Best Clinic UK - Aesthetics Awards 2024
& Aesthetic Medicine Awards 2024
Dermatology
Melanin is the natural pigment that gives your skin its unique colour (skin pigmentation).
Get in touchWe have invited only the very best consultants to practice at our specialist clinic.
Our state-of the-art award winning facilities are located right in the heart of London.
Best Clinic Aesthetics Awards 2024
We were awarded Best Clinic London at the industry-leading 2024 Aesthetics Awards.
CQC ‘Outstanding’ Leadership
Our Leadership is rated ‘Outstanding’ by the independent healthcare regulator in England.
20 Years of Medical Distinction
We’re now entering our third decade at the top of our field, with over 100 of the country’s best consultants under our roof.
96% Customer Excellence Rating
We support 30,000 patient appointments each year, 96% of which were rated 5*.
Medically Reviewed March 2024, by Dr. Susan Mayou (GMC: 2405092) - founder of the Cadogan Clinic and one of the world's leading dermatologists
Melanin is the natural pigment that gives your skin its unique colour (skin pigmentation).
However, the levels of melanin produced by the body can change, causing a change in skin colour. These changes can broken down into three different types; Hyperpigmentation (skin becomes darker) and Hypopigmentation (skin becomes lighter) and depigmentation (loss of pigment).
Sometimes Pigmentation can be very noticeable and cause a person a great deal of distress or embarrassment. At the Cadogan Clinic, our specialist dermatologists can offer a range of treatments and solutions for Pigmentation concerns.
Melasma
This is a common condition in adults, which results in the appearance of symmetrical brown or grey patches on the skin on the face, including on the cheeks, chin, forehead, upper lip and nose. It may also affect other areas of skin that are routinely exposed to the sun, including the neck and forearms. The affected skin is not itchy or painful. The patches will appear in the same shape and size on both sides of the affected area.
Melasma is more common in women than in men and is particularly common in pregnancy, when up to 50 percent of women may be affected by Melasma. For this reason, this particular condition is colloquially known as ‘pregnancy mask’. It is more common in people of colour, but can happen to anyone.
Melasma is caused by the over-production of melanin, but several factors can contribute to developing Melasma, including pregnancy and the use of hormonal drugs, for example, HRT or the contraceptive pill. Other contributing factors include thyroid problems, taking certain medications, including anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun or tanning beds, and exposure to excessive heat.
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a long-term medical condition that causes pale white patches to appear on the skin, mainly on the face, hands and neck, but vitiligo can also affect the mouth, fingers, armpits genitals, groin and inside the mouth. Sometimes it can also affect occur on the scalp, or another part of the body with hair follicles, turning hair in the affected area white or grey as a result. Patches of skin affected by Vitiligo are more susceptible to sunburn. Although the condition does not cause pain or discomfort, some people find the white patches can feel itchy. The white patches caused by Vitiligo are usually permanent.
There are two main types of Vitiligo, Non-Segmental Vitiligo and segmental Vitiligo. Non-Segmental Vitiligo is the most common type of Vitiligo, affecting nine 9 out of the 10 people who have the condition. Also known as bilateral or generalised vitiligo, the symptoms appear on both sides of the body as symmetrical white patches. In contrast, Segmental Vitiligo only affects one area of the body. Segmental Vitiligo is sometimes called localised or unilateral Vitiligo.
Non-Segmental Vitiligo is thought to be an autoimmune condition that occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the melanocyte skin cells that make melanin, which gives the skin its pigmentation. Risk factors for Non-Segmental Vitiligo include a family history of the condition, the existence of another autoimmune condition, Melanoma, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma or certain gene changes which are associated with the condition.
Segmental Vitiligo is believed to be caused by neurochemicals released from the nerve endings that are poisonous to the melanocyte skin cells.
In rare cases, it's possible for Vitiligo to affect your whole body. This is known as universal or complete Vitiligo.
Lentigines (Solar lentigo)
Also known as age spots or liver spots, Lentigines are flat, brown lesions with well-defined edges that are caused by sun damage. Measuring between five and 20 mm, these spots are commonly found on areas of skin that have been regularly exposed to the sun, such as the shoulders and forearms. Sometimes smaller Lentigines can merge together to form larger spots. They vary in colour from yellow-brown to black. Although Solar Lentigo is caused by sun exposure, these lesions are benign. They are common in adults aged over 50, but are often seen in young people who have spent a lot of time in the sun.
You are at a higher risk of developing age spots if you have fair skin or a history of intense sun exposure or sunburn.
Freckles
Freckles are small brown spots that appear on areas of skin that have been exposed to the sun, such as the nose and cheeks. They are trigged by exposure to ultraviolet light and are a result of an over-production of melanin. Solar Lentigines are a type of Freckle, but Ephelides are what most people would think of as a ‘traditional’ freckle.
Freckles are more common in people with lighter skin and hair colour. Freckles generally appear at around two or three years old, although you may continue to get new Freckles into your 20s, and they usually fade with age. In contrast, Solar Lentigines don’t appear until later in life, usually after the age of 40. To prevent Freckles you should stay out of the sun and avoid using sunbeds. If you have to go out in the sun, make sure you use a water-resistant sun cream with an SPF of 30 or above.
Freckles are non-cancerous but can be confused with skin cancer. You should see a doctor without delay if your Freckles have jagged borders, start to grow or change colour, are sore, are asymmetrical, become raised, are multiple colours or have a diameter of more than six millimetres.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) is skin discolouration left behind after a wound heals. This may be caused by Acne, sunburn, Eczema or skin trauma. PIH is a flat area of discolouration and can present as red, pink, white, brown, purple or black spots, depending on a person’s skin tone and the depth of the discolouration. Although PIH can develop in all skin tones, it is generally more severe and long-lasting in people with a medium to dark skin tone.
PIH is very common in people who suffer with Acne. Even the smallest spots or blemishes can leave behind these scars. Squeezing or popping spots can increase the chance of PIH because it increases inflammation.
Words from our clients:
"The girls on the reception at the clinic were very pleasant and professional. The nurse who took out my stitches after my surgery was just lovely and took me through step by step what she was doing and she also recommended a great cream to use to help with healing."Georgina Nolan
“I was treated with care and provided with thorough knowledge about the procedure I was undertaking. My surgeon was very methodical (a perfectionist) and I felt I received A class treatment."Courtney O'Sullivan
"There is nothing that I feel could be improved at Cadogan Clinic. I was treated and looked after very well the place was very clean. Perfect. Thank you."Emma Grant
"The treatment was for my daughter and the aesthetic practitioner couldn't have been more helpful and informative all through the course of treatment, it was a great treatment with a brilliant outcome. The whole experience was very professional and any worries we went in with were soon taken away after the team greeted us and treated us."Jessica Yates
"Reception staff very welcoming and efficient. Both nurses who I dealt with were fantastic, and the whole team (anaesthetist, surgeon etc) were friendly but professional, and really put my mind at ease. That I was able to stay later than I perhaps needed after my surgery to fit in with my husbands schedule was greatly appreciated."Emma Davies
We successfully treat hundreds of Pigmentation cases each year
Our team of ten highly experienced specialist dermatologists have been handpicked to form one of the best independent dermatology units in the country
Our Pigmentation specialists have the highest levels of training and qualifications
We work with major bodies and organisations to ensure standards are maintained. These include The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), Royal College of Surgeons (RCS), Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the General Medical Council (GMC)
Our purpose-built dermatology clinic is conveniently located off Sloane Square, Chelsea
Melasma treatment
There is currently no cure for Melasma, although there are a number of treatments available to help to reduce the appearance.
You may be prescribed a skin lightening cream called Hydroquinone, that prevents pigment cells in the skin from producing melanin. However, this can only be used for a short period of time as it can cause an over-lightening of the skin and skin irritation.
Retinoid creams and some types of acid cream can also help improve the appearance of Melasma but may also result in skin irritation for some people. Sometimes these remedies can be mixed with steroid creams to reduce the likelihood of skin irritation. Microneedling, which involves the skin being repeatedly punctured by a series of tiny needles, may help these skin creams to penetrate deeper into the affected areas of skin.
Alternatively, your dermatologist may recommend a chemical peel, which works by removing the outermost skin cells that contain the pigment. This layer of skin can also be removed by laser therapy. Other types of laser therapy work to target the cells responsible for producing this excess pigment.
It is advisable to avoid anything which triggers your Melasma and to always take adequate protection when going out in the sun, including wearing a wide-brimmed hat and suncream with an SPF of 30 or above, with a high UVA rating.
If Melasma appears in pregnancy, you may find that the darkened areas of skin return to their normal colour a few months after childbirth.
Vitiligo
Although the white patches associated with Vitiligo are permanent, there are treatments available that can reduce their appearance.
A dermatologist may prescribe steroid creams which can be applied to the affected areas of skin in order to restore some pigment. However, using steroid cream over a long period of time can cause skin thinning, so can’t be used as a long-term treatment. Alternatively, light therapy, also known as phototherapy, delivers a carefully measured dose of ultraviolet light to help restore colour to the affected area of skin. However, the effect is only temporary and ongoing treatment would be required. Treatment cannot stop Vitiligo from spreading to other areas of the body.
Lentigines (Solar lentigo)
This pigment is located at the base of the epidermis (the top layer of skin) so any age spot treatment must be able to penetrate this layer of skin. Liver spot treatment includes skin lightening creams (Hydroquinone and Retinol), laser therapy, cryotherapy, or a chemical peel to remove the top layer of skin, with new smoother skin forming in its place. Some of these may take more than one treatment to produce the desired result.
Another treatment that may be used to remove age spots is Dermabrasion, which uses a rapidly rotating brush to exfoliate the affected area of skin, removing the top layer and allowing fresh new skin to grow in its place. However, this treatment can cause temporary redness or pinkness, swelling and scabbing, which may take time to fade. Microdermabrasion is a gentler alternative to Dermabrasion.
Freckles
As mentioned above, Freckles often fade with age. However, if you find your Freckles unsightly, there are treatments available, including laser treatments, cryotherapy, chemical peels and creams like retinol. The treatment will depend on the individual and the location and severity of the freckles.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) can fade over time, but it can take anywhere between 3 or 24 months for this discolouration to disappear completely, sometimes even longer. Sometimes this discolouration is permanent. For this reason, many people choose to have treatment to get rid of, or reduce the appearance of, PIH.
Treatment for PIH can take several forms. Depending on the severity of the PIH and your skin tone, the dermatologist may recommend applying Hydroquinone. This should only be applied directly to the darkened areas of skin, otherwise this may lighten your natural skin colour. It can also cause skin irritation in some people. Topical Retinoids, acid creams, chemical peels, laser treatments, Microneedling and Microdermabrasion may also be used. However, one treatment session alone is unlikely to be enough to have an impact on Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation. Several sessions will be required, spaced two to four weeks apart. Our expert dermatologist will be able to determine which treatment is right for you and how many treatment sessions you would need.
You will meet with one of our highly trained dermatologists at the Cadogan Clinic on Sloane Street, Chelsea for an in-person assessment of your skin.
Your consultant will discuss the following with you at this consultation:
3 Easy Steps
Cadogan Clinic. A strong tradition of innovation
Founded in 2004 by world renown dermatologist Dr Susan Mayou, we now work with over 100 leading consultants and successfully treat over 20,000 patients each year. We have been winning industry awards since inception.
Get in touchWe have invited a selection of the country's very best consultants to join us at the Cadogan Clinic so that you can be sure that whatever the nature of your treatment, you will be seeing one of the top practitioners in the country.
Dr. Andreea Anton
Dr. Meena Arunachalam
Dr Aveen Connolly
Dr. Roberto Corso
Dr. Karishma Hemmady
Dr. Wisam Alwan
Dr Maham Khan
Dr Soudeh Mashayekhi
Dr. Susan Mayou
Dr. Sophie Momen
Dr. Alexandra Paolino
Dr. Ravi Ramessur
Dr. Amélie Seghers
Dr Kristina Semkova
Dr. Nisith Sheth
The Cadogan Clinic is based at 120 Sloane Street in Chelsea, just off Sloane Square and the Kings Road.
We are accessible by all major bus routes that pass through Sloane Square and Sloane Street, as well as Sloane Square tube station.
We are just a 5 minute walk northwards up Sloane Street once you have arrived at Sloane Square.
Local pay parking is available just around the corner from the Clinic on Cadogan Gate, Cadogan Square and Cadogan Gardens. Our local residential parking zone is the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.
Address: 120 Sloane Street, Chelsea, London, SW1X 9BW
Dermatology
We believe in the delivery of excellent outcomes and results, and exceptional levels of service. Our outcomes are natural and long-lasting, and we remain the premier choice for cosmetic surgery treatments in the UK.
Dermatology
Acne Treatments
Dermatology
Hair Loss Treatment
Dermatology
Milia Removal
Dermatology
Paediatric Dermatology
Dermatology
Psoriasis
Dermatology
Rosacea
Dermatology
Bacterial Skin Infections
Dermatology
Dermatitis
Dermatology
Eczema
Dermatology
Excess Hair Growth
2024
Aesthetic Medicine 2024
UK Clinic of the Year
2024
Aesthetic Awards
Best Clinic, London
2024
Aesthetic Medicine
Best Clinic, London
2023
Aesthetic Awards
Highly Commended
2021
Aesthetic Awards
Highly Commended
2021
MyFaceMyBody
Best Plastic Surgery Clinic, UK
2020
MyFaceMyBody Awards
Best Plastic Surgery Clinic, UK
2019
MyFaceMyBody Awards
Best Plastic Surgery Clinic, UK