How Pico Laser can help with pigmentation
This page looks at Pico Laser specifically for pigmentation, alongside the other technologies covered in our full pigmentation guide.
Quick answer
Pico Laser uses picosecond laser pulses that fragment pigment through a predominantly photoacoustic effect. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics it's considered for selected pigmentation needing a more targeted approach, alongside its main use for tattoo and PMU removal, rather than as a general first-line pigment treatment. Suitability for your pigment type is confirmed at consultation.
How Pico Laser works on pigmentation
Pico Laser's picosecond pulses and predominantly photoacoustic effect are explained on the treatment page; for pigmentation, this fast, fragmenting action is generally reserved for pigment that is denser or more clearly defined, where breaking it into smaller pieces for the body to clear is likely to be more effective than a broader, gentler approach.
It's used more selectively for pigmentation than for tattoo or PMU removal, its main applications, so your practitioner will look closely at your specific pigment before suggesting it.
Who Pico Laser suits for pigmentation (and when another option may fit better)
Pico Laser tends to be considered when pigmentation is well defined, has not responded to gentler approaches, or when a client is already having Pico treatment for tattoo or PMU removal nearby.
It is not typically the first suggestion for widespread, diffuse sun damage, where IPL or a course of DermaQuest peels may be more appropriate, or for complex pigment such as melasma, which needs particularly cautious handling. Your pigment colour, depth and skin type are all assessed before Pico is recommended.
What a course looks like at Naomi Waite Aesthetics
As with tattoo and PMU removal, a pigmentation plan using Pico Laser is built around your specific pigment at consultation, informed by the skin scanner where relevant. General session and spacing information for Pico Laser is set out on the treatment page; for pigmentation your practitioner will explain how your particular mark is expected to respond and over what kind of timeframe, without promising an exact number of sessions or a guaranteed result.
Pico Laser compared with other options for pigmentation
Pico Laser sits alongside IPL, Q-switched Nd:YAG and DermaQuest peels as pigmentation options at Naomi Waite Aesthetics; a short comparison is below.
Aftercare after Pico Laser for pigmentation
Full aftercare guidance for Pico Laser, including sun protection, is on the treatment page and should be followed in full. For pigmentation, the treated mark may look temporarily darker or show some flaking as fragmented pigment clears, and consistent SPF afterwards matters just as much as it does after tattoo removal, since UV exposure can trigger new pigment to form.
Frequently asked questions
A few questions clients ask about Pico Laser for pigmentation.
Related guides
Related guides on pigmentation and Pico Laser are linked below.
Book a consultation
Book a consultation to find out whether Pico Laser is appropriate for your pigmentation, or whether another option would suit your skin better.
Pico Laser and IPL Skin Rejuvenation for pigmentation, compared
| Pico Laser | IPL Skin Rejuvenation | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of energy | Picosecond laser pulses (predominantly photoacoustic effect) | Broad-spectrum filtered light (not a laser) |
| Best suited to | Denser or more clearly defined pigment | Lighter, diffuse pigment, often with redness or visible vessels |
| Also used for | Tattoo and PMU removal | Redness and visible vessels in the same course |
| Suitability | Confirmed at consultation based on pigment type and skin | Confirmed at consultation based on skin tone and pigment pattern |
Frequently asked questions
Pico Laser can help with selected pigmentation, particularly when the pigment is well defined, though it is used more selectively for pigment than it is for tattoo or PMU removal, its main applications. Whether it's the right choice, and how it might combine with other pigment treatments, depends on your specific pigment and skin, assessed at consultation.
This varies by pigment type and depth, and general guidance for Pico Laser is covered on the treatment page. Your practitioner will discuss a realistic plan for your pigmentation at consultation rather than quoting a fixed number in advance.
Suitability depends on your skin tone and the colour and depth of your pigment, which is why this is checked carefully at consultation before any pigmentation treatment with Pico Laser is agreed.
General sensation is covered on the Pico Laser treatment page. For pigmentation, most clients describe a similar experience to treatment on other pigmented areas, and your practitioner can talk you through what to expect for your skin.
Pigment is fragmented gradually and cleared by the body over time, so change is usually seen over subsequent weeks rather than immediately. Your practitioner will explain a realistic timeframe for your particular pigment at consultation.
Pico Laser's picosecond pulses suit denser, more clearly defined pigment, while IPL's broad-spectrum light tends to suit lighter, more diffuse discolouration, often alongside redness. Neither is universally better, and your practitioner will help you decide based on your pigment pattern at consultation.
Book Your Free Consultation
Tell us your goals. We'll tell you exactly what's possible and build a plan to get you there.