Pico laser
Picosecond laser · PicoSure · PicoWay · DEKA TORO
The most-searched laser treatment in Singapore, driven by pigmentation, acne marks and 'glass skin' content.
Search interest: about 6,100 searches a month in Singapore for “pico laser” (Ahrefs, October 2026).
The variable that matters is depth, not brightness, and pigment already deposited is only half the problem; the inflammation producing it is the other half.
Reviewed against the Aesthetics International standard. Category: Lasers.
Does Pico laser work?
Vetted. The variable that matters is depth, not brightness, and pigment already deposited is only half the problem; the inflammation producing it is the other half. Picosecond lasers are well supported for tattoo removal and lentigines, and reasonably supported for acne scars and photoageing with fractional handpieces.
- Verdict
- Vetted Used within an Aesthetics International protocol; mechanism, evidence and limits reviewed.
- Evidence base
- 4 PubMed-indexed studies cited below, including systematic reviews.
- Suits
- Sun spots, freckles, post-acne marks, tattoo ink, uneven tone in Asian skin when energy is set conservatively.
- Not for
- Melasma treated as if it were a stain. Anyone promised a single-session erasure. Active inflammation or recent tanning.
- In Singapore
- Picosecond lasers are HSA-registered medical devices operated by doctors in Singapore.
- Category
- Lasers · about 6,100 searches a month in Singapore for “pico laser”
- Reviewed
- 1 October 2026 by Aesthetics International. Revised as evidence and regulation change.
What it is
A picosecond laser delivers energy in pulses a thousand times shorter than the nanosecond lasers that came before it. The pulse fractures pigment mechanically — a photoacoustic effect — rather than by heating it, which is why it is used for melasma, sun spots, post-inflammatory marks and tattoo ink with less heat spread into surrounding skin.
How it works
Different wavelengths target different depths and colours: 532 nm for superficial brown pigment, 755 or 785 nm for dermal pigment and most tattoo inks, 1064 nm for deeper pigment and darker skin. Fractional handpieces create microscopic zones of injury for texture and pores. Many platforms also offer a longer thermal pulse for mild tightening.
What the evidence says
Picosecond lasers are well supported for tattoo removal and lentigines, and reasonably supported for acne scars and photoageing with fractional handpieces. For melasma the evidence is mixed: low-fluence picosecond treatment can lighten it, but melasma is an inflammatory condition that recurs, and aggressive settings cause rebound darkening — the commonest complaint after 'glow' packages.
What people are saying
Paraphrased from public discussion on TikTok, Instagram, Reddit and in the press. Not testimonials, and not about any one clinic. Reported in: drrachelho.com, aestheticstudio.com.sg.
What the studies show
- systematic review
Across indications, picosecond lasers were found safe and effective for tattoo removal, pigmented lesions and, with fractional handpieces, scars and photoageing, with the strongest evidence for tattoos and lentigines.
A Systematic Review of Picosecond Laser in Dermatology: Evidence and Recommendations. — Lasers Surg Med, 2021. PMID 32282094.
- systematic review
Pooled trials showed 1064 nm picosecond treatment reduced melasma scores, while 755 nm was not superior to topical agents and was associated with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Efficacy and safety of picosecond laser for the treatment of melasma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. — Lasers Med Sci, 2023. PMID 36897459.
- systematic review
In Asian skin, picosecond lasers improved pigmentary disorders with a lower rate of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation than nanosecond lasers, with melasma remaining the least predictable indication.
Treatment of pigmentary disorders using picosecond laser in Asian patients: A meta-analysis and systematic review. — Dermatol Ther, 2021. PMID 33368885.
- systematic review
Fractional picosecond treatment produced measurable improvement in atrophic acne scars with transient side effects, from a small number of mostly uncontrolled studies.
Fractional picosecond laser for atrophic acne scars: A meta-analysis. — J Cosmet Dermatol, 2023. PMID 37310182.
Studies are selected for relevance and quality, not for agreement with the verdict; PubMed records are linked so the reader can check them.
Who it suits
Suits
Sun spots, freckles, post-acne marks, tattoo ink, uneven tone in Asian skin when energy is set conservatively.
Not for
Melasma treated as if it were a stain. Anyone promised a single-session erasure. Active inflammation or recent tanning.
Alternatives
The two reviewed treatments most often weighed against Pico laser, on the same standard.
| Pico laser | Clear + Brilliant and Moxi | Fractional CO₂ resurfacing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Vetted | Promising | Established |
| What it is | A picosecond laser delivers energy in pulses a thousand times shorter than the nanosecond lasers that came before it. | Clear + Brilliant (Solta) and Moxi (Sciton) are non-ablative fractional lasers that use a 1927 nm thulium wavelength at low energy and density to treat the epidermis and upper dermis. | A 10,600 nm carbon dioxide laser vapourises columns of skin in a grid, leaving intact skin between them to speed healing. |
| Evidence base | 4 PubMed-indexed studies cited below, including systematic reviews. | 4 PubMed-indexed studies cited below, including randomised trials. | 4 PubMed-indexed studies cited below, including systematic reviews. |
| Suits | Sun spots, freckles, post-acne marks, tattoo ink, uneven tone in Asian skin when energy is set conservatively. | Early sun damage, dullness, mild uneven tone and maintenance between stronger treatments; melasma-prone skin at low energy under a pigment plan. | Atrophic acne scars, etched lines around the mouth and eyes, sun-damaged texture and surgical scars in people who can take a week of visible recovery. |
| In one line | The variable that matters is depth, not brightness, and pigment already deposited is only half the problem; the inflammation producing it is the other half. | Treating pigment early is sensible; calling it prevention is a story the evidence has not yet told. | The laser is a controlled injury; the skill is choosing how deep and how dense for this skin, not how much the machine can do. |
Risks
Transient redness, pinpoint bleeding with fractional tips, temporary darkening, and rebound hyperpigmentation when energy is pushed. Depth and fluence matter more than brand.
In Singapore
Picosecond lasers are HSA-registered medical devices operated by doctors in Singapore. Several platforms are available; the DEKA TORO is the one used in our T2 Frax Radiance protocol.
“The variable that matters is depth, not brightness, and pigment already deposited is only half the problem; the inflammation producing it is the other half.”
Vetted protocols on the same problem
Questions
How many sessions does pico laser need?
Is pico laser safe for Asian skin?
Pico laser or chemical peel for pigmentation?
Cite this review
Aesthetics International (2026). Pico laser: does it work? Evidence, risks and verdict. https://aesthetics-international.org/treatments/pico-laser/ (reviewed 1 October 2026).
Editorial, unpaid and independent of any manufacturer. Verdict: Vetted. See what works and what doesn't across all 153 reviews. Spotted an error or a newer study? Suggest a correction — changes are logged on the corrections page. Terms are defined in the glossary.
Have a question about this treatment?
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