Dermatologist-led · Specialists in skin of colour
Consultations
A thorough, considered first step: understanding your skin, your history and your goals before any recommendation is ever made.
Every skin tells a different story. Ours begins with listening.
Dr MélaninYour first visit
Where every journey begins
A consultation at Dr Mélanin is far more than a brief conversation before treatment. It is a thorough, considered process designed to truly understand your skin, your history and your goals, before any recommendation is ever made.
Every client’s skin tells a different story, shaped by genetics, heritage, lifestyle and environment. Our role is to listen carefully, examine thoroughly, and translate what we find into a plan that is genuinely right for you.
The essentials
Consultations at a glance
Medical & aesthetic history
We begin by exploring your concerns in detail, alongside a full review of your medical and aesthetic history, to make the right diagnosis and ensure there are no reasons to delay treatment.
Skincare routine & lifestyle
We assess your current routine and its suitability for your skin and future treatments, suggest helpful lifestyle adjustments and give tailored skincare recommendations.
In-depth skin examination
A comprehensive examination, including assessment under UV light, reveals your true skin type and any underlying pigment concerns not visible to the naked eye.
Skin anatomy & physiology
We explain how your skin is structured and behaves, with particular attention to heritage, natural adaptations and how the environment shapes skin of colour.
Options & recommendations
We talk you through our findings and recommend the treatments and changes best suited to your concerns, with our professional opinion and any alternatives worth considering.
Yours to keep
You leave with a detailed consultation summary, relevant leaflets, tailored skincare recommendations and product samples to trial at home.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions
Please reach out to us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
01What happens during a consultation?
We begin by discussing your concerns in detail, followed by a full review of your medical and aesthetic history to check for any contraindications. We then assess your current skincare and examine your skin thoroughly, including under UV light, to understand your true skin type and any underlying pigmentary concerns.
We talk you through our findings, recommend a tailored plan, and provide a written summary, leaflets, skincare advice and samples to take home.
02Why do you examine the skin under UV light?
UV examination allows us to see beneath the surface of the skin, revealing pigmentary changes, oil and hydration patterns, and other concerns that aren’t always visible in normal light. This is particularly valuable in skin of colour, where pigmentation can sit at different depths and may not be obvious on visual examination alone.
It helps us understand the true nature of your concerns and build a more accurate, effective treatment plan.
03Why is understanding my heritage relevant to my consultation?
Skin of colour is not one single category. Heritage can influence skin structure, oil production, healing response and how skin ages, scars or pigments.
Understanding your individual background allows us to apply a more nuanced, medically accurate approach, rather than a generic one, ensuring the advice and treatments we recommend are genuinely suited to your skin.
04Do I need a consultation before every treatment?
Yes, an initial consultation is required before starting any treatment with us, as it allows us to properly assess your skin and build a safe, bespoke plan. Ongoing reviews may also be recommended throughout your treatment journey, to monitor progress and adjust your plan as your skin responds.
05Will I receive anything to take home after my consultation?
Yes. You’ll leave with a detailed written summary of everything discussed, including our clinical findings and agreed next steps, along with relevant leaflets, tailored skincare recommendations, and product samples to trial at home.
06Do you make lifestyle recommendations as part of a consultation?
Yes. Many skin concerns are influenced by everyday habits, from hydration and skincare routines to hair removal methods and diet. Where relevant, we’ll discuss simple, practical adjustments that can meaningfully support your results alongside any treatments we recommend.
07What is the investment for a consultation?
Cosmetic consultations require a £50 deposit, fully redeemable against any non-prescription skin treatment (excluding skin reviews and products). Medical consultations are £100, which includes this £50 deposit.
08Will I need to start treatment straight away?
Not at all. Some clients begin treatment shortly after their consultation, while others, particularly those with sensitive or reactive skin, may need a period of skincare preparation first to settle the skin barrier before any treatment begins.
We’ll always recommend what’s genuinely right for your skin, even if that means waiting.
Disclaimer
Your results, side effects, treatment plans, downtime and recovery may vary, as all our clients are unique. The information provided on this page is based on the average client experience. If you would like more detail about how your experience may differ, please book an in-person consultation.