• Home
• Blog
• Laser Skin Treatment
• Is PicoToning laser treatment right for your skin?

Is PicoToning laser treatment right for your skin?

Looking to improve skin tone and texture with minimal to no downtime compared to traditional laser treatments? The PicoToning procedure with our new picosecond lasers may be the answer.

What does PicoToning do?

PicoToning refers to the way the laser delivers the energy, namely in extremely short bursts of picoseconds -trillionth of a second. By taking a laser pulse and fractionating it into hundreds of smaller micropulses, the picosecond laser is able to heat up tiny fractions of the skin during the procedure allowing the rest of the skin to rapidly heal in those tiny spots. Most patients only have a few hours of pink discoloration after each treatment and can go about their daily lives without interruption. With a series of monthly treatments, patients see significant improvement in the tone and texture of their skin. PicoToning evens skin tone and improves brown spots by breaking up melanin pigment in the skin. At the same time, the treatment improves fine lines and scars by stimulating collagen production. Given its gentle nature, PicoToning is safe for most skin types and may be the perfect choice for people who want to brighten and tighten their skin.

Is PicoToning an option for melasma?

Yes! PicoToning can help improve the appearance of melasma. Melasma is a skin condition that causes discolored brown patches on the face that worsen with sun exposure. It can be one of the most difficult skin conditions to treat. While we often start treatment with topical brighteners and bleaching creams, for some patients this does not lead to sufficient improvement. Because PicoToning is gentle on the skin, there is a lower risk of exacerbating melasma compared to other lightening laser treatments.

Is PicoToning an option for acne scarring?

Yes! PicoToning may be a good option for mild to moderate acne scarring in patients who are looking for minimal down time and/or have darker skin types. Piconing combined with the Focus Array is FDA-approved for the treatment of acne scarring. At least one study demonstrated a >24% improvement in acne scar volume after a series of picosecond treatments.

Is PicoToning safe for darker skin types?

Yes! PicoToning can be an ideal option for patients with darker skin types who are not good candidates for other lasers and devices. PicoToning has a lower risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation than other lasers.

Is PicoToning easily tolerated?

One study showed that all patients who underwent PicoToning treatment found it comfortable and easy to tolerate. The quick 15-20 minute treatment leaves the skin pink for a few hours, allowing patients to return to their regular activities practically immediately. Optimal results are seen after a series of 3-6 sessions.

PicoToning is an excellent laser treatment for individuals with busy schedules who want to improve discoloration, skin texture, and stubborn acne scars to look their very best!
SkinCare Physicians’ dermatologists are excited with the results they have seen with the procedure. To find out if PicoToning is right for you, schedule a consultation with one of our physicians.

Contributing author: Erika Hagstrom, MD