PicoToning
Over time, signs of the natural aging process become etched into the skin. Sun exposure and sun damage can lead to the development of age spots and sun spots, which are brown spots of discoloration that appear on the skin’s surface in areas most commonly exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, and shoulders. Production of the structural proteins collagen and elastin also starts to decrease, leading to sagging skin, which enhances the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The development of these signs of aging leads many patients to seek skin rejuvenation treatments to improve skin texture and tone. Luckily, many treatment options that are safe and effective for all skin types are available at board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green’s New York City dermatology office, including Pico Laser treatment, known as PicoToning.
PicoToning is a type of laser treatment that employs picosecond laser technology to improve a patient’s skin tone, reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation, erasing skin discoloration, and even removing tattoos. The laser treatment uses concentrated, ultra-short pulses of light that destroy melanin and pigmentation in the dermal layer of skin while leaving the surrounding tissue undamaged. PicoToning treatment is a non-ablative laser treatment, meaning that no abrasions are made to the skin’s surface, providing patients with a more comfortable treatment experience and reducing the downtime necessary following treatment. PicoToning treatment requires no downtime, and patients can immediately return to their regularly scheduled activities. With a wavelength of laser energy pulses that last for only a trillionth of a second, PicoToning treatment can address a wide variety of skin concerns, including age spots, hyperpigmentation, acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and unwanted tattoos, with minimal downtime and for all skin types. If you are concerned about these skin conditions, the best first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michele Green to determine if PicoToning is the best treatment option.
Expert, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green has treated patients in her Upper East Side New York City dermatology office for over 25 years. Experienced in many laser resurfacing, hair removal, and anti-aging treatments, including Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), Fractional laser resurfacing, VBeam laser, Thermage for skin tightening, Picosecond lasers like Picoway and Picosure, and more, Dr. Green is a master at choosing the treatment option that is the best fit for you. Sometimes, Dr. Green will pair PicoToning treatment with anti-aging treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels, and microneedling to improve results for total facial rejuvenation. Well-known for high patient satisfaction, Dr. Green has frequently been voted one of the best healthcare providers in New York City by such publications as Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine.
What is Picotoning?
PicoToning is the use of picosecond laser treatment to improve the appearance of the skin by eliminating hyperpigmentation, such as age spots, sun spots, acne scars, and pigmented lesions. Picosecond laser technology, used in such devices as the PicoWay laser and Picosure laser, emits wavelengths of light energy at super-fast speeds, with each pulse lasting a trillionth of a second. The laser energy targets the melanin in the skin, breaking it up for the body to metabolize and reducing the appearance of pigmentation. Rather than being converted into heat energy like many other laser treatments, picosecond lasers used in PicoToning apply gentle pressure to the pigmented cells, causing them to break up and triggering the body’s natural collagen production process. Without heat energy, PicoToning treatment can safely be used on patients with lighter and darker skin tones and requires no downtime following the treatment.
PicoToning for acne scars
Acne scars can form after an inflamed acne breakout, leaving behind different types of scars that will not disappear independently and be difficult to remove even with cosmetic treatment. There are many types of acne scars, including depressed acne scars, raised acne scars, and associated pigmentation with either kind. The first step in dealing with acne scars is to schedule a consultation with experienced board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, who will examine the treatment area to determine the type of acne scar and the best treatment to address your specific case. PicoToning is a particularly effective treatment option for addressing pigmentation around the scarring. With ultra-short pulses of laser energy, PicoToning treatment destroys the pigmentation in the treatment area, reducing the appearance of acne scars.
Is there any downtime associated with PicoToning laser treatment for skin rejuvenation?
One significant benefit of PicoToning laser treatment for skin rejuvenation is no downtime associated with the procedure. PicoToning picosecond treatment can be performed in 10-15 minutes and is mostly painless. Some patients say the laser application feels like someone snapping a rubberband lightly against their skin. Dr. Green will apply a topical numbing cream before the procedure begins to minimize potential discomfort during treatment. Following the process, patients can immediately return to their regularly scheduled activities without needing any recovery time. Some may experience mild side effects, including redness and swelling for several hours after the treatment, but these will subside independently.
Skincare for improving skin tone
The most crucial skincare step for improving skin tone and texture, reducing the risk of melasma flair-ups, and preventing the development of age spots and sun spots is consistently applying sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Sun exposure can worsen many skin conditions and speed up the natural aging process, enhancing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and skin laxity. Every morning, patients should apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect against the harmful UVA and UVB rays that can wreak havoc on the skin. Over time, repeated sun damage can lead to brown spots on the skin’s surface, particularly in prominent locations, such as the face, hands, chest, and shoulders. Patients should practice sun avoidance before and after any PicoToning laser treatment to prevent hyperpigmentation.
PicoToning vs. Picosecond laser treatment
PicoToning is the name for picosecond laser treatments explicitly used to improve the appearance of a patient’s skin tone by reducing skin discoloration. Several types of lasers use picosecond laser technology, including the Picosure laser, created by Cynosure, and Picoway, designed by Candela. Picosecond laser technology is unique in the world of laser treatments. It is a non-ablative laser that does not use heat to destroy pigmentation and boost collagen production like a Q-switched laser. Instead, picosecond laser emits ultra-short pulses of laser energy, vibrating the melanin in the treatment area and causing it to shatter. Once the pigment is broken into smaller pieces, the body can metabolize the pigmentation, resulting in an even, natural skin tone.
PicoToning vs. Picosure
Picosure is a type of picosecond laser created by the company Cynosure that uses picosecond technology for laser tattoo removal and to address many skin concerns, including pigmentation, acne scarring, sun spots, wrinkles, pore size, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The Picosure laser uses three different wavelengths (532 nm, 755 nm, and 1064 nm) for reducing signs of aging and tattoo removal. Regarding laser tattoo removal, the Picosure laser is highly effective at removing different colors, even the “sunset colors” that are notoriously difficult to eliminate. Picosure can also be used in the process of PicoToning, which is when pico technology is used to address skin pigmentation, such as age spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and acne scars.
PicoToning vs. Picosure side effects
The Picosure picosecond laser is a type of laser that can be used for PicoToning to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation on the skin’s surface. A significant advantage of PicoToning is that minimal side effects are associated with the treatment, and no downtime is required. Unlike other forms of laser technology, PicoToning lasers, such as Picosure, are non-ablative and do not rely on thermal reactions to destroy the pigmentation. As a result, no severe side effects are associated with the treatment. At most, some patients may experience mild redness and swelling for several hours post-treatment, which should fade independently. Dr. Green also recommends that patients practice strict sun avoidance after treatment by consistently applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 or staying indoors during the peak hours of sunlight between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Direct sun exposure can damage healthy skin and possibly result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Is Pico Tone the same as Picosure?
Pico Tone is a term to describe picosecond laser treatments designed to eliminate the appearance of discoloration on the skin’s surface. One type of picosecond laser used for PicoToning is the Picosure laser created by Cynosure. Picosure laser treatment is available at Dr. Green’s Upper East Side New York City office. The first step in determining if Picosure laser treatment is proper for you is to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Green, who will examine the treatment area and consider your aesthetic goals before generating an individualized treatment plan to meet your needs best. Most patients require 5-10 treatment sessions 4-8 weeks apart for the best results.
How does Pico Laser Toning work?
PicoToning laser skin rejuvenation works via applying a picosecond laser on the skin’s surface where pigmentation is visible. The laser emits ultra-short pulses of light energy that last for a picosecond (one trillionth of a second) and are highly concentrated in the treatment area. These short wavelengths of laser energy cause the melanin in the skin to vibrate and then shatter, destroying the pigmentation and allowing it to be metabolized by the body. The pressure waves the ultra-short pulses create also trigger the body’s natural healing response, boosting elastin and collagen production to rejuvenate the skin and improve skin texture and tone. These gentle pressure waves emitted by the laser also effectively spare the surrounding skin from harm, meaning there is no downtime associated with the treatment.
What is PicoToning on the face?
PicoToning is a highly effective treatment option for various skin concerns on the face, promoting an even skin tone and texture for total facial rejuvenation. The treatment effectively addresses signs of the natural aging process, including fine lines and wrinkles, by boosting collagen production in the treatment area for smoother, firmer skin. Additionally, PicoToning can eliminate hyperpigmentation, such as age spots and sun spots, by shattering the areas of concentrated melanin in the skin without causing any damage to the surrounding tissue. PicoToning can also help to reduce the appearance of acne scars and decrease pore size. Depending on your unique treatment goals, Dr. Green may pair PicoToning with other treatments, such as Botox to eliminate dynamic wrinkles, dermal fillers to reduce hollows and enhance facial contour, chemical peels for acne scars and hyperpigmentation, and Thermage for skin tightening.
Can Pico laser remove pigmentation?
Picosecond lasers are well known for their ability to gently eliminate pigmentation on the skin with minimal downtime and low risk of any serious adverse events. First FDA-approved for laser tattoo removal, the picosecond laser can remove skin discoloration in age spots, acne scars, birthmarks, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. With several different wavelengths of light available, picosecond lasers can safely remove tattoos of all colors on patients of all skin types. Rather than using thermal energy, the picosecond laser addresses discoloration via gentle pressure waves that shatter the pigmentation, allowing the body’s metabolic system to break down excess melanin. Most patients require 5-10 treatment sessions for the best results, with the effects of the treatment becoming visible approximately 2-3 weeks after each treatment session.
Does Pico Laser Toning work for melasma?
Melasma is a skin condition characterized by the formation of brown spots or blotches on the skin’s surface that appear most commonly on the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. Melasma can be a complex skin condition to treat, as some treatments can make melasma even worse. Before embarking on any treatment for melasma, it is essential to consult with an expert, board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Green, who recommends avoiding any form of laser treatment – including PicoToning treatment – for addressing melasma. Laser treatments can further entrench the pigmented cells, causing the condition to worsen rather than improve and making it even harder to eliminate. Instead, Dr. Green recommends alternative treatments for melasma, such as chemical peels, microneedling, Cosmelan peels, or mesopeels.
Is Pico Laser Toning right for your skin?
Pico Laser Toning is a safe and effective treatment for hyperpigmentation on all skin types. Many other lasers can be dangerous for patients with darker skin tones, who are more susceptible to laser burn and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. But PicoToning laser treatment gently eliminates areas of excess pigmentation without damaging the surrounding skin or tissue. Dr. Green will use the Picosure laser at 1064 nm for the best results when treating patients with darker skin tones. The first step in determining if PicoToning laser treatments are right for you is to schedule a consultation with expert dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.
How do I get started with PicoToning today?
PicoToning is the process of using picosecond laser technology to improve skin tone and texture. As we age and collagen production decreases, fine lines and wrinkles become etched into the skin, skin laxity increases, acne scars become more prominent, and evidence of sun damage manifests as brown spots on the face. Picosecond lasers emit ultra-short pulses of laser energy that shatter pigment cells and boost collagen production in the treatment area, creating smooth, clear, bright, and youthful-looking skin. PicoToning laser and other skin resurfacing laser treatments can quickly and efficiently address these skin concerns without downtime. Dr. Green in NYC offers cutting edge resurfacing laser treatments for targeting an array of skin concerns and achieving ideal skin rejuvenation results.
Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned board-certified dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience providing some of the world’s most discerning individuals with the best non-invasive cosmetic procedures, including skin resurfacing laser treatments. She is consistently identified as one of New York’s best dermatologists by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors for her dedication to her patients and expertise. When you consult with Dr. Green at her private dermatology office in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood, she will work with you to create a customized skin rejuvenation plan and select the laser treatment that best suits your skin type, skin tone, particular needs, and ideal aesthetic goals. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Green and learn more about PicoToning and other skin rejuvenation laser treatment options, call the NYC-based office at 212 535 3088 or contact us online today.