where melasma is both more common and more easily aggravated.
Why the medical approach matters. Alongside Dr Injibar, the clinic includes Dr Mary Sommerlad, a consultant dermatologist with a particular clinical and academic focus on pigmentation disorders and dermatology in skin of colour. Melasma is managed with a considered plan: rigorous sun protection, pigment-suppressing topicals and prescription treatments where appropriate, with lasers and peels used carefully and only when they genuinely suit your skin. The aim is steady, lasting improvement rather than a quick fix that risks a rebound.
What patients say. At the time of writing, Dermasurge holds a rating of 4.8 out of 5 from more than 240 Google reviews, and the clinic is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). As with any clinic, we would suggest reading recent reviews yourself.
Best for: people who want melasma treated by a consultant dermatologist with real skin-of-colour expertise and a cautious, long-term plan. It is the right choice when you want the condition managed medically rather than lasered aggressively. Results vary from person to person, so an assessment is needed to determine what is realistic for your skin. You can read more on why patients choose Dermasurge or arrange an assessment through the clinic contact page.
2. Dr Sharon Belmo (Best for Pigmentation in Black and Brown Skin)
Dr Sharon Belmo is a consultant dermatologist practising on Harley Street with a strong focus on skin of colour, including melasma and pigmentation that behaves differently in darker skin. She is recognised for her contribution to skin-of-colour education within UK dermatology training. Why consider her:- A dedicated focus on Black and brown skin
- Recognised expertise in how pigmentation presents in darker skin
- A consultant dermatologist on Harley Street
3. Dr Björn Thomas (Best for Conservative, Topical-First Management)
Dr Björn Thomas is a consultant dermatologist at 55 Harley Street who frames melasma as long-term management rather than a quick fix. He leads with combination topicals and photoprotection, and is explicit that he does not treat melasma with peels or lasers at his clinic, on the basis that these can worsen it if chosen or performed poorly. Why consider him:- A deliberately conservative, medical approach to melasma
- A topical-first plan built around sun protection
- An honest stance on the risks of aggressive treatment
4. Dr Sam Bunting (Best for an Evidence-Based, Restrained Approach)
Dr Sam Bunting is a medically trained, evidence-based dermatologist at 41 Harley Street, known for a restrained approach that rarely starts with devices. Her melasma protocol leads with daily broad-spectrum sun protection, pigment-suppressing ingredients, prescription topicals and, where appropriate, oral tranexamic acid, on the basis that aggressive treatments can backfire. Why consider her:- An evidence-based, sunscreen-first philosophy
- A deliberately restrained approach to lasers and peels
- A CQC-registered Harley Street clinic
5. Dr Mohammad Ghazavi (Best for Combination Protocols)
Dr Mohammad Ghazavi is a consultant dermatologist at Skin Horizon Clinic in Maida Vale who offers a full combination approach to melasma: sun protection and topicals first, with carefully chosen chemical peels and, for resistant cases, fractional laser, adjusted to reduce the risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation in skin of colour. Why consider him:- A combination protocol spanning topicals, peels and selective laser
- Pigment-safe peels adjusted for different skin types
- A consultant-reviewed, structured approach
Which Clinic Is Right for You?
There is no single best melasma clinic in London, only the best fit for your skin and preferences:- You want consultant care with strong skin-of-colour expertise: a clinic like Dermasurge.
- You have darker skin and want a pigmentation specialist: Dr Sharon Belmo.
- You want a strictly topical-first, device-free approach: Dr Björn Thomas.
- You want an evidence-based, restrained regimen: Dr Sam Bunting.
- You want a combination plan including cautious peels: Dr Mohammad Ghazavi.