COSMEDOCS
    Harley Street Doctors • Since 2007

    Medically reviewed by Dr Ahmed Haq, Medical Director, Cosmedocs Harley StreetGMC 6078057Last reviewed

    ← Laser Treatments

    Pico Laser

    Ultra-short pulse laser technology for pigmentation, acne scarring, and tattoo removal with minimal downtime.

    Book Consultation

    What Is Pico Laser?

    Pico laser is an advanced laser system that delivers energy in picosecond pulses — a thousand times shorter than traditional nanosecond lasers. This ultra-rapid delivery creates a predominantly photomechanical effect, breaking down pigment particles and stimulating collagen without excessive thermal damage.

    This mechanism makes Pico laser particularly effective for treating stubborn pigmentation, melasma, acne scarring, and tattoo ink across a wider range of skin types than older laser technologies. The reduced heat generation also means less downtime and a lower risk of complications.

    What Pico Laser Treats

    Age Spots & Sun DamageMelasmaPost-Inflammatory HyperpigmentationAcne ScarringEnlarged PoresTattoo RemovalUneven Skin ToneFine Lines

    Key Benefits

    Ultra-Short Pulses

    Picosecond technology shatters pigment into microscopic particles for faster clearance

    Minimal Downtime

    Most patients experience only mild redness for 24–48 hours after treatment

    Versatile

    Treats pigmentation, scarring, and tattoo ink across multiple skin tones

    Collagen Stimulation

    The photomechanical effect triggers natural collagen remodelling for improved texture

    What to Expect

    Your Pico laser journey starts with a thorough consultation where your doctor assesses your skin concern, type, and medical history. A treatment plan is created based on the specific condition being addressed.

    During treatment, you may feel a mild prickling sensation. Sessions typically last 15–30 minutes depending on the area and concern. Topical anaesthetic may be applied for comfort, particularly for tattoo removal.

    Immediately after treatment, mild redness and slight swelling are normal. For pigmentation, treated spots may darken temporarily before naturally shedding over 5–10 days, revealing clearer skin beneath.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Pico laser delivers energy in ultra-short bursts measured in picoseconds (trillionths of a second). This creates a photomechanical rather than photothermal effect, shattering pigment particles and stimulating collagen without excessive heat damage. This makes it safer across a broader range of skin types.

    For pigmentation concerns, 2–4 sessions are typically recommended. Acne scarring may require 3–6 sessions. Tattoo removal varies significantly based on ink colour, density, and depth — often requiring 6–12 sessions. Your doctor will outline a realistic treatment plan during consultation.

    Yes. Because Pico laser relies primarily on a photomechanical effect rather than heat, it carries a lower risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation compared to traditional Q-switched lasers. However, a thorough skin assessment is essential, and your doctor will determine suitability during consultation.

    Most patients describe a mild prickling or rubber band sensation during treatment. The speed of picosecond pulses means the sensation is brief. Topical anaesthetic may be applied for more sensitive areas or tattoo removal sessions.

    Downtime is minimal. Mild redness and slight swelling may occur for 24–48 hours. For pigmentation treatments, darkening of targeted spots is normal before they flake off naturally over 5–10 days. You can typically return to normal activities the same day.

    A Q-switched laser fires in nanoseconds and relies more on heat to break pigment down. Pico laser fires roughly a thousand times faster, so more of the work is mechanical and less of it is thermal. In practice that usually means fewer sessions for the same pigment load, less collateral heating of surrounding skin, and a lower risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation in mid-to-deep skin tones. It does not make the laser universally superior: for some dense black ink, a Q-switched device still has a role.

    Pico laser is not a treatment for active acne, laxity, volume loss or deep tethered scarring. Rolling and tethered scars respond better to subcision, microneedling or resurfacing; sagging is a lifting problem rather than a pigment problem. If your main concern is loose skin, Endolaser or thread lifting will serve you better, and we will say so at consultation rather than sell you a laser course.

    Daily broad-spectrum SPF 50 for at least four weeks, no picking or scrubbing of flaking pigment, no sunbeds or active sun exposure between sessions, and a pause on retinoids and acid exfoliants for around five days either side of treatment. Pigmentation results are lost faster to unprotected sun than to anything else.

    Pico laser can be used as part of a comprehensive melasma management strategy. Its low-energy toning mode may help reduce pigmentation without triggering rebound hyperpigmentation. However, melasma is a chronic condition and results vary. Your doctor will discuss realistic expectations and complementary approaches.

    Pico Versus Traditional Q-Switched Lasers

    Both devices remove pigment. The difference is how the energy is delivered, and that difference decides how many sessions you need and how much your skin has to recover from in between.

    Picosecond

    • Pulse measured in trillionths of a second
    • Predominantly photomechanical — pigment is fractured, not cooked
    • Less surrounding heat, so a lower risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
    • Typically fewer sessions for the same pigment load
    • Usable at conservative settings in mid-to-deep skin tones

    Nanosecond (Q-switched)

    • Pulse measured in billionths of a second
    • More thermal effect on the target and its surroundings
    • Higher risk of pigment rebound in reactive skin
    • Generally more sessions for stubborn pigment
    • Still valuable for some dense black tattoo ink

    Neither device is a shortcut. Pigment that is driven by hormones, inflammation or daily sun exposure will return unless the cause is managed alongside the laser — which is why our protocols pair treatment with prescription-grade topical care and strict photoprotection.

    What Pico Laser Will Not Do

    Truth first: Pico laser is a pigment and texture device. It does not lift, it does not replace lost volume, and it will not resolve active acne. If your concern is laxity along the jaw or neck, a fibre-laser tightening approach such as XL Endolaser or PDO thread lifting is the appropriate conversation.

    Deep, tethered or rolling scars usually need release and remodelling rather than pigment fragmentation, so we combine or substitute with microneedling, medical scar reduction or resurfacing.

    Melasma is a chronic, relapsing condition. Low-energy toning can help, but overtreatment reliably makes it worse. We treat it conservatively, review pigment response between sessions, and manage it as a long-term condition rather than a one-off fix — see our pigmentation and melasma pathway.

    Tattoo Removal: Realistic Expectations

    Ink clearance depends on colour, depth, density, layering and how well your lymphatic system clears fragmented pigment. Black and dark blue ink respond most predictably. Greens, turquoises and some yellows are far more stubborn, and cover-up work over old tattoos means two ink loads in the same skin.

    Sessions are spaced six to eight weeks apart so the body can clear the debris between treatments. Complete clearance is achievable for many tattoos, significant fading for most, and a small number of pigments never fully resolve. We will tell you which category we think yours falls into before you commit to a course.

    Safety, Suitability and Consent

    Every Pico course begins with a doctor-led skin assessment: Fitzpatrick typing, pigment history, previous laser or peel treatments, medication such as isotretinoin or photosensitising drugs, and any history of keloid scarring or cold sores. A patch test precedes a full-face course in reactive or deeper skin tones.

    Expected effects include redness, mild swelling, temporary darkening of treated pigment and light flaking. Less common risks — hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation rebound, blistering, textural change and, with tattoo removal, ink-specific paradoxical darkening — are discussed and documented before consent. Pigment that behaves unpredictably is reassessed rather than repeatedly treated.

    We do not treat unsuitable candidates to fill a diary. If your skin needs eight weeks of barrier repair and photoprotection before a laser goes near it, that is what we will recommend.

    Discover What Pico Laser Can Do for You

    Book a consultation to discuss your pigmentation, scarring, or tattoo removal goals. Our doctors will assess your skin and recommend the most appropriate Pico laser protocol.

    Book Consultation