Skin Rejuvenation with PicoSure

What are Pico Laser Treatments: A Complete Guide

You can achieve a fresh and more youthful appearance with pico laser treatments, an advanced technology that improves the appearance of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and collagen stimulation. As we age, damage from sun exposure, acne, and environmental pollutants takes a toll on our skin and begins to appear in various forms, such as sunspots, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and fine lines and wrinkles. PicoSure treatments available at VIVAA are safe and effective for ALL skin types. This laser therapy treats many skin imperfections and can enhance your natural glow.

Understanding How the PicoSure Laser Works

PicoSure is a revolutionary, noninvasive, nonsurgical technology that treats common skin complaints and imperfections. Its results are similar to those from ablative and non-ablative lasers, but without the downtime. The PicoSure laser delivers short bursts of energy in trillions of a second to the targeted areas to remove sun spots, brown patches, freckles, pigmented lesions, wrinkles, fine lines and acne scars. It targets and breaks up melanocytes responsible for hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. The technology also targets scar tissue by stimulating collagen production without causing thermal damage to the surrounding tissue. Since this powerful laser utilizes pressure instead of heat, this treatment is safe for Fitzpatrick skin types one through six.

High laser energy eliminates skin discoloration and promotes collagen and elastin production. Elastin is a protein in the skin that keeps it flexible and helps restore its shape by repairing its support structure. Elastin production increases skin firmness and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

What is Pico Laser Treatment?

A Pico laser is a device used in the cosmetic dermatology industry to repair skin concerns in a noninvasive, nonsurgical manner. Also known as the PicoSure laser skin treatment, it ensures that conventional drawbacks and side effects of treatment do not arise on aging skin.

This cutting-edge technology can rapidly remove stretch marks, tattoos, acne scarring, freckles, birthmarks, melasma pigmentation removal, sun damage, wrinkle-smoothing, and other skin issues. Unlike typical laser skin treatments, Pico laser treatment can be used on the entire body and all skin types.

Does the Pico Laser Work?

Pico laser works, but it is different from other laser treatments. Traditional lasers continuously expose sensitive skin to high temperatures. Picosecond laser treatment turns the intense laser energy into a moderate pressure, which contracts skin cells and activates them to manufacture new collagen and elastin. This procedure results in no skin injury or burning, plus little to no downtime. You'll notice healthier and more glowing skin.

The benefits of the treatment will surface gradually as your body’s natural healing process kicks in. Most individuals realize improvements within the first 2 or 3 weeks following their initial consultation. Your outcomes will improve until your last session or until you attain the desired result. This makes PicoSure laser treatment ideal for busy professionals who can't take time off to heal.

Benefits surface gradually as your body's natural healing process occurs. Most patients see improvements within the first two or three weeks. PicoSure delivers optimal results after a series of treatments, with some patients noticing improvement after just one session! Depending on the location on the body, treatments are generally spaced in four to eight-week intervals. We recommend three to four treatments for ideal results, but depending on the skin condition, you may need up to six sessions.

How Long Does Pico Laser Last?

Most patients should expect to see the benefits of a Pico laser treatment for at least six months before they start to disappear. Some benefits, such as those for scar and tattoo removal, are permanent because the technology used to address these concerns breaks up scar and tattoo pigment. However, superficial skin lesions can resurface over time as results fade.

How Many Pico Treatments Will I Need?

Your results determine the frequency of your PicoSure treatments. For optimal results, you'll need a series of four to six Pico laser treatments. Some patients may want a maintenance session every four to six months to maintain results.

What Areas of the Body Does the PicoSure Laser Address?

Many people know that the PicoSure skin treatment is highly effective at removing unwanted tattoos because of its precision and intensity, so it should be no surprise that this laser has multiple aesthetic applications for the entire body. The most common areas treated with the PicoSure laser are:

• Face
• Neck
• Chest
• Back
• Legs
• Arms

Removal of Unwanted Tattoos

The PicoSure laser technology removes tattoos from anywhere on the body and all skin types. The laser pulse breaks up the ink particles into tiny pieces, allowing your body to naturally flush this ink out quickly and safely. Most patients need fewer treatments to remove their tattoos with this technology.

Skin Rejuvenation 

Naturally aging skin forms fine lines and wrinkles. Smoking and sun exposure augment the process. New collagen and elastin production, which support the top layers of skin, decreases over time to fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. Undergoing a series of PicoSure treatments will increase collagen production, gradually smoothing skin tone and texture as collagen increases. Over time, new collagen and elastin production improve the skin's overall look and feel, resulting in rejuvenation.

Effective Treatment for Anti-Aging

Filler and Botox treatments are excellent for anti-aging, but neither addresses several critical aspects of skin health: collagen stimulation, hyperpigmentation (sun damage) and skin texture. PicoSure significantly improves sun damage, pore size, fine lines and wrinkles, and collagen stimulation.

Melasma and Pigmented Lesions

Skin produces a brown pigment called melanin to protect itself from sun damage. Ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up melanin production. Years of sun exposure can cause melanin to clump in high concentrations, resulting in pigmented lesions.

The PicoSure laser can minimize the appearance of freckles, age spots, sun spots, freckles, melasma, and even birthmarks by going straight to the pigment and gently disrupting the particles while not disturbing the surrounding skin cells. The PicoSure laser offers various applicators and wavelengths, allowing it to target and treat pigmented lesions of any size.

Acne Scar Reduction

Acne scarring occurs when your body attempts to repair its skin after a breakout. However, acne scars are among the most challenging skin pigmentation issues to treat, as they resist most protocols. The PicoSure laser acne scar treatment is more effective because it creates a precise thermal injury in the skin's sub-layers at the scar site, signaling the body to send collagen and elastin to heal the thermal damage. In turn, these essential building blocks repair and restore the skin to its normal appearance and repair acne scars faster than traditional cosmetic surgery.

Benefits of PicoSure Laser Treatment

Faster Results

Pico laser treatments deliver faster and more noticeable results than other laser treatments, significantly reducing the appearance of skin imperfections.

Minimal Discomfort

You'll experience minimal discomfort during your session, as Pico lasers are gentle on the skin, reducing the need for anesthesia. Many patients say the treatment feels like a light snapping or tingling on the skin. Numbing cream is available for those who wish to have it.

Safe for All Skin Types

The Picosecond laser is suitable for all skin types, including darker skin tones, without causing hyperpigmentation or scarring, making it accessible to more people.

Stimulates Collagen Production

When you address a skin concern with Pico laser treatments, it stimulates collagen, promotes skin elasticity and produces a more youthful complexion.

Improved Skin Texture and Tone

The treatment helps improve skin texture by smoothing it and evening skin tone for a more vibrant appearance.

Non-Invasive

This treatment is non-invasive, meaning there are no incisions or surgery involved, reducing possible complications.

Quick and Comfortable With No Downtime 

Most Pico laser treatments take only 15 to 30 minutes. The length of your appointment will depend on the number of areas treated. Additionally, you won't need any downtime. Most patients can resume daily activities, including work, errands and modest exercise, right after treatment.

What is the Difference Between Pico Laser and Fraxel Laser?

The primary difference between the two laser treatments lies in technology and the skin issues each addresses. Pico Laser uses ultra-short picosecond pulses and is effective for tattoo removal, pigmentation issues, and acne scars. It requires multiple sessions but minimal downtime. Fraxel Laser uses fractional laser technology to create microscopic thermal damage, promoting collagen production. It best treats fine lines, wrinkles, and significant sun damage. Fraxel Laser treatment requires fewer treatments but moderate downtime.

Side Effects and Post-Treatment Care

Typical side effects include temporary redness and swelling at the treatment site. Dark pigmented lesions associated with acne scars will whiten slightly during treatment and then darken over the next day as these skin cells shed.

We will provide a post-treatment care regimen that includes keeping the area clean to avoid irritation and other instructions to ensure a quick recovery.

Are PicoSure Skin Laser Treatments Right for Me?

If you want to learn more about PicoSure for acne scars or eliminating pigment from sun damage, unwanted tattoos or other causes, contact VIVAA for your complimentary consultation to learn how this advanced technology can help your skin issues.