Treatment guide
Pigmentation laser in Seoul: melasma, spots, devices, sessions and what fits in one trip
How LIV Plastic Surgery in Sinsa, Seoul treats melasma, spots, freckles and age spots — the three-stage system and the lasers it uses, sessions and intervals by severity, published prices, sun care afterwards, and an honest look at how much of a multi-session program fits into a short visit.
Updated 2026-11-10 · 8 min read · Written by LIV Plastic Surgery
Laser treatment for dark spots and melasma is high on many visitors' lists for Seoul, and it is also the treatment most likely to be misunderstood before a trip: pigmentation is usually treated over several sessions spaced weeks apart, not in a single afternoon. This guide lays out what LIV Plastic Surgery publishes about its laser pigmentation care — the types of pigment it treats, the devices, the session counts and intervals, the prices that are listed, and the sun care that follows — so you can decide what is realistic for the days you have. LIV is a non-surgical anti-aging clinic in Gangnam, one minute from Sinsa Station, and international patients pay from the same price list as Korean patients.
Which kinds of pigmentation the clinic treats
The clinic's pigmentation page covers melasma, blemishes and spots, freckles and age spots. It describes the treatment as suited to people who:
- have melasma that is getting darker and wider
- have had multiple toning sessions without results
- are concerned about many spots and freckles
- are starting to develop age spots
- have a dull and uneven skin tone
- want consistent care without downtime
Different pigment sits at different depths and behaves differently, which is why the type is diagnosed in person before a device is chosen. Photos sent ahead help the clinic give you a first estimate, but the plan is set at the consultation with the surgeon.
The three-stage system and the devices
LIV describes its approach as a three-stage pigmentation system, moving from intensive treatment to maintenance. Device names are given as the clinic writes them.
| Stage | Purpose | Device | What the clinic says it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Intensive treatment | Lucas Pico | Deep pigment breakdown with a picosecond pulse |
| Stage 2 | Precision targeting | Clarity II 755nm | Precise treatment of shallow pigment with the alexandrite wavelength |
| Stage 3 | Maintenance | Toning + Ulblanc | Gentle repeated treatment to maintain the effect and help prevent recurrence |
On the question many people ask — pico laser or toning? — the clinic's answer is that it depends on the goal. Stubborn melasma or deep pigmentation calls for intensive pico laser treatment, while mild pigmentation or maintenance suits toning; often a combination of pico treatment followed by toning maintenance is used. The page explains the picosecond pulse as 1,000 times faster than a nanosecond laser, breaking pigment into finer particles.
Sessions and intervals by severity
This is the table to read before you book flights. These are the clinic's published protocols; your own plan is decided at the consultation.
| Severity | Typical concern | Treatment | Sessions | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild | Light melasma, spots | Laser Toning | 5–10 sessions | 2 weeks |
| Moderate | Medium-depth pigmentation | Clarity II 755nm | 3–5 sessions | 3–4 weeks |
| Severe / stubborn | Deep, stubborn melasma | Lucas Pico + Toning | 5–10 sessions | 2–4 weeks |
For laser toning specifically, the clinic recommends ten or more cumulative sessions and says the effect is usually felt from the third or fourth session.
Time, anesthesia and downtime by device
| Device | Treatment time | Anesthesia | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laser Toning | 5–15 minutes | None | None; back to daily life immediately |
| Ulblanc | 15–20 minutes | None | None; back to daily life immediately |
| Clarity II | 15–30 minutes | None (cryogen cooling to minimise discomfort) | 3–5 days; fine scabs possible on pigmented areas |
| Lucas laser | 20–40 minutes | Topical anesthetic cream (optional) | 3–7 days; fine scabs possible |
After surface pigment is treated with Clarity II, the pigment may look darker or thin scabs may form for about 3–5 days before coming away naturally. If your trip includes photos or events, plan those days accordingly.
Published prices (2026)
Prices on the pigmentation page are per session. Item names appear as on the clinic's list.
| Item | Basis | Price (per session) |
|---|---|---|
| Dual Toning Laser (Clarity + Lucas) — melasma / blemishes / pores / acne scars | Single session | KRW 150,000~ |
| Potenza | Pumping Tip | KRW 200,000~ |
| CO2 Laser — moles / flat warts / age spots, etc. | Diameter ≤ 3 mm (1 spot) | KRW 10,000~ |
| CO2 Laser | 3 mm < diameter ≤ 5 mm (1 spot) | KRW 30,000~ |
| CO2 Laser | Diameter > 5 mm (1 spot) | KRW 50,000~ |
| CO2 Laser | Full face (50+ spots) | KRW 500,000~ |
| CO2 Laser | Full neck (50+ spots) | KRW 500,000~ |
International patients are charged from the same list as Korean patients, and there is no fee for interpretation. Treatments not shown above are quoted at the consultation.
Sun care and aftercare
Sun protection is the part of pigmentation treatment that happens after you leave the clinic, and the clinic treats it as essential:
- Skin is more sensitive after laser treatment, and the risk of pigmentation from UV exposure increases.
- For at least 2–4 weeks, apply sunscreen (SPF 50+) thoroughly and use a hat or a parasol.
- The clinic advises avoiding laser treatment during seasons when you will be outdoors a lot. If your Seoul trip is followed directly by a beach holiday or a ski trip, say so at the consultation.
- Temporary post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) can occur after laser. The clinic states that it improves naturally within 2–4 weeks and that thorough sun protection helps prevent it.
You receive a written aftercare guide in English, and after you return home the clinic can review photos sent by messenger or chat.
What is realistic in one short trip
The honest point: the published programs run from 3 to 10 sessions at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks. A visit of a few days covers one session of such a program, not the program.
- One session on this trip. You can have a consultation and, in most cases, a session on the same day. Think of it as the first step of a plan, and ask the surgeon what to expect from a single session for your type of pigment.
- Repeat visits. If you travel to Seoul every few weeks or months, sessions can be spaced to the intervals above. Tell the clinic your travel pattern in your first message.
- A longer stay. A stay of a month or more allows more than one session at the 2-week or 3–4 week intervals.
- Melasma is managed, not cured. The clinic says melasma should be approached as management rather than cure: intensive treatment first, then regular maintenance and sun protection to minimise recurrence. That is hard to complete in one trip, and it is better to know this before you book.
If a single visit is all you have, the surgeon may suggest a different plan at the consultation. For timing around flights, see downtime and flight planning.
Booking, consultation fee and payment
No agency is needed and there is no deposit to reserve a consultation; enquiries are answered within one business day. Step-by-step booking is covered in how to book a Seoul clinic as a foreigner.
- Contact: WhatsApp (+82 10-6888-2773), the live chat on this site, or the contact form.
- Consultation fee: KRW 10,000 for the 1:1 consultation with the board-certified plastic surgeon, fully deducted from the treatment cost if you have treatment the same day.
- Language: English, Japanese and Chinese; interpretation arranged free of charge on request.
- Clinic hours: Monday to Friday 10:00–19:00, Saturday 10:00–16:00, closed on Sunday (Korea time).
- Getting there: Sinsa Station (Line 3), Exit 4 — a 1-minute walk. See location.
- Payment: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, UnionPay and Korean won in cash.
Treatment is planned under Dr. Sooyoung Kim, a board-certified plastic surgeon and a member of the Korean Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery; see our medical team.
Before you book
The device, the number of sessions and the final price are decided at your consultation with the surgeon; the figures above are what the clinic publishes, so you can plan honestly around your dates. See the laser page and the pricing page, then send your questions through the international patients page or the contact form.
Frequently asked questions
Can melasma be completely cured with laser?
The clinic's answer is that melasma should be approached as management rather than cure. After improvement with intensive treatment, regular maintenance and sun protection are used to minimise recurrence, and LIV's three-stage system includes both treatment and maintenance.
How many sessions does pigmentation laser take?
By the clinic's published protocols: 5–10 sessions of laser toning at 2-week intervals for mild pigmentation, 3–5 sessions of Clarity II 755nm at 3–4 week intervals for moderate pigmentation, and 5–10 sessions of Lucas Pico plus toning at 2–4 week intervals for deep or stubborn melasma. Your own number is set at the consultation.
Can pigmentation get darker after laser?
Temporary post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) can occur. The clinic states that it improves naturally within 2–4 weeks and can be prevented with thorough sun protection, and it gives aftercare guidance after treatment.
How much does pigmentation laser cost in Seoul?
At LIV, a single session of Dual Toning Laser (Clarity + Lucas) is listed from KRW 150,000, and CO2 laser for moles and age spots from KRW 10,000 per spot of 3 mm or less. Prices are per session, exclude VAT, and are the same for international patients.
Can I have pigmentation laser while pregnant?
No. The clinic does not recommend laser treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding and advises treatment after both are complete. During pregnancy it suggests focusing on sun protection and moisturising.
This guide is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Suitability and the final plan are decided at your in-person consultation. Prices are per session, exclude VAT, and are confirmed after consultation.