What is pico laser?
Pico laser is a laser for pigment problems and skin renewal that delivers its energy in picoseconds — one-trillionth of a second per pulse. It evolved from earlier lasers like the Q-Switched, which release energy more slowly. That speed lets it break down pigment more finely while building up less heat in the skin. Widely known machines in this class include PicoSure and PicoWay.
How does pico laser work?
The key mechanism is mechanical shockwave (photoacoustic) rather than heat. The extremely fast pulse strikes abnormal pigment under the skin and shatters it into fine particles, which the body then clears away naturally over time. The energy also stimulates new collagen production, so skin looks smoother and brighter. Because it builds up less heat than older lasers, it also lowers the risk of post-laser dark marks — something Asian skin in particular has to watch out for.
What can pico laser treat?
- Melasma, freckles and sun spots
- Dark marks left by acne, and uneven skin tone
- Overall brightening and pore tightening
- Shallow wrinkles and some types of acne scars (collagen-stimulation mode)
- Tattoo removal across a range of ink colours
How many sessions until you see results?
A change in brightness is often noticeable from the first session, but the number of sessions for clear results depends on the problem. The figures doctors in Thailand commonly quote: superficial freckles and general dark marks around 1–3 sessions; acne marks and overall brightening around 3–6; tattoos may take 5–10 — spaced about 2–4 weeks apart so the skin can recover. Melasma is a chronic condition that needs ongoing treatment plus control of its triggers; it is not a one-shot fix.
Does it hurt? Is there downtime?
Most people feel only small stings or warmth, since numbing cream is applied beforehand and cool air is blown over the skin during the session. Afterwards the skin may be red or slightly swollen for a few hours up to a day, and spots where dense pigment was treated may form thin scabs that fall off on their own. You can go straight back to normal life. The one thing you must not neglect is strict sun protection afterwards — the skin is sun-sensitive during that period, and strong sun exposure will bring the pigment back.
Who is pico laser right for?
It suits people with pigment problems — melasma, freckles, dark marks, acne marks — or anyone wanting brighter skin without downtime. If your main problem is deep acne scarring or pronounced scars, you may need several treatment methods combined; always have a doctor assess what type of problem you actually have first.
The bottom line
Pico laser is one of the most precise, lowest-downtime tools for pigment problems available today. But good results come from energy settings matched to your individual skin, a genuine machine, and a realistic number of sessions for the problem — not from ads promising that one session fixes everything.