What Pico Lasers Can Do For Your Pigmentation Problems

The quest for beautiful skin is an ongoing journey that many people can relate to, and one of the solutions they turn to is laser treatments to help achieve their skin goals. A common skin problem that is often talked about is pigmentation, which frequently takes the form of age spots, freckles, acne scars, and melasma.

While there are many existing pigmentation removal treatments available today, from topical medications to chemical peels, you might have come across the Pico laser which is gaining popularity in dermatology clinics recently. We discuss more about this laser technology, the types of Pico laser available and which one is suitable to treat your pigmentation woes.

Introduction to Pico lasers

Pico laser or “picosecond laser” is a type of laser technology that works in picoseconds, delivering laser light energy in one trillionth of a second. It is considered to be an improvement on the Q-switched laser which is a nanosecond laser that operates with one billionth of a second pulse duration.

In order to tackle pigmentation, Pico lasers deliver pulses of energy directly to the skin tissue which will then create a “photoacoustic” impact. This causes the pigments to break up and shatter into tiny particles that can be eliminated easily and naturally by the body’s immune system.

Why does the picosecond speed matter

Compared to earlier lasers, having extreme speed for Pico lasers means faster time in releasing light energy that will reduce the risk of damaging surrounding skin tissues.

The ability to limit heat damage precisely to the targeted area leads to efficacy in treating pigmentation with lower chances of developing hyperpigmentation¹. Less heat also means less discomfort.

With an ultra-short pulse duration, Pico lasers get to deliver higher energy laser beams, allowing pigment fragments to be cleared faster and more effectively with fewer treatment sessions. In one study, it was observed that a group of Asian patients had achieved “faster and better clearance rate” when using picosecond lasers for melasma as compared to Q-switched lasers².

More than just a laser for pigmentation

Picosecond lasers excel in removing pigmentation as well as tattoos. But they can also be effective in treating skin texture problems such as wrinkles, acne scars and other types of facial scarring.

The treatment process stimulates elastin and collagen growth in the deeper layers of the skin. As a result, this increases tissue density and elasticity to improve and even out the skin texture, giving a much refreshed and rejuvenated complexion. So if you have more than one skin concern, Pico lasers can intensively target various skin issues in skin tone, textural improvements and more to deliver optimal results.

The different types of Pico lasers

There are a number of Pico laser treatments available, each with varying characteristics and features to suit every individual’s skin needs. Below, we focus on the PicoSure and PicoWay lasers which are FDA-approved for removing pigmentation, acne scars, wrinkles and tattoos.

PicoWay – a dual wavelength picosecond laser

PicoWay is a picosecond laser that boasts non-fractional and fractional modalities, with ultra-short pulses that are 100 times shorter than Q-Switch lasers. It features highly flexible treatment parameters that provide dermatologist with more control (for e.g. wavelength, fluence and repetition rate) for highly customisable treatments.

It comes in 3 different wavelengths – 532nm, 785nm and 1064nm to safely treat patients with the lightest skin tones to the deepest. PicoWay is also effective in treating epidermal pigmentation and dermal pigmentation such as solar lentigines, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma and tattoo pigment. With lesser downtime than conventional lasers, PicoWay has minimal side effects and lower risks of thermal damage.

PicoWay features multiple handpieces to offer more targeted treatment options, such as the PicoWay Resolve which has the configuration to correct ageing skin and improve wrinkle severity. It uses short laser pulses to stimulate natural collagen production by delivering small beamlets beneath the skin’s surface. This leads to a photoacoustic effect which vaporises tiny areas under the skin with a non-thermal effect.

Tiny open spaces created under the skin are filled in over time with new elastin and collagen growth.

PicoSure – a picosecond laser for stubborn pigments

PicoSure is a picosecond laser used in aesthetic dermatology to address a range of concerns, including benign pigmented lesions, acne scars, wrinkles, and tattoo removal. It operates at a 755nm wavelength, which enables treatment of both epidermal and dermal pigmentation with minimal thermal injury. This wavelength is particularly suitable for individuals with darker skin tones, as it carries a lower the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation when compared to shorter wavelengths such as 532nm.

The device also features the PicoSure Boost™ mode, which uses shorter pulse durations—from 750 to 550 picoseconds—for treating tattoos, including resistant ink colours like green and blue. The laser’s adjustable energy settings can magnify the pressure to shatter pigments for optimised removal.

In addition, PicoSure incorporates a patented Focus Lens Array, a diffractive lens handpiece designed to concentrate laser energy into microscopic treatment zones. This stimulates dermal remodelling processes that support the skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin—key components involved in skin texture and tone. Such treatments are commonly considered for concerns related to sun damage, fine lines, acne scars, and stretch marks.

Choosing the right Pico laser for you

Figuring out your choice of laser for pigmentation goes beyond than just considering the brand of the Pico laser. Find out more about the wavelength settings of the Pico laser that will be suitable for you. Different wavelengths are required based on the complexity and size of the treated area to achieve optimal results.

Pico lasers that are carried out in the hands of the right doctor will also make a difference in how effective it can be. Be sure to ask your skin dermatologist about the brand and laser technology employed to treat your skin and how well-versed they are in using the equipment.

At Angeline Yong Dermatology, we utilise both PicoWay and PicoSure laser technologies to treat a wide range of pigment problems as Dr Angeline Yong believes in providing holistic and comprehensive dermatological services with customised treatment plans for every patient.

Dr Yong also carries out other laser treatments using the GentleMax Pro, and the BiAxis Q-switched Nd:Yag laser which helps in treating certain types of epidermal and dermal pigmented lesions. Armed with over 20 years of medical practice, Dr Yong is also a key opinion leader for various aesthetic dermatology products and laser devices. This includes picosecond laser devices like the Picoway and PicoSure lasers.

Reference

Kasai K. Picosecond Laser Treatment for Tattoos and Benign Cutaneous Pigmented Lesions (Secondary publication). Laser Ther. 2017 Dec 31;26(4):274-281. doi: 10.5978/islsm.17-RE-02. PMID: 29434427; PMCID: PMC5801452.

Reference

1. Kasai K. Picosecond Laser Treatment for Tattoos and Benign Cutaneous Pigmented Lesions (Secondary publication). Laser Ther. 2017 Dec 31;26(4):274-281. doi: 10.5978/islsm.17-RE-02. PMID: 29434427; PMCID: PMC5801452.
2. Lee MC, Lin YF, Hu S, Huang YL, Chang SL, Cheng CY, Chang CS. A split-face study: comparison of picosecond alexandrite laser and Q-switched Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of melasma in Asians. Lasers Med Sci. 2018 Nov;33(8):1733-1738. doi: 10.1007/s10103-018-2529-2. Epub 2018 May 7. PMID: 29732522

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What Pico Lasers Can Do For Your Pigmentation Problems