PicoWay Laser

The PicoWay laser is a revolutionary picosecond laser treatment for eliminating dark spots and unwanted tattoos, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars. Using ultra-short pulses, the PicoWay laser can destroy pigmentation at the treatment site without damaging any surrounding skin. Unlike many traditional lasers, which use thermal energy to cause controlled damage to the skin, the PicoWay has a photoacoustic effect, meaning no heat is generated during treatment. As a result, the PicoWay laser is associated with higher patient comfort during treatment, significantly less downtime, and a decreased risk of developing adverse events following treatment. It is always important to consult a board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Green in NYC, to guarantee optimal results and prevent unwanted side effects. If you are bothered by skin concerns such as fine lines, acne scars, dark spots, unwanted tattoos, or melasma, Dr. Green is here to help.

A safe, efficacious, and FDA-approved treatment, the PicoWay laser is in ever-increasing demand. As many as 53,000 tattoo removal procedures are performed annually in the United States (source: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). The PicoWay laser is considered one of the best treatments for removing unwanted tattoos, as it can eliminate many shades of tattoo ink, including sunset colors, blues, and greens. Age spots and hyperpigmentation become more common as we age, appearing on the skin due to sun exposure or changes in hormone levels. The PicoWay laser can safely and efficiently destroy pigment in the skin without damaging the surrounding tissue. Acne scarring is widespread, with as many as 20 million Americans experiencing acne scars yearly. By boosting collagen and elastin production, the PicoWay laser can reduce the appearance of acne scars in just a few treatment sessions. If you are experiencing discoloration, dark spots, unwanted tattoos, acne scars, or fine lines and wrinkles, begin your treatment by scheduling a consultation with expert dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.

Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with over 25 years of experience providing some of the world’s most discerning individuals with the best non-invasive treatment options, including laser treatments such as Fraxel and VBeam laser, Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels, microneedling, and more. She is consistently identified as one of NYC’s best dermatologists by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, Super Doctors, and the New York Times 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 treatment plan for rejuvenation that best suits your particular needs and personal aesthetic goals.

What is Picoway Laser for tattoo removal?

While some tattoos are lovely for life, others may be a permanent, painful reminder or simply outgrown. Once received, tattoos are very challenging to erase from the skin, 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, causing the tattoo to fade away thoroughly after only a few 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 sunset, can be easily removed. The Picoway laser system can remove 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 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 without downtime.

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 the Picoway laser work?

The PicoWay laser is a picosecond laser that emits short picosecond pulses at the treatment area, penetrating the skin’s dermal layer without affecting the dermis, 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, causing the pigment to be broken down by the body’s natural healing processes. 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. When you arrive at her dermatology office, Dr. Green will apply a topical numbing cream to decrease any discomfort you may feel during treatment. The procedure itself is quick and easy to perform, generally lasting 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 skincare instructions: patients should refrain from heavy physical activity for several days post-treatment and avoid extreme heat, such as hot tubs and saunas. Use gentle skincare products that hydrate the skin and avoid exfoliants, such as retinoids or chemical peels. Most importantly, patients should practice strict sun avoidance by always wearing sunscreen at least SPF 30 when outside.

What to expect after Picoway laser treatment

The PicoWay laser treatment is associated with mild side effects that may appear directly after treatment but typically resolve within several hours to several days. These side effects include:

• Redness
• Skin irritation
• Swelling
• Bleeding

Within the first week post-treatment, dark spots may start to peel or scab during the healing process, which is expected. Avoid scratching or picking at peeling skin, which will come off naturally, revealing new, brighter, more even skin.

Does the 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. When you first arrive for your PicoWay appointment, Dr. Green may apply a topical numbing cream to help increase patient comfort during the procedure. Any redness or irritation in the treatment area should subside within several hours of treatment.

Is the Picoway laser safe?

Using photoacoustic energy, the PIcoWay laser can safely eliminate the appearance of dark spots, Melasma, and unwanted tattoos on a wide range of skin types. 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. The PicoWay laser is also FDA-approved to treat all of these skin conditions, meaning that it has undergone extensive clinical study and is deemed safe and effective.

Can the Pico laser remove pigmentation?

One of the primary functions of the PicoWay laser is to remove pigmentation, which is when any dark spots appear on the surface of the skin. Pigmentation can occur due to various risk factors, including overexposure to the sun or hormonal shifts. These benign pigmented lesions are harmless but may be a source of stress or frustration when found on a prominent area of the body, such as the face. Luckily, patients do not need plastic surgery to remove pigmentation – the PicoWay laser is highly effective at erasing all forms of hyperpigmentation with only a few treatments. Once the dark spot has been destroyed, the treatment is permanent. However, new dark spots may form if patients remain unprotected from the sun. In that case, the treatment can be repeated.

Can the Pico laser cause breakouts?

The PicoWay laser does not have many adverse events associated with treatment; the most common side effects are mild and 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 do not last for long. 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 are also experiencing active acne breakouts, Dr. Green has many treatment options available at her dermatology office, including topical creams, chemical peels, and laser treatments.

Can you use Picoway laser for Melasma?

In March of 2023, Candela announced that the PicoWay laser had been approved 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 appears most commonly on the forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks. The risk factors for developing the skin condition can include hormone fluctuations, such as those associated with pregnancy, which is why the condition is often called “The Mask of Pregnancy.” 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.

Can you use Picoway laser for dark spots?

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 PicoWay picosecond laser is FDA-approved specifically for treating dark spots on the face. 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.

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. The treatment price can range from $1500-$4300, depending on where you go. 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. 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.

How much does a Picoway laser cost?

PIcoWay laser treatment is a procedure that needs to be performed in the office of an expert, board-certified dermatologist who has and is highly trained on the necessary equipment, such as Dr. Green. The laser, sold by the company Candela, cannot be purchased for home use and costs thousands of dollars. The cost of treatment can vary depending on the type of institution where you seek treatment and the surface area that needs to be treated. After your initial consultation with Dr. Green, where she will examine the treatment area, her office can estimate the total treatment cost better once she has reviewed the treatment area.

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 is not heated. This means there is a much lower 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 better than Picosure?

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. Neither treatment is inherently “better” than the other, though they are used for similar purposes.

Who makes the Picoway laser?

The PicoWay laser was created and produced by Candela, based in Marlborough, Massachusetts, with many offices worldwide. Established in 1970, Candela’s mission has been to develop science-backed cosmetic and medical technology, including picosecond laser technology, such as the PicoWay laser. 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.

How do I get started with Picoway laser treatment today?

The PicoWay laser is a highly effective treatment that can address various skin conditions, including discoloration on the skin, fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, freckles, and unwanted tattoos. The picosecond laser emits short pulses at different wavelengths to destroy pigmentation 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.

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. 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. When you consult with Dr. Green, she will work with you to develop a fully customized treatment plan that best addresses your specific concerns and overall aesthetic goals. 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.