How This Elite NYC Plastic Surgeon Treated Her Own Pigmentation

May 26 | 5 minute read

Words by Christie Sinclair

Even top plastic surgeons struggle with skin concerns! Dr. Lara Devgan chats to The MECCA Memo about the emotional toll of melasma, the science behind her celebrity-loved formulas and why the best results come with patience.

As a plastic surgeon, Dr. Lara Devgan has always known the powerful connection between how we look and how we feel. But it wasn’t until she developed melasma herself (dark patches that appeared along her upper lip and cheeks after pregnancy) that she truly understood how persistent and emotional pigmentation can be.

“Pigmentation is notoriously stubborn – it tends to recur and often lives deep within the skin,” she explains. “And not all types behave the same: melasma, for example, is highly reactive to heat and light, while post-acne marks can take months to fade. Many at-home treatments fall short – they're either too mild to make a difference or too harsh, which can actually make things worse.” It means, real results take strategy, patience and a layered approach.

For Dr. Lara, that approach started with the products she created in her eponymous skincare line. “Over time, I noticed a recurring theme – patients weren’t just seeking change in the operating room; they wanted effective, everyday ways to care for their skin,” she says. “That’s what inspired me to create medical-grade skincare, products that marry clinical results with a sense of elegance.”

To tackle her own pigmentation, Dr. Lara turned to her brand’s bestselling Vitamin CBE Ferulic Serum, a high-potency antioxidant treatment containing 25% L-ascorbic acid (one of the most effective ingredients for brightening), stabilised with ferulic acid and boosted by soothing niacinamide and vitamin E. “Think of powerful antioxidant serums as your first line of defense,” Dr. Lara explains. “It neutralises free radicals before they can trigger excess melanin.” This one works to visibly brighten, even tone and firm the skin, all while layering effortlessly under makeup or other active ingredients.

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At night, she used her Intensive Pigment Corrector [editor’s note: coming soon to MECCA] – a best-in-class treatment that includes six of Dr. Lara’s favourite ingredients to reduce the appearance of pigmentation: tranexamic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, alpha arbutin, ergothioneine and vitamin C. Next, she layered over her Retinol + Bakuchiol Serum. “That last step was a game-changer,” Dr. Lara notes. It delivers the power of retinol and retinaldehyde with the calming benefits of bakuchiol, so you get results without the usual flaking or irritation.” While the results didn’t happen overnight, they were real, and lasting.

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Her personal experience became a driving force for the way she formulates. “Results shouldn’t come at the expense of your skin barrier,” she says. “My goal was to create products that truly deliver – visible results, without irritation.” Add to that a luxurious experience and it’s no wonder she’s gained a cult following, counting the likes of Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Aniston and Bella Hadid among her A-list fans.

Above all, Dr. Lara believes a consistent routine is crucial if you want to improve pigmentation. And always wear SPF! “For patients ready to go further, we might explore peels, microneedling or lasers.” But the foundation is always the same: thoughtful, strategic skincare, everyday. Dr. Lara’s own luminous complexion stands as the ultimate endorsement of this philosophy.

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Upon reflecting on the thousands of patients she’s treated at her NYC clinic, one transformation stands out in particular. “One young woman came to me after struggling for years with acne and scarring, which had left behind deep hyperpigmentation along her cheeks and jawline,” she recalls. “We took a comprehensive approach: medical-grade skincare, including my Vitamin CBE Ferulic Serum, Retinol + Bakuchiol Serum and Intensive Pigment Corrector, paired with microneedling and laser support.” Over six months, her skin visibly transformed, but what moved Dr. Lara most wasn’t just the change in her complexion, it was the return of her confidence. “That’s the true power of skincare: not just improving how you look, but how you feel in your own skin.”