PicoWay Laser

The PicoWay laser is an advanced picosecond laser treatment designed to eliminate dark spots and unwanted tattoos and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars. Utilizing ultra-short pulses lasting just one trillionth of a second, the PicoWay laser targets pigmentation without damaging the surrounding skin. Unlike traditional lasers that rely on thermal energy to create controlled skin damage, the PicoWay works through a photoacoustic effect, which means no heat is generated during the procedure. This results in enhanced patient comfort, minimal downtime, and a reduced risk of adverse side effects. For optimal results and to avoid complications, it is essential to consult a board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Michele Green in NYC. If you’re bothered by skin concerns like dark spots, acne scars, fine lines, or unwanted tattoos, Dr. Green can help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

A safe, effective, and FDA-approved treatment, the PicoWay laser is growing in popularity for its unique ability to remove pigmentation within the skin. In fact, over 53,000 tattoo removal procedures are performed each year in the United States alone (source: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). The PicoWay laser is considered one of the most effective lasers for tattoo removal, capable of eliminating a wide range of ink colors, including sunset hues, blues, and greens. As we age, hyperpigmentation, such as age spots and melasma, becomes more prevalent due to sun exposure or hormonal changes. The PicoWay laser offers a safe and efficient solution for removing these pigments without harming surrounding tissue. Additionally, acne scars, which affect up to 20 million Americans annually, can be significantly reduced with the PicoWay by stimulating collagen and elastin production. If you are seeking to address dark spots, acne scars, fine lines, or unwanted tattoos, a consultation with expert dermatologist Dr. Michele Green is the first step toward clearer, rejuvenated skin.

Dr. Michele Green is a highly respected, internationally recognized, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with over 25 years of experience. She is renowned for offering some of the best non-invasive treatments available, including Fraxel and VBeam lasers, Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels, and microneedling. Consistently named one of NYC’s top dermatologists by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, Super Doctors, and The New York Times, Dr. Green is celebrated for her commitment to patient care and expertise. When you visit Dr. Green’s private dermatology office in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, she will collaborate with you to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and aesthetic goals.

What is PicoWay laser treatment?

PicoWay is a revolutionary laser treatment that uses short picosecond pulses to treat various skin conditions, including hyperpigmentation, sun spots, fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, Nevus of Ota, Melasma, and unwanted tattoos. The PicoWay system differs from other laser treatments in its energy delivery, which triggers collagen production and destroys pigmentation without damaging the skin’s surface. While other lasers will use heat energy – or a photothermal effect – to achieve controlled damage to the treatment area, the PicoWay laser’s picosecond pulses result in a photoacoustic effect, making it one of the safest treatment options. The short pulse duration – lasting a trillionth of a second – and the photoacoustic effect at the treated area allow for complete, anti-aging skin rejuvenation in fewer treatments with little to no downtime.

Who makes the PicoWay laser?

The PicoWay laser was designed and developed by Candela, an international company based in Marlborough, Massachusetts, with many offices worldwide. Established in 1970, Candela’s mission has been to develop science-backed cosmetic and medical technology. In addition to the PicoWay laser, Candela has developed the eMatrix and Vbeam lasers, revolutionary treatments for skin rejuvenation. According to a statement made by Candela, following the FDA approval to treat Melasma, their PicoWay laser is the most FDA-cleared picosecond laser available.

What does PicoWay laser do?

The PicoWay laser uses innovative technology to treat a range of skin conditions, including tattoo removal, hyperpigmentation, melasma, fine lines, and acne scars. It fires off laser pulses at picosecond intervals, one trillionth of a second, which breaks down pigment into tiny particles that the body can easily remove. The laser pulses break down the pigment through photoacoustic energy. The photoacoustic effect occurs when light energy that is absorbed gets converted into sound waves, unlike the photothermal effect, where the energy is converted to heat. This process causes less damage to the skin surrounding the pigment, allowing the PicoWay laser to have fewer side effects. Additionally, the photoacoustic effect promotes collagen production to improve acne scars, fine lines, and wrinkles.

What is PicoWay Laser for tattoo removal?

While many patients are pleased with their tattoos, some find that their tattoos are a permanent, painful reminder of a bad experience or they have outgrown their tattoos. Once the ink has been inserted into the dermis, the tattoo is very challenging to remove, as the particle size of the pigment in tattoo ink is significant and, therefore, not easily broken down by the body’s natural processes. Luckily, the PicoWay Laser is highly effective at removing unwanted tattoos for all skin types. FDA-approved for laser tattoo removal, the PicoWay laser emits ultra-short pulses that destroy the pigmentation in the tattoo, allowing the body to remove the small particles. Compared to traditional Q-switched lasers, the PicoWay laser’s short pulses can cause the tattoo to fade away thoroughly after only a few treatment sessions. In contrast, a Q-switched laser requires more treatment sessions. Where more traditional laser treatments would only be able to cause the tattoo to fade, the PicoWay laser completely eliminates the tattoo for optimal results. The Picosecond laser also has a handpiece that emits laser pulses at various wavelengths, meaning that historically difficult-to-remove tattoo colors, such as greens and blues, can be easily removed. The Picoway laser system can remove a multitude of ink colors, including red, yellow, and orange tattoos at 532 nm wavelength, blue and green tattoos at 730 nm wavelength, and black, brown, and purple at 1064 nm wavelength.

What is PicoWay Resolve good for?

PicoWay Resolve and PicoWay Resolve Fusion are two types of picosecond lasers within the PicoWay family of photoacoustic lasers, and the two differ in their energy delivery and handpiece construction. The PicoWay Resolve Fusion best treats benign pigmented lesions, meaning dark spots that are not harmful to the body, with a handpiece that can cover up to five times more of the skin per application than the PicoWay Resolve. Both the PicoWay Resolve and the PicoWay Resolve Fusion are safe and effective for all skin types and help rejuvenate the skin, improving skin tone and texture. The PicoWay lasers are suitable for treating the following skin conditions:

• Dark spots, discoloration, or hyperpigmentation
• Age spots
• Freckles
• Sun damage
• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Acne scars
• Unwanted tattoo removal

How does PicoWay laser work?

The PicoWay laser is a picosecond laser that emits short picosecond pulses of light at the treatment area, penetrating the skin’s dermal layer without affecting the epidermis, leaving the skin’s surface completely undamaged. While traditional lasers will use thermal – or heat – energy, the PicoWay laser’s quick pulses are converted into photoacoustic energy, which causes controlled damage to the treatment area more gently than thermal energy. The beams from the picosecond pulse shatter the pigment found at the treatment site, whether it is hyperpigmentation due to sun damage, Melasma, or an unwanted tattoo. The shattered pigment is then broken down further by the body’s natural healing processes and removed from the skin. The controlled damage from the PicoWay laser also triggers the body’s natural healing response, which boosts the production of the structural proteins collagen and elastin, helping to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars.

The procedure for receiving PicoWay laser treatment is simple, quick, effective, and safe when performed by an expert, board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Green. You will begin the treatment process by having an initial consultation with Dr. Green, where she will examine the treatment area, and you will discuss your treatment goals. If PicoWay laser treatment is the best treatment option to meet your needs, you will schedule an in-person appointment for treatment.

One hour before the treatment, a topical numbing cream will be applied to the treatment area to decrease any discomfort you may feel during the treatment. When you arrive for the treatment, the numbing cream will be cleaned off, and photographs will be taken for your medical chart before the treatment is performed. The procedure itself is quick and easy to perform, generally taking between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the size and scope of the treatment area. Patients may experience redness following the treatment, but no downtime is necessary, and patients can immediately return to their regularly scheduled activities.

What to do after PicoWay laser treatment

PicoWay laser treatment is highly effective and safer for the skin than traditional lasers, as the picosecond pulses penetrate the dermal layer of skin while leaving the skin’s surface unharmed. As a result, no downtime is needed after the procedure, and patients can return to most regular activities. Some patients may experience redness and mild skin irritation for several hours or days after treatment, so Dr. Green recommends the following aftercare instructions: patients should avoid strenuous activity and extreme heat, such as saunas, for a few days after treatment. Patients should use gentle skincare products that hydrate the skin, avoiding products with irritants such as fragrance, alcohol, or sulfates. Additionally, patients should withhold from treatments with retinoids, exfoliants, or chemical peels. The most important skincare to practice after a laser treatment is strict sun avoidance by wearing a hat and sunscreen with SPF 30+ when outside.

What to expect after PicoWay laser treatment

The PicoWay laser treatment is associated with mild side effects that can appear directly after treatment and typically resolve without intervention within several hours to several days. These side effects include:

• Redness
• Skin irritation
• Swelling
• Scabbing

Dark spots may start to peel or scab during the healing process within the first week after treatment, which is expected. Avoid scratching or picking at peeling skin; it will come off naturally, revealing new, brighter, more even skin.

Does PicoWay laser hurt?

The PicoWay laser is a safe and effective treatment for hyperpigmentation, discoloration, fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and unwanted tattoos that involves minimal discomfort and no downtime. During treatment, the PicoWay laser emits ultra-short pulses of laser energy that destroy pigmentation in the dermis without affecting the outer layer of skin, which means that treatment works “from the inside out” without causing any pain or adverse events. Unlike more traditional lasers, the PicoWay laser does not involve thermal energy, allowing optimal results without any associated pain or potential damage to the skin. For more sensitive patients, a topical anesthetic can be applied one hour before treatment to increase patient comfort during the procedure. Any redness or irritation that appears in the treatment area is expected to subside within several hours of treatment.

Is the PicoWay laser safe?

Yes! The PicoWay laser is a safe and effective treatment for various skin concerns. In 2014, the PicoWay laser received its first FDA approval, meaning that it has undergone extensive clinical study and is deemed safe and effective. The PicoWay laser can safely eliminate the appearance of dark spots, Melasma, and unwanted tattoos on a wide range of skin types using photoacoustic energy. Many traditional lasers that use ablative or thermal energy are unsafe for patients with darker skin tones, as they are at a higher risk of laser burn or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The Candela PicoWay laser, however, is safe for patients with darker skin tones when used on the 1064 nm wavelength to remove black, brown, green, blue, or purple tattoos, reduce the appearance of Melasma, address Nevus of Ota, and eliminate benign pigmented lesions.

Does PicoWay work for Melasma and dark spots?

In March of 2023, Candela announced that the PicoWay laser had received FDA approval to treat Melasma, a skin condition characterized by the development of brown or grey spots on the face. Melasma is typically a skin condition that is difficult to predict and manage, as few treatment options have proven effective. Melasma occurs due to an overproduction of the pigment melanin and often appears on the forehead, upper lip, chin, and cheeks. The risk factors for developing the skin condition can include hormone fluctuations, such as those associated with pregnancy, which is why it is sometimes referred to as a “pregnancy mask.” A prevalent condition, Melasma occurs in between 15-50% of pregnant women and 1.5-33% of the general population. With the PicoWay laser, however, the effects of Melasma can be more easily managed by eliminating the dark spots as they form on the face with the 1064 nm handpiece.

In addition to treating melasma, the PicoWay picosecond laser is FDA-approved specifically for treating dark spots on the face. Dark spots are a prevalent skin condition that can form due to sun exposure or hormone fluctuation. They are often a tell-tale sign of the natural aging process and are sometimes referred to as sun spots or age spots. The specific wavelength of picosecond beams will depend on each patient, though dark spots can be treated with the 532 nm beam, 730nm beam, and 1064 nm beam. When applied to the treatment area, the PicoWay laser emits short picosecond pulses that shatter the pigmentation in the dermal layer of the skin, causing the dark spots to fade away.

Which pico laser is best for hyperpigmentation?

Many patients want to know which pico laser treats hyperpigmentation the best, and the answer is that it depends. None of the available pico lasers are inherently better than others for treating hyperpigmentation. All available pico lasers can improve hyperpigmentation through similar processes, with the differences being their power, pulse duration, and wavelength settings. Ultimately, however, the best pico laser treatment depends on the doctor performing the treatment rather than the specific pico laser used. An experienced dermatologist, such as Dr. Green, will create an individualized treatment plan to treat your hyperpigmentation, providing you with the clear, even complexion you desire.

How much is PicoWay laser treatment?

The cost of PicoWay laser treatment depends on several factors, including the type of institution you receive treatment, your geographic location, and the size and scope of the treatment area. Treatment will be more expensive at a board-certified dermatologist’s office compared to a medspa, where a nurse or aesthetician may be performing the treatment. While institutions such as MedSpas may have specials and deals that make treatment less expensive, the procedure may not be as effective as receiving the treatment from a board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Green. Seeking treatment from an expert dermatologist may cost more, but the effectiveness of treatment is higher, and the risk of adverse events is lower. It is always recommended to see a board-certified dermatologist to avoid any adverse side effects or complications. The size and scope of the treatment area also play a role in determining the total cost of the procedure, as treating a larger surface area will likely increase the price. After your initial consultation with Dr. Green, where she will examine the treatment area, her office can estimate the total treatment cost based on her evaluation.

Can the Pico laser cause breakouts?

The PicoWay laser has a few mild side effects and is expected to resolve within a few hours or days of receiving the procedure. Patients may experience redness, irritation, or swelling in the treatment area directly after treatment, but these side effects will go away without intervention. Acne breakouts are not a side effect associated with the PicoWay laser, though redness and irritation on the skin’s surface may take on the appearance of an acne breakout. If you start to experience acne breakouts, then you should consult with an expert board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Green. After evaluating your acne, Dr. Green will prescribe a treatment regimen that takes advantage of prescription medications, in-office procedures, and specially formulated skincare products.

What type of laser is PicoWay?

The PicoWay laser is a picosecond laser that emits short picosecond pulses that last a trillionth of a second each, resulting in a photoacoustic effect that destroys pigment cells without thermal energy, meaning the skin does not heat up, minimizing the risk of skin damage since the treatment works “from the inside out.” Additionally, the short pulses, which can be emitted at different wavelengths, including 532 nm, 730 nm, and 1064 nm, trigger the body’s natural healing response, which boosts the production of the structural proteins collagen and elastin, allowing the laser treatment to rejuvenate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars.

Is PicoWay or Picosure better?

A common question asked is which picosecond laser is better, PicoWay or Picosure? The answer is that neither treatment is inherently “better” than the other, though they are used for similar purposes. Similarly to the PicoWay laser, the Picosure laser produced by Cynosure uses picosecond technology to address hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and unwanted tattoos. Both emit short picosecond pulses that damage pigmentation without heating the skin. The PicoWay laser is more powerful than the Picosure laser and can deliver different wavelengths of energy without needing to change the handpiece.

Is PicoWay the same as IPL?

No. The PicoWay laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) are unique procedures that can treat a range of skin concerns. PicoWay emits light in extremely short bursts, allowing for a more focused and intense disruption of pigment particles with minimal damage to surrounding tissues. The focused light energy can lead to the removal of pigmented lesions, including deeper or more resistant types of hyperpigmentation. In contrast, IPL delivers multiple wavelengths of light with each pulse, making it versatile in targeting a range of pigmentations in the skin. This makes it effective for treating a wide range of superficial hyperpigmentation issues. However, it is generally less effective for deeper or denser pigmentation.

How do I get started with PicoWay laser treatment today?

Dr. Michele Green is a world leader in cosmetic dermatology, including laser tattoo removal. The PicoWay laser is a highly effective treatment for various skin conditions, including discoloration, increasing collagen synthesis, fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, freckles, and unwanted tattoos. The picosecond laser emits short pulses at different wavelengths that destroy pigmentation without damaging the surrounding skin and trigger collagen and elastin production for fully rejuvenated skin. If you struggle with dark spots or acne scars or wish to remove a tattoo, expert, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green has many treatment options available.

Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience providing some of the world’s most discerning individuals with the best non-invasive treatment options available. Dr. Green takes a holistic approach and embraces a less-is-more philosophy regarding facial rejuvenation, customizing each patient’s treatment plan to include a combination of in-office cosmetic procedures and specially formulated skincare products that are best suited to their particular skin concerns and aesthetic goals. Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, New York Magazine, and the New York Times consistently identify Dr. Green as one of New York City’s best dermatologists for her dedication to her patients and expertise. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Green and learn more about PicoWay and other skin rejuvenation laser treatment options, call the NYC-based office at 212 535 3088 or contact us online today.