In short. PicoSure is a picosecond pigment and tattoo laser platform with near-infrared wavelength options and a fractional optic. Its ultra-short pulses shatter pigment acoustically rather than heating it slowly, which lowers heat to surrounding skin but does not remove pigment risk on melanin-rich skin.
Key points
- PicoSure uses picosecond pulses rather than the nanosecond pulses of older Q-switched lasers.
- Ultra-short pulses shatter pigment acoustically, so less heat reaches surrounding skin.
- It treats sun spots, freckles, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, resistant tattoo colours, and acne scar texture.
- It does not lift tissue, fill volume, or replace skin-tightening devices.
- Melanin-rich skin is staged with conservative parameters, longer intervals, test spots, and strict sun protection.
Where does PicoSure sit among pigment lasers?
PicoSure is one of the established picosecond pigment laser platforms. It uses ultra-short pulses in the picosecond range, with wavelength options in the near-infrared and a fractional optic that delivers pulses in a focused array. For pigment work and certain tattoo colours it offers faster clearance than older Q-switched nanosecond lasers, with less heat delivered to surrounding skin.
| PicoSure | Older Q-switched nanosecond laser | |
|---|---|---|
| Pulse duration | Picosecond range | Nanosecond range |
| Action on pigment | Photoacoustic shattering | Slower thermal heating |
| Heat to surrounding skin | Less | More |
| Pigment clearance | Faster | Slower |
| Certain tattoo colours | Faster clearance | Slower clearance |
| Underlying principle | Selective photothermolysis | Selective photothermolysis |
The principle is the same on both platforms; pulse length and the heat left behind are what differ.
How the picosecond pulse works
The ultra-short pulse shatters pigment and tattoo particles through a photoacoustic effect rather than slow thermal heating. Smaller fragments are cleared more efficiently by the lymphatic system. The fractional optic array extends the platform to acne scar textural work, where it stimulates collagen remodelling through focused columns of injury.
What does it treat — and what does it not?
PicoSure is used for sun spots, freckles, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, resistant tattoo colours, and acne scar textural refinement. It does not lift tissue, fill volume, or replace skin tightening devices. For deep wrinkles, severe laxity, or volume concerns, other platforms are the appropriate tool.
How is a session staged?
After skin-type assessment and a test spot, the clinician treats the area with a focused handpiece. The sensation is brief and sharp; topical numbing is routine for tattoo and scar work. Brown marks darken, then flake over about a week. Redness settles within hours. Most plans involve three to six sessions, spaced six to eight weeks apart.
Why is Asian skin treated in stages?
Picosecond pulses reduce thermal risk; they do not eliminate pigment risk on melanin-rich skin. Conservative parameters, longer intervals between sessions, strict sun protection, and test spots on inconspicuous areas are standard. Pigment clearance is rarely a one-session result — staged treatment with review points protects the skin and produces cleaner outcomes.
What is recovery and aftercare like?
Mild redness and swelling settle within hours. Treated pigment darkens, then flakes over about a week. Strict broad-spectrum sun protection, gentle barrier-supportive skincare, and avoidance of retinoids and acids for several days are the standard routine. Active pigment-control topicals resume once the skin has fully calmed.
What are the risks — and when should you seek review?
Common temporary effects are redness, mild swelling, and a brief whitening or pinpoint bleeding at higher settings. Less common effects include blistering, scabbing, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Tattoo clearance varies by ink colour, depth, and age; some colours respond poorly to any laser. Honest discussion of realistic clearance, residual ghosting, and the chance of incomplete response is part of safe practice.
- Active tan, recent sunburn, or photosensitizing drugs — defer until the skin is calm.
- Active melasma, eczema, or a history of keloid scarring — review risk and benefit with a dermatologist first.
- Persistent pain, blistering, or unusual pigment change after a session — early review can limit long-lasting colour shift.
Sources
- NICE — guidance on laser treatment for pigmented skin lesions
- Cochrane Library — reviews of laser and light treatments for pigmentation
- American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery — patient safety information
Internal links
Frequently asked questions
What is the fractional optic used for?
The fractional optic delivers pulses in a focused array, which extends the platform to acne-scar textural work by stimulating collagen remodelling through columns of controlled injury. It is not a skin-tightening or volume-restoring tool, and it does not replace those device classes.
Which tattoo colours clear more slowly?
Clearance varies by ink colour, depth and age, and some colours respond poorly to any laser. Resistant inks are the usual reason a course runs long. Honest discussion covers residual ghosting and the real chance of an incomplete response.
Is it suitable for Asian skin?
Picosecond pulses reduce thermal risk but do not eliminate pigment risk on melanin-rich skin. Treatment is staged with conservative parameters, longer intervals, test spots on inconspicuous areas and strict sun protection between sessions. Pushing harder does not make pigment clear faster.
Risks & Limitations
- Burns and blistering if settings do not match the skin.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, particularly in darker skin types, which may take months to settle.
- Hypopigmentation (lightening) of treated skin, which can be permanent.
- Scarring, including hypertrophic scarring, which is uncommon but real.
- Infection, including reactivation of herpes simplex after resurfacing.
- Acne or milia flare during recovery.
- Results are incremental and most concerns need several sessions. Melasma may rebound or worsen with aggressive treatment.
When to Seek Care
- Blistering, weeping or broken skin beyond the expected reaction.
- Severe pain that is worsening rather than settling.
- Spreading redness, warmth, pus or fever.
- New darkening or firmness that looks like scarring at the treated area.
- Any change in a treated pigmented lesion — it should be reviewed, not retreated.
References & Further Reading
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) — laser and energy device information
- American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS)
- National Medical Products Administration (NMPA, China) — device registration status
- Cochrane Library — systematic reviews in laser dermatology
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and it does not cite individual studies. Discuss your own case with a qualified clinician. To arrange an assessment at Chongqing West District Hospital, see Contact & Consultation.