If you’re dealing with stubborn hyperpigmentation uneven skin tone, dull skin or tattoos you’d rather forget, pico laser (picosecond laser) treatment is one of the most evidence-supported laser technologies in modern dermatology for these conditions. It works by delivering energy in trillionths of a second, allowing pigment to be broken into much finer particles with less heat spread to surrounding skin—an important advantage for Asian skin types, where post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a real concern.
At The Skin Longevity Clinic in Singapore, pico laser treatments are planned to treat your concerns and skin type.
Pico laser refers to laser treatments that deliver energy in picosecond pulse durations (10⁻¹² seconds). In dermatology, pico second laser treatments are used to treat:
Evidence for pico second laser in treating these conditions is supported by systematic reviews and multiple prospective studies.
1) Hyperpigmentation removal with a lower “collateral heat” profile
The pulse duration of pico lasers is so short, the dominant effect from this laser is photoacoustic / photomechanical fragmentation of pigment rather than prolonged heating. This is one reason pico lasers are widely used for lightenting dark spots in patients with darker skin, especially in Asia.
2) Texture + scar remodelling (with fractional pico delivery)
With fractional optics (e.g., diffractive lens array), pico lasers can create microscopic zones of injury (i.e. laser-induced optical breakdown) that stimulate dermal remodelling while keeping downtime relatively low compared with fully ablative resurfacing from other types of lasers for acne scars.
3) Evidence in melasma (with important caveats)
Studies in Asian skin show improvement in melasma severity and skin quality with fractional 1064 nm picosecond treatment, but melasma remains prone to relapses. Pico lasers work well and safely, as part of a long-term plan (sun protection, trigger control, topical maintenance).
Traditional nanosecond (Q-switched) lasers break pigment by delivering energy in nanoseconds (10⁻⁹ seconds). Picosecond lasers deliver energy even faster, producing a stronger shockwave-like mechanical effect that fractures pigment into smaller fragments. The shorter pulse duration of pico lasers facilitate faster clearance by the body’s immune and lymphatic systems, with less thermal diffusion and collateral damage into surrounding tissue.
For rejuvenation and scar treatment, fractional pico optics create microscopic “micro-injury” points (LIOB/vacuoles) that signal wound healing and collagen reorganisation without removing the entire skin surface. This mechanism has been demonstrated on histology and in vivo imaging studies to resurface depressed scars by building collagen fibres.
Both pico laser and q-switched lasers are effective treatments for hyperpigmentation, skin rejuvenation and tattoo removal. The differences lie in the pulse duration of the lasers and how the laser energy interacts with pigment.
Studies show that:
Before a session of pico laser session at The Skin Longevity Clinic in Singapore, patients undergo a consultation and assessment by Dr Rachel Ho.
Downtime is often minimal with pico laser treatments.
Some of the common reactions after pico laser treatments include:
Results from a pico laser treatment can vary across individuals. Lightening of hyperpigmentation and tattoo removal can occur over 3-4 weeks; and collagen remodelling treatments can occur over 1-2 months.
Yes, pico laser treatments can be combined with other treatments for synergistic outcomes. Examples include chemical peels for lightening hyperpigmentation and brightening dull skin; and collagen biostimulators for skin resurfacing and rejuvenation.
When performed by accredited doctors in Singapore, pico laser treatments under appropriate settings are considered safe and well-studied across multiple dermatologic indications. The safety profile for pico laser treatments is supported by:
Choosing an experienced doctor and reliable clinic for parameter selection and diagnosis can help to reduce these risks of complications from laser treatments.
Pico laser remains one of the most evidence-supported laser treatments for hyperpigmentation and tattoo removal for Asian skin. Reducing energy delivery time to trillionths of a second allows pigment to be broken into much finer particles with less collateral damage. This is especially important for pigment stability and prevention of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in Asian skin.