Picoway laser

Pico lasers are an invaluable laser for dermatologists. This laser delivers very short bursts of energy which targets pigment. It does this with no heat transfer to the skin. 

Pico lasers are regarded as the pinnacle of laser technology. These lasers deliver effective results in fewer sessions than comparable lasers. They are inherently safe for all skin types with minimal downtime & can be used across the entire face and body.

Pico lasers can treat many skin conditions, but really excel in the following- 

• Ethnic skin rejuvenation: Pico provides safe & effective skin rejuvenation, reducing pigment, improving wrinkles, open pores & increasing the luminosity of skin. 

• Pigmentation in darker skin types: Pico safely treats sunspots & age spots in darker skin patients. Lighter skin patients can also be treated with pico, however this is often not required. 

• Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation: PIH can result from acne, chicken pox, burns, trauma & insect bites. Pico lasers are so good at treating skin pigmentation that we don’t use the other devices (for PIH). 

We replaced the Picosure laser with Picoway in late 2019. Our clinicians ran the generation one Picosure from 2015. Picoway has the following advantages over Picosure.

• Picoway is much more powerful than Picosure. This means that we can treat age spots, pigmentation, birthmarks & tattoos more effectively.

• Picoway is much better at treating common skin conditions, including post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

• Picoway hurts less. Picosure requires local numbing cream, Picoway does not. 

Picoway cost less per treatment as Picosure has laser consumables. 

2-4 sessions depending on the concern. As a guide-

• Dark acne marks (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation): 2-4 sessions 
• Age spots: 1-3 sessions
• Skin toning, fine lines & wrinkles: 1-3 sessions
• Enlarged pores: 1-3 sessions
• Tattoos: >4 sessions
• Birthmarks: variable

Your treating clinician will give you an accurate projection & time frame as this depends on your skin type & expectations. 

Yes. Our clinic provides competitive pico packages. As a guide-

Single treatment pico laser with Picoway or Picosure Pro: $700

Pico treatment packages with Picoway or Picosure Pro: 4 sessions for $1990

Dermatologist treatment ranges between $890* to $1390* per session

*Price variation depends on the complexity of the treatment.

Learn more.

Most treatments are conducted without numbing cream. In contrast, Picosure is much more painful. We do however use numbing when treating birthmarks such as Ota naevi.

If you have enlarged pores and darker skin, Picoway is the treatment of choice. This laser can predictably reduce pore size within 1-2 sessions (more sessions will deliver better results). This is achieved with minimal downtime, risks & costs. 

Pico works by targeting pigment in the skin. This produces a shock wave that releases growth factors, in turn stimulating collagen production around the pore. This accounts for the astonishing pore-refining effects of this laser. 

If you have lighter skin, fractional thulium lasers work better & faster. Be guided by our dermatologists & procedural nurses. 

Results can be seen within the week. Skin will look and feel refreshed with better luminosity, reduced pigmentation & better light transmission.

One of the advantages of pico is that after completing the recommended series of treatments, results will continue to improve as more collagen is stimulated.

Yes, but there may be more effective treatments. Pico lasers are great for pigmentation, however if you have sun spots & wrinkles, thulium & fractional CO2 lasers are better solutions. Pico lasers have their advantages in treating darker skin types. 

* For lighter skin types, Picoway can treat pigmentation with reduced downtime as compared with fractional laser resurfacing. Healing times range from 1-4 days, as compared to 2-5 days for IPL/BBL/Fraxel/CO2.

Yes, but other lasers are better, more cost effective & less risky. Picoway/Picosure is reserved for resistant pigment, dermal pigment or mixed melasma & age spots. In summary

• Melasma is managed medically (see section)
• The most predictable lasers are nano lasers
• Peels can be effective
• Pico lasers are reserved for cases that fail treatments as listed above.

Flat (or minimally atrophic) acne scars do best with pico lasers. This type of acne scar is called post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or grade 1 macular scars. Picoway/Picosure will not treat boxcar, icepick & rolling scars. Other treatments are more effective. 

Picoway can, however, reduce pore sizing, pigmentation, & improve the clarity of your skin. If you have active acne, vascular lasers do a better job at reducing pimples. In some cases, we combine pico with vascular lasers in the same session. 

Pico is also used to treat-

• Tattoos 

• Traumatic scars
• Hori nevus, cafe au lait macules & other birthmarks

Pico lasers allow for the fast & effective treatment of dark spots, skin pigmentation, & tattoos Pico also increases collagen, hyaluronic acid, & elastin production in the skin. The result? Less wrinkles, fine lines & better pore support.

The Pico laser works by expending uber short pulses of high energy, with very little collateral heating.  This means Pico treatments do not thermally disrupt the skin’s surface & patients typically experience very little discomfort. 

The laser’s impact on the skin is epic, in turn shattering pigment (melanin) as well as foreign particles. The Pico laser is extremely precise, allowing the practitioner to achieve the optimal photomechanical effect. Although its pulses of energy are highly concentrated, the laser’s effect is gentle to the outer layer of the skin.