What is picosecond pigment laser
Picosecond laser is a laser that targets pigment (melanin) produced by our skin. It has the ability to treat melanin in all skin types (including those with darker skin).
All lasers work by having tissue targets (chromophores) and the chromophore for picosecond laser is melanin, in other words, the light energy is preferentially absorbed by melanin. Traditional long pulsed lasers work by selectively heating up melanin to the point of damage. The body’s natural healing processes then remove the damaged melanin. However, the main drawback is that heat generated by long pulsed lasers can cause side effects such as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with darker skin types. This led ultimately to the development of picosecond lasers, which has a pulse duration in the order of a trillionth of a second (compared to a thousandth of a second). Picosecond lasers work via a different mechanism (photomechanical or photoacoustic), which makes more suitable for patients with darker skin types.
We have the Cutera Enlighten III TM laser. It has 3 wavelengths, 532nm, 670nm and 1064nm. This allows us to treat melanin at different depths in the skin. The photomechanical process also generates a light induced optical breakdown (LIOB) in the skin. This mechanism causes new collagen to be generated and this forms the basis of skin rejuvenation by PICO GenesisTM which we often utilise at the same time as the pigment removal procedure.
Who is a suitable candidate
There are several main categories of patients who would benefit from picosecond laser treatment.
Firstly, patients with pigment disorders such as uneven pigmentation from sun damage and benign pigmented lesions are amenable for treatment. Discrete lesions can be spot treated, and generalised pigment disorders such as melasma can be treated with PICO Genesis TM. It is important to keep in mind that topical treatment is considered first line for treatment of melasma.
Secondly, PICO Genesis TM is effective for skin rejuvenation, improving colour, texture and decreasing the appearance of pore size.
PICO Genesis FX TM can be used to treat textural concerns such as acne scarring. This uses a microlens array (MLA) to fractionate the laser beam. This leads to collagen remodelling and improvement of textural changes in the skin.
What to expect
An initial consult and examination is essential for treatment planning.
Rarely do we use picosecond laser as a stand-alone treatment. Instead, it forms part of your overall treatment plan, alongside sun protection, prescription skin care and prescription medications and other treatment modalities.
Pre-treatment with topical or oral medication is often required to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes, especially in patients with darker skin types.
More than one treatment is often required to deliver optimal results, with maintenance treatment often required to maintain the health of the skin.
Our medical approach
At Aesthetic Harmony, your consultation, diagnosis, and treatment plan are performed by medical practitioners, ensuring a personalised and clinically informed approach to your care.
If you like to explore whether picosecond pigment laser is right for you, we would be delighted to welcome you for a consultation.
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