“What is pico fractional laser?”
“Can it help improve acne scars and craters?”
If you have questions about the features and effects of pico fractional laser, read on.
Pico fractional laser is a treatment that may help address a variety of skin concerns, including fine lines, acne scars, and craters. By stimulating cells in the dermis, it encourages collagen and elastin production, which can contribute to improved skin firmness and overall skin quality.
This page covers the expected effects and pricing of pico fractional laser treatment. After reading, you should have a clearer idea of whether this treatment is right for you.
At our clinic, we propose a treatment plan tailored to each individual patient and are committed to delivering results. We take the time to listen carefully to your concerns and symptoms, so please book a consultation using the button below.
Table of Contents
- 1 What Is Pico Fractional Laser?
- 1.1 Differences from Pico Toning and Pico Spot
- 1.2 Differences from Dermapen Microneedling
- 2 Two Key Features of Pico Fractional Laser
- 2.1 Minimal damage to the skin surface
- 2.2 Short downtime
- 3 Two Effects You Can Expect from Pico Fractional Laser
- 3.1 ① May help improve fine lines and skin quality
- 3.2 ② May help reduce the appearance of acne scars, craters, and enlarged pores
- 4 Who May Benefit from Pico Fractional Laser
- 5 Treatment Process and Post-Treatment Recovery
- 6 Pico Fractional Laser Pricing
- 7 Frequently Asked Questions about Pico Fractional Laser
- 7.1 Q. Is the treatment painful?
- 7.2 Q. Can pico fractional laser improve pigmented spots?
- 7.3 Q. Can acne worsen after treatment?
- 8 For Pico Fractional Laser Treatment, Visit IC Clinic
What Is Pico Fractional Laser?
Pico fractional laser is a treatment that concentrates laser energy to deliver light deep into the skin.
“Pico” is a unit of measurement: one picosecond equals one trillionth of a second. The shorter the laser pulse duration, the less thermal damage is caused to surrounding tissue while still breaking down pigment effectively.
Because discomfort is kept to a minimum, treatment without anesthesia is also an option. Below, we explain how pico fractional laser differs from other laser treatments.
Differences from Pico Toning and Pico Spot
There are three types of laser treatments that use picosecond pulse durations, including pico fractional, and they are collectively referred to as “pico lasers.”
The characteristics of each are as follows:
| Mode | Features |
|---|---|
| Pico Fractional | ・May help improve skin texture issues such as enlarged pores and acne scars |
| Pico Toning | ・Delivers low-intensity laser energy ・Targets pigmented spots and melasma ・May help improve overall skin tone |
| Pico Spot | ・Delivers high-intensity laser energy ・Targets pigmented spots, moles, and tattoos ・Concentrates treatment on specific areas of concern |
Pico toning delivers low-intensity laser energy repeatedly over a wide area.
Even for pigmented spots that carry a higher risk of worsening with high-intensity lasers, this approach allows treatment to proceed while minimizing skin damage.
Pico spot, on the other hand, directs picosecond laser energy at the treatment area to break down melanin, the substance responsible for pigmentation.
Both pico spot and pico toning can target pigmented spots, moles, and tattoos, and are selected based on the patient’s specific condition. In contrast, pico fractional may also help improve enlarged pores and acne scars.
Differences from Dermapen Microneedling
Dermapen Microneedling is another treatment option that may help address enlarged pores and acne scars.
Dermapen works by applying ultra-fine needles to the skin with a vibrating motion to stimulate cell activity. The needle stimulation encourages collagen production, which may help improve skin quality.
One key difference between fractional laser and Dermapen Microneedling lies in their effectiveness against pigmentation such as pigmented spots and freckles.
Fractional laser can also treat pigmented spots and freckles, whereas Dermapen Microneedling does not address these concerns. This is because Dermapen Microneedling works by enhancing the skin’s natural healing ability and is not designed to break down pigment-producing cells.
For this reason, Dermapen Microneedling is primarily recommended when the goal is solely to improve skin texture and surface irregularities.
Related article: Improve Skin Quality with Dermapen Microneedling — When Does It Take Effect? Three Features and the Treatment Process | IC Clinic
Two Key Features of Pico Fractional Laser
Pico fractional laser has two main features:
- Minimal damage to the skin surface
- Short downtime
Pico fractional laser is a laser treatment with minimal impact on the skin.
Specifically, it involves relatively short downtime and limited damage to the skin surface. The following sections explain these features in more detail.
Minimal Damage to the Skin Surface
Pico fractional laser minimizes damage to the skin surface. Because the impact on the skin is limited, the risk of discomfort is also low.
This is because the laser is delivered in an extremely short pulse duration measured in nanoseconds, reducing the thermal energy transferred to the skin surface.
Pico fractional laser can be considered a treatment that keeps its impact on the skin to a minimum.
Short Downtime
Pico fractional laser tends to involve shorter downtime compared to conventional fractional laser treatments.
Downtime refers to the period from the time of treatment until the skin returns to its normal condition. Because pico fractional laser causes less damage to the skin, the associated downtime is also reduced.
Conventional fractional lasers using nanosecond (one billionth of a second) pulses could result in several days of downtime. With pico fractional laser, however, downtime is generally minimal, and wearing makeup on the same day as treatment may be possible.
Two Effects You Can Expect from Pico Fractional Laser
There are two main effects that may be expected from pico fractional laser:
- Improvement of fine lines and skin quality
- Reduction in the appearance of acne scars, craters, and enlarged pores
Addressing skin texture irregularities — including fine lines, overall skin quality, acne scars, and enlarged pores — is one of the defining characteristics of pico fractional laser.
The following sections describe each expected effect in detail.
① May Help Improve Fine Lines and Skin Quality
By stimulating collagen and elastin in the dermis, pico fractional laser may help improve fine lines and overall skin quality.
When the body’s supply of collagen and elastin decreases, skin loses its firmness, and the resulting sagging can lead to the formation of fine lines.
Collagen supplementation alone may offer some benefit for skin quality improvement. However, achieving a balanced intake of both collagen and elastin may contribute to more noticeable improvement in wrinkles. Elastin, which has rubber-like properties, works to reinforce the bond of collagen, which has a rigid, steel-like structure.
Pico fractional laser has the potential to stimulate the production and activity of both collagen and elastin.
② May Help Reduce the Appearance of Acne Scars, Craters, and Enlarged Pores
Pico fractional laser may also provide benefits for concerns such as acne scars, craters, and enlarged pores.
When acne causes prolonged skin inflammation, the affected area can become depressed, creating surface irregularities. These indented acne scars are commonly referred to as craters and are difficult to address on your own.
Additionally, a loss of skin elasticity and pore enlargement due to aging can make pores more noticeable.
Pico fractional laser works to promote skin cell turnover for a smoother, healthier-looking complexion. It also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, and tissue regeneration may help improve the appearance of craters.
Who May Benefit from Pico Fractional Laser
Pico fractional laser may be worth considering for those who:
- Want to improve fine lines or overall skin quality
- Are concerned about uneven acne scarring
- Have enlarged pores they would like to address
- Want to avoid the downtime associated with conventional fractional laser
- Are looking to improve the appearance of craters
Pico fractional laser may help address concerns such as acne scars, fine lines, sagging pores, and atrophic scarring (craters).
Because the treatment causes relatively little skin damage, it may also appeal to those who want to minimize discomfort and downtime.
Treatment Process and Post-Treatment Recovery
The pico fractional laser process at our clinic is as follows:
- Physician Consultation
A consultation with one of our physicians is conducted first. We listen carefully to your concerns and assess whether pico fractional laser is appropriate for your condition. Please feel free to share any questions or concerns you may have. - Pre-Treatment Preparation
Before treatment, the skin is cleansed to remove sebum and makeup. During the procedure, you may experience a sensation similar to small sparks on the skin’s surface. - Pico Laser Application
After marking and disinfecting the treatment area and applying protective eye covers, the laser is delivered. The wavelength and output are adjusted based on your individual treatment goals. The laser application itself typically takes approximately 5 to 20 minutes. - Aftercare and Post-Treatment Recovery
Because downtime is generally minimal, wearing makeup on the same day is possible under the guidance of your attending physician.
Pico Fractional Laser Pricing
Pricing for pico fractional laser at our clinic varies depending on the treatment details.
Please refer to the relevant price list below based on your area of concern:
- Pricing for Pigmented Spots & Melasma
- Pricing for Wrinkles
- Pricing for Clogged Pores
- Pricing for Acne Scars (Indentations)
Frequently Asked Questions about Pico Fractional Laser
Here we answer common questions from those considering pico fractional laser for the first time.
Q. Is the treatment painful?
Pico fractional laser treatment can generally be received with minimal discomfort.
Any sensation that does occur is typically comparable to a light needle prick or the snap of a rubber band against the skin.
Pain associated with laser treatment is related to the heat generated in surrounding tissue, and tends to increase with longer pulse durations. Because pico fractional laser delivers energy in an extremely brief pulse, discomfort is kept to a minimum.
For those who remain concerned about discomfort, anesthesia is also available upon request.
Q. Can pico fractional laser improve pigmented spots?
Pico fractional laser is not designed to treat pigmented spots.
If you would like to address pigmented spots, pico spot treatment is recommended. Pico spot is suited for the treatment of pigmented spots and other forms of hyperpigmentation.
Our clinic offers pico fractional, pico spot, and pico toning treatments. If you are interested in addressing not only acne scars and fine lines, but also pigmented spots or melasma, we encourage you to visit IC Clinic.
Q. Can acne worsen after treatment?
There is a possibility that pico fractional laser may temporarily affect acne.
Inflammation or swelling from the treatment can sometimes block pores, which may cause acne to flare up.
However, in most cases where this occurs, it is temporary. Symptoms typically settle within approximately one week in most cases.
For Pico Fractional Laser Treatment, Visit IC Clinic
Pico fractional laser works directly on the fibroblasts in the dermis, activating the skin’s natural regenerative substances.
The main effects that may be expected from pico fractional laser treatment are:
- Improvement of fine lines and skin quality
- Reduction in the appearance of acne scars, craters, and enlarged pores
With relatively short downtime and minimal discomfort, this treatment may also be suitable for those who have concerns about the side effects associated with laser procedures.
Our clinic is committed to treatments that minimize discomfort and avoid damage to surrounding tissue. Our locations are conveniently accessible from major train stations, so please feel free to visit IC Clinic at your convenience.
At our clinic, we propose a treatment plan tailored to each individual patient and are committed to delivering results. We take the time to listen carefully to your concerns and symptoms, so please book a consultation using the button below.
