"Isn't one round of pico laser enough to wipe melasma out completely?"
"They say a tattoo gets erased clean if you just hit it with a laser — is that really true?"
These are the very first things people looking into pigmentation treatment bring up.
Hello.I'm Kwon Si-jin, the director preparing to open in Myeongdong ^^
Let me be straight with you.If you come expecting the pico laser to be 'the treatment that wipes it all out in one go,' the repeated sessions will wear you down.
The body clears the shattered pigment particles slowly over time, so from the start this isn't a 'one shot' treatment but one you 'build up over several sessions.' That makes how you set your expectations at the beginning important — and this is a part I'd rather state clearly.
By the end you'll know what to ask.
The Pico Laser Is a Treatment That 'Breaks Pigment Into Fine Particles'
Let me start with the principle.
The pulse is roughly 1,000 times shorter than conventional nanosecond lasers, so it reduces thermal damage to surrounding tissue while breaking the pigment down more finely.
The pico laser is a pigment-and-regeneration laser that uses an extremely short pulse on the order of one trillionth of a second (a picosecond) to selectively shatter only the pigment into fine particles.
It's easier to understand if you picture grinding a clumped stain down into tiny grains like sand, so that the body slowly cleans it up and clears it out ㅎㅎ
DA Clinic Myeongdong is preparing to open with two types of pico laser, PicoSure and PicoPlus.PicoSure is a 755nm Alexandrite wavelength, while PicoPlus is multi-wavelength, so we tend to choose between the devices depending on the type and depth of the pigment.
First, It's Not 'All at Once' but 'Built Up Over Sessions'
Many people think, "Since I'm getting it done anyway, it'd be nice to fire it hard once and be done."
But the body takes time to clear out the shattered pigment particles through the lymphatic system.
If too much goes in too strongly at once, the bigger risk is that, rather than the pigment coming out, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) rises more from the irritation.
So we usually leave intervals of 4–6 weeks and split it across sessions — shattering, waiting for it to clear, then shattering again.Melasma is often handled over several sessions and blemishes over comparatively fewer, but the exact number changes depending on the pigment's condition. (how much you feel it differs from person to person)
Second, Even With the Same Pico, 'Pigment Diagnosis' Comes First
The pico laser handles a wide range — melasma, blemishes, age spots, nevus of Ota, and even tattoos.
But even when it looks like the same brown spot, the approach changes completely depending on whether it's pigment sitting shallowly in the epidermis or pigment deep in the dermis.
Melasma in particular is sensitive to irritation, so firing it strongly without thinking can actually make it darker.
So what matters isn't 'which device you use' but 'whether you diagnose what your pigment is first'. Raising the intensity before diagnosis is the most dangerous order to do things in.
Third, the Pico Laser Doesn't Only Handle Pigment
Many people think of the pico laser as being only for pigment.
But if you use a mode called the focus lens, it can also be applied to stimulating dermal collagen and refining the texture of pores, acne scars, and fine lines.
It becomes a picture of tidying up the pigment while also working on the skin's texture at the same time.
That said, this isn't applied to everyone all at once — it's right to choose the mode to match the skin's condition and the goal. Rather than greedily doing everything at once, setting priorities tends to give a cleaner result.
Why we have two pico devices
Not all pico is the same pico.Different wavelengths reach different pigment.
Shorter wavelengths are described as reaching surface pigment, longer ones as reaching deeper.So one uses a wavelength often cited for pigment in Asian skin, while the other is described as moving between two wavelengths to handle a wider range.
That's why we have PicoSure Pro and PicoPlus together at our Myeongdong clinic. Which device gets reached for changes with the depth the pigment sits at.
Hollywood Spectra for toning, and Clarity II and V-Laser for pigment and vessels together, sit alongside them.You can only say "pico isn't right for this pigment" if there are alternatives.
Honestly, There Are Things You Should Know in Advance
The pico laser isn't the answer for all pigment.
Tattoos in particular respond differently depending on the type, depth, and color of the ink, so in many cases the marks only fade as you repeat sessions rather than disappearing cleanly in one go.
Melasma, too, isn't a concept that finishes in one go — it's closer to making it lighter and then maintaining it with steady, ongoing care.
Also, those taking photosensitizing medication, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and those with an active skin condition in the treatment area are safer to postpone the treatment and consult first.This isn't a case of telling you to have it done no matter what — knowing the direction that suits your pigment and condition comes first.
How the days after the treatment run
- The day itselftemporary redness or warmth is possible, generally settling within the day
- 2 to 3 daysfine flaking may appear. Described as the skin sorting itself out
- 1 to 2 weeksthe pigment looks briefly darker, then fades
The most common mistake here is picking at the flaking.Forcing it off makes a mark likely.
And missing sun protection in this period can bring pigment back to a site you worked hard to lighten.These few weeks sometimes shape the result more than the treatment did.
That said, if redness runs severe beyond three days, if blisters form, or if pain steadily worsens, don't wait — contact where you had the treatment.
- It is a treatment built session by session
- Even with the same pico laser, diagnosing the pigment comes first
- After the treatment, sun protection decides the result
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does all the pigment come out after one session?
A. Rather than all the pigment coming out in one session, the pico laser is a treatment where it fades gradually in stages over several sessions.Because the body takes time to clear the shattered pigment particles through the lymphatic system, we usually leave intervals of 4–6 weeks and split it across sessions.Blemishes and age spots tend to lighten in comparatively fewer sessions, but melasma often needs to be built up over several.The number of sessions needed varies depending on the type and depth of the pigment, so it's best to decide the sessions together after diagnosis. Do keep in mind that how much you notice may vary from person to person.
Q. What's the difference between toning and pico laser?
A. The pico laser differs from toning in pulse length.Ordinary laser toning breaks pigment down gradually on the nanosecond scale, while the pico laser, being roughly 1,000 times shorter on the picosecond scale, shatters pigment into finer particles.When the pulse is short, there's less thermal damage to surrounding tissue, so risks such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are comparatively lower too. That's why pico can be the better fit for tricky cases like deep pigment or tattoos.That said, which one is right is best decided by looking at the pigment's condition.
Q. Does it hurt a lot during the treatment?
A. With the pico laser, it's about the level of a stinging or tingling sensation at the moment the pigment is fired, and the treatment time itself tends to be short. The degree of sensation differs depending on the area and the depth of the pigment, and dark, deep pigment or tattoos may feel somewhat stronger. So for sensitive areas we apply numbing cream beforehand, and afterwards we calm the skin with cooling. A little redness or a warm feeling may linger right after the treatment, but it usually settles within a few hours. If you're sensitive to pain, let us know in advance and we'll adjust the intensity.
Q. How does it differ from nanosecond toning?
A. The length of time the energy goes in over differs.Pico is far shorter, so it's described as leaving less time for heat to spread. That's why it's spoken of as lowering the risk of pigment rebounding after treatment.
Q. I heard there's almost no downtime — is that right?
A. It depends on the method and intensity.Approaches that build across sessions barely show, but where surface lesions are targeted strongly, a thin scab can form.
Q. How many sessions are needed?
A. It varies widely with the type and depth of pigment.Rather than fixing a session count in advance, it's better to agree a mid-course review point together.
It does not end in one shot
It's been a long read, and this is the only line worth keeping.
The pico laser — it's not a 'single shot' but 'diagnosis, sessions, and management' that make the pigmentation result.
What I asked at the opening, I answer here.
DA Clinic Myeongdong is set to open soon.We'll share news of our opening and treatment information first on our blog and Instagram ^^
Thank you for reading to the end.This was Director Kwon Si-jin at DA Clinic Myeongdong.
This column is an informational article intended to provide general medical information; the effects and side effects of treatments may vary by individual. DA Clinic Myeongdong is set to open soon. (Medical Service Act Art. 56)