Pico Laser (Picosecond Laser)

Pico Laser is a laser that delivers energy in ultra-short picosecond pulses (one-trillionth of a second) to target pigment precisely — melasma, freckles, dark spots, post-acne marks, and enlarged pores — while helping the skin look brighter and more even. Several programs are available to match different skin concerns, with little downtime. Results vary by individual.

What is Pico Laser?

Pico Laser is a newer-generation laser that releases very short pulses on the picosecond scale, unlike earlier lasers such as Q-Switched that work on the nanosecond scale. Because the pulse is shorter, the energy acts on pigment more through a vibration (photoacoustic) effect than through heat. This helps break pigment into smaller particles that the body can clear, while reducing heat build-up in the surrounding skin.

What can Pico Laser help with?

Pico Laser can address both pigment concerns and overall skin condition. Your doctor selects the program and energy level to suit each person’s concern:

• Caring for melasma and freckles — helps pigment look lighter and keeps it from becoming darker
• Dark spots and post-acne marks — helps marks look fainter and skin tone more even
• Dull, uneven skin tone — gently helps the skin look brighter
• Enlarged pores and uneven texture — Fractional mode helps stimulate the skin to look smoother
• Redness and acne marks — a dedicated mode helps reduce redness and condition the skin after acne
• Tattoos — helps the tattoo’s pigment break down and gradually fade, usually requiring several sessions

Which areas can Pico Laser treat?

Pico Laser can be used on many areas depending on each person’s pigment concerns and skin condition. Your doctor assesses and adjusts the mode to suit the skin in each spot:

• Face — the most commonly treated area, for melasma, freckles, dark spots, acne marks, pores, and brightening
• Around the eyes and cheekbones — areas where melasma and freckles often appear; your doctor chooses energy that is gentle on thin skin
• Neck and body — for dark spots or dullness over larger areas
• Hands and arms — for sun spots and sun-induced freckles
• Areas with tattoos — to help the tattoo’s pigment fade over a series of sessions

What Pico Laser programs are available at Onnyx Clinic?

We offer several programs to cover a wide range of skin concerns. Your doctor selects the most suitable program after analyzing each person’s skin:

How does Pico Laser work?

Pico Laser releases very short pulses on the picosecond scale, so the energy reaches pigment in the form of a mechanical vibration (the photoacoustic effect), breaking the pigment into tiny particles that the body gradually clears on its own. The short pulse helps reduce heat build-up in the surrounding skin, making it a gentler option for caring for pigment. Your doctor adjusts the energy level to suit the type of concern and the condition of the skin.

Pico Laser can operate at several wavelengths, which your doctor selects to match the type and depth of the pigment:

• 532 nm — suited to superficial, warm-toned pigment, such as dark spots, freckles, and red/orange tattoo ink
• 755 nm — suited to deeper pigment and to brightening the skin
• 1064 nm — suited to deep pigment and darker skin, such as deep melasma, dark marks, and dark tattoo ink

How does Pico Laser care for melasma?

Melasma is a pigment concern that arises from several factors together — hormones, sun exposure, and genetics — so it is a condition that needs to be gradually lightened and continuously managed rather than expected to clear in a single session. Pico Laser’s Melasma mode helps pigment look gently lighter, but it must be paired with strict sun protection — daily sunscreen — and skin care as advised by your doctor, to help results look better and reduce the chance of melasma darkening again.

How does Pico Laser care for dark spots and acne marks?

Dark spots, freckles, and post-acne marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) come from pigment that has built up in the skin. Pico Laser helps this pigment break down and gradually fade, so skin tone looks more even. Superficial marks often show change faster than deep or long-standing ones, while acne scars can be addressed with Fractional mode as well, to help the skin look smoother. Results depend on the type of mark and each individual’s response.

How many Pico Laser sessions until you see results?

Most pigment concerns need to be treated as an ongoing course; the skin gradually looks brighter and more even with each session. The number of sessions depends on the type and depth of the concern, as well as each individual’s response. The table below is an approximate guide; your doctor will assess and plan a personalized course on the consultation day:

In general, your doctor schedules sessions about 2–4 weeks apart so the skin can recover between rounds. Results vary by individual.

Does Pico Laser hurt?

Pico Laser involves a low to moderate sensation during treatment. Many people describe it as a light rubber-band snap or a warm feeling in the treated area. The level of sensation depends on the program, the energy level, and the area treated. For delicate skin or a mode that goes deeper, your doctor may consider applying numbing cream beforehand for more comfort. In general, you can return to normal life right after, with little downtime.

The Pico Laser process at Onnyx Clinic

1. Consultation and skin analysis — your doctor assesses the type and depth of the pigment concern
2. Designing the treatment — selecting the program and adjusting the energy level to suit each person’s skin
3. Performed by a doctor — cleansing the skin and carrying out the procedure as planned
4. After-care and follow-up — providing skin-care guidance and scheduling follow-up by round

What results can you expect after Pico Laser?

After treatment, the skin often looks fresher within a few days as redness begins to subside, while pigment gradually fades over the weeks that follow. Some types of pigment may look slightly darker at first before they flake off and fade, which is normal. More noticeable results usually come from completing an ongoing course alongside skin care and sun protection. Results vary by individual.

Who is Pico Laser suited to, and who should avoid it?

Suited to people with melasma, freckles, dark spots, post-acne marks, dull skin, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, or anyone who wants to gently brighten their skin.

Should tell their doctor or avoid those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, those with inflamed or infected skin in the area to be treated, those who have recently had strong sun exposure or sunburn, those taking certain photosensitizing medications, or those with a history of keloid scarring. Your doctor takes a history and assesses suitability every time before treatment.

Does Pico Laser have side effects?

Pico Laser is safe when performed by a doctor using standard equipment with appropriate energy settings. Side effects are usually mild and temporary — such as redness, a warm sensation, or slight swelling in the treated area — which usually improve on their own within a short time. Some people may have tiny scabs that flake off on their own. The most significant risk is treatment by a non-doctor or with inappropriate energy settings, so choose a licensed medical facility with treatment performed by a doctor.

How is Pico Laser different from a conventional laser?

Pico Laser and earlier lasers such as Q-Switched both care for pigment, but they work over different time scales:

Your doctor will recommend the device and program suited to each person’s skin concern on the consultation day.

Preparing for Pico Laser

• Tell your doctor about any underlying conditions, medications, supplements, and allergy history
• Avoid strong sun exposure and tanning before treatment as your doctor advises
• Avoid products that irritate the skin, such as exfoliating acids (AHA/BHA) or retinol, in the period before treatment
• Arrive with clean skin and no makeup in the area to be treated

After-care for Pico Laser

• Apply sunscreen daily and avoid strong sun to help prevent pigment from darkening again
• Gently restore moisture to the skin, focusing on non-irritating products
• Avoid scrubbing the skin and avoid exfoliating products (AHA/BHA, retinol) at first, as your doctor advises
• If tiny scabs appear, let them flake off on their own — do not pick or scratch
• Continue the course on the rounds your doctor recommends, for results that look better

Why choose Pico Laser at Onnyx Clinic?

Skin analysis and treatment by a doctor, standard equipment, several programs to choose from by skin concern, personalized care plans, transparent pricing, and close before- and after-care — for results that look natural and safe to medical standards. Results vary by individual.

References

• Thai FDA (อย.) — fda.moph.go.th
• American Academy of Dermatology — aad.org
• Management of Melasma: Laser and Other Therapies — Review Study (PMC) — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov