Lentigo & Blemish · Mellow Dermatology (Yeongdeungpo)
A brown spot shaped like a mole —
lentigo or melasma?
Lentigo and blemishes differ from melasma in cause, depth and treatment. We show you how Mellow treats lentigo and blemishes — pinpointing exactly where the pigment lies and selectively clearing melanin without irritation.
Lentigo vs Melasma
They look alike, but
lentigo, blemishes and melasma are different
Both are brown pigment, but if the edges are sharp and it sits like an embedded spot, it may be lentigo or a blemish; if it spreads faintly across a wide area, it may be melasma. Telling them apart is where treatment begins.
Lentigo · Blemish
Lentigo · Blemishes
Sharply defined brown spots that appear embedded like moles. They usually sit in the epidermis and are caused by UV and aging, so they tend to respond well to laser.
Melasma
Melasma
Pigment with blurred edges that spreads wide and symmetrically. It reaches across both the epidermis and dermis and is driven by hormones and UV, so unlike lentigo it must be treated gently at low power over time.
Why It Forms
Why do lentigo and blemishes
form and multiply?
When accumulated UV exposure meets skin aging, melanin builds up in concentrated spots. With age, a lentigo that has once appeared rarely fades and gradually increases.
Cause 01 · UV
Accumulated UV exposure
Years of UV exposure overproduce melanin, leaving brown spots on the face, backs of the hands and arms.
Cause 02 · Aging
Slower skin renewal
As we age, the skin's renewal capacity declines, so a lentigo that has once appeared rarely fades and gradually multiplies.
Cause 03 · Melanin
Localized melanin excess
Melanocytes become activated in localized areas, and sharply defined pigment takes hold.
Treatment Principle
The approach changes
with the depth
The key to treating lentigo is removing melanin “selectively.” We design the wavelength and method differently depending on whether the pigment is shallow or deep, and whether it is raised.
Flat lentigo · blemishes
Flat pigment in the shallow epidermis is selectively broken down by Pico and toning lasers. Damage to surrounding tissue is minimal.
Slightly deeper pigment
Pigment reaching into the upper dermis is approached in stages, adjusting the wavelength to match its depth.
Raised seborrheic keratosis
Seborrheic keratosis that protrudes above the surface is precisely removed by directly ablating it with Erbium and CO2 lasers.
Devices
We choose the wavelength
to match the pigment's depth
Flat lentigo, multiple pigment spots, raised seborrheic keratosis — each lesion calls for a different laser. We combine the role of each device to clear it without irritation.
Pico Plus · 532nm Picosecond
Pico Plus
Epidermal lentigo · blemishesA 532nm picosecond pulse selectively destroys melanin in the epidermal layer, clearing flat lentigo and blemishes without damaging the surrounding tissue.
Clarity II · 755nm Alexandrite
Clarity II
Multiple lesions · upper dermisThe 755nm alexandrite reaches into the upper dermis, evenly clearing multiple lentigines and pigment across broad areas.
Hollywood Spectra · Toning
Hollywood Spectra
Laser toningAfter applying a carbon lotion, laser toning gently clears pigment and evens out the skin tone.
Lotus III · 2940nm Er:YAG
Lotus III
Precise seborrheic keratosis removalThe 2940nm Er:YAG precisely ablates raised seborrheic keratosis from the surface. Smoothing it layer by layer reduces the risk of scarring.
CO2 · 10,600nm Ablative
CO2 Laser
Epidermal lesions · one-dayThe 10,600nm CO2 laser removes thick, raised seborrheic keratosis and epidermal lesions. A one-day procedure that clears them the same day, matched to depth, is possible.
At a Glance
The device lineup at a glance
| Device | Wavelength · method | Typical target |
|---|---|---|
| Pico Plus | 532nm picosecond | Flat lentigo · blemishes |
| Clarity II | 755nm alexandrite | Multiple · upper-dermis lentigo |
| Hollywood Spectra | Laser toning (carbon) | Pigment · skin tone |
| Lotus III | 2940nm Er:YAG | Raised seborrheic keratosis |
| CO2 Laser | 10,600nm ablation | Thick seborrheic keratosis |
※ Treatment effects and responses may vary from person to person, and side effects may occur.
Real Results
Real treatment reviews
Real treatment reviews from patients who improved their lentigo and blemishes at Mellow Dermatology (Yeongdeungpo). Tap a card to read the full review.
Treatment Review
Man in his 60s: lentigo · melasma · blemish treatment review
Treatment Review
Woman in her 50s: lentigo removal review
Treatment Review
Man in his 50s: partial unilateral lentiginosis treatment review
Treatment Review
Woman in her 50s: blemish · lentigo laser toning review
Treatment Review
Woman in her 40s: under-eye · eyelid blemish removal review
Treatment Review
In their 60s: lentigo · brown spot one-day pigment review
Expert Care
Pigment isn't about erasing —
it's about “slow and safe”
Dr. Kwon Hyung-il, Director · Dermatology Specialist
Trying to remove a pigmented lesion all at once with high intensity can instead irritate the melanocytes and leave behind yet another patch of pigmentation.
Even if it is slower, clearing it thoroughly and safely while minimizing side effects is the heart of treating lentigo and blemishes. Instead of self-diagnosis or excessive intensity, the depth and wavelength should be matched through a specialist's diagnosis.
★ Mellow's principles for treating lentigo · blemishes
- Design the wavelength by depth after differentiating lentigo, blemishes and melasma
- Divide the treatment gently rather than one strong session
- UV and brightening care after the procedure to prevent pigmentation
Before & After Care
The harder you try to erase pigment,
the darker it can become
Removing a pigmented lesion all at once with high intensity can actually trigger irritant hyperpigmentation. Treat it safely in divided sessions, even if slower, and because UV is the biggest cause of recurrence after a procedure, avoid the sun for at least 1–2 weeks, use sunscreen consistently, and take care to keep the skin moisturized.
First, find out whether your brown spot
is a lentigo or melasma
From lentigo and blemishes to seborrheic keratosis, find the pigment treatment that's right for you with the differential diagnosis at Mellow Dermatology (Yeongdeungpo).
See treatment reviews →Equipment
이 진료에 함께 쓰는 장비
피코플러스
피코플러스는 picosecond 단위의 짧은 pulse로 기미·잡티·문신 3가지 색소 고민(pigment concern)을 세분해 치료합니다. 색소의 종류와 깊이에 따라 파장·에너지·횟수가 달라지며, 기미는 과도한 자극 시 악화될 수 있어 감별이 우선입니다.
클라리티2
클라리티2는 755nm와 1064nm, 2개 파장(wavelength)을 피부톤과 모발 굵기에 따라 선택합니다. 피부톤·모발 굵기·치료 목적에 따라 파장과 에너지를 선택하며, 반복 횟수와 자극 반응은 개인별로 다릅니다.
헐리우드스펙트라
헐리우드 스펙트라는 1064nm laser를 중심으로 낮은 energy를 여러 회차에 나눠 Step-by-Step으로 적용합니다. 기미·잡티의 깊이와 피부 반응에 따라 에너지와 간격을 조절하며, 반복 횟수와 변화 속도에는 개인차가 있습니다.
로터스3
로터스3는 2940nm Er:YAG로 병변 깊이를 조절하며, 딱지·붉음·색소침착 3가지 회복 항목(recovery point)을 함께 확인합니다. 병변의 깊이와 부위에 따라 딱지·붉음·색소침착 위험과 회복 기간이 달라져 진단 후 범위를 정합니다.
CO2 레이저
CO₂ 레이저는 10,600nm 파장으로 점·쥐젖·사마귀 3가지 대표 병변을 제거할 때 깊이를 1:1로 조절합니다. 병변 진단이 먼저이며, 깊이에 따라 딱지·붉음·흉터·색소침착 가능성과 재생 관리가 달라집니다.
