Laser Dermatology

Pico Laser in Seoul

Pico laser covers a wide range of pigmentation concerns — from stubborn melasma to stamp-like freckles, post-acne dark marks, and tattoo ink — but the correct device setting, fluence, and session spacing depend on the type of pigment and your skin tone. A diagnosis-first approach prevents the rebound pigmentation that happens when the wrong protocol is used.

Board-Certified

Dermatologist

AAD International Fellow

IFAAD

FDA-cleared

Where applicable

MFDS-registered

Korean MoH&W

Reviewed personally by Dr. SangYoul Yun

Board-certified Dermatologist · AAD International Fellow (IFAAD) · IFAAD-verified

Overview

Picosecond laser in Seoul by a board-certified dermatologist for melasma, freckles, sun spots, post-acne pigmentation, and tattoo removal.

Best for

melasma and dermal pigmentation (requires conservative settings)
freckles, lentigines, and sun spots
post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) after acne
Hori's nevus and ABNOM (Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-like Macules)
tattoo pigment (black, red, green, blue) — multi-session protocol
overall dull tone and uneven skin texture

Suited for

patients with specific, diagnosable pigmentation (not generic 'dull skin')
patients whose prior laser treatment caused rebound pigmentation — picosecond protocols are often safer
patients with Asian skin types (Fitzpatrick III–IV) who need lower-risk pigment targeting
patients removing old or fading tattoos
international travelers planning a 3–5 day Seoul visit for pigment-focused treatment

Duration: 10-15 min (face); 20-30 min (tattoo)
Sessions: 5-10 typical; melasma 4-8 / 2-4 wk; tattoo 6-10+ / 6-8 wk
Downtime: None for toning; 5-7 days microcrusts for ablative
Peak result: 3-6 months across course

Timeline

Immediately post (toning)
Mild redness for 30 minutes to a few hours. No wound for toning settings. Makeup possible the next day.
Immediately post (ablative)
Pin-point microcrusts begin forming on treated lesions (freckles / tattoo); surrounding redness may persist 24-48 hours.
1 week
Microcrusts (ablative) flake off naturally over 5-7 days. Toning sessions show no visible change at this point — cumulative effect develops over the course.
1 month
Initial fade visible on superficial pigmentation (freckles, sun spots). Melasma typically requires multiple sessions before clear improvement.
3 months (mid-course)
Cumulative pigment clearance becomes apparent for melasma protocols. Tattoo pigment continues breaking down between sessions.
6 months
Most pigment-focused programs reach plateau. Maintenance toning every 4-8 weeks supports long-term tone control for melasma-prone skin.

Devices

PicoPlus

LutronicFDA 510(k) cleared picosecond laser; multiple clearances for benign pigmented lesions and tattoo removal

Key specs

: Picosecond pulse duration (~450 ps) — shorter than the thermal relaxation time of melanosomes
: Energy converts primarily into a photomechanical (photoacoustic) shockwave rather than heat
: Shockwave fractures melanin into sub-micron particles cleared by macrophages, with significantly less collateral thermal injury than nanosecond Q-switched lasers
: Thermal-sparing profile makes it preferred for darker (Fitzpatrick III–V) skin where PIH risk is elevated
Wavelengths: 532 nm (superficial pigment — freckles, lentigines), 1064 nm (Asian-skin-safe melasma toning + dermal pigment), 660 nm and 595 nm (tattoo + ABNOM)
Typical session: 10-15 min for face pigmentation; 20-30 min for tattoo work
: Topical anesthesia not required for standard toning settings
Repeat: 5-10 sessions overall; melasma protocols 4-8 sessions at 2-4 week intervals

Process

01
The consultation clarifies whether Pico laser is the right device — or whether a different laser, topical, or combination protocol is more appropriate for your specific pigmentation type.
02
Skin tone, pigmentation depth (epidermal vs dermal), and prior laser history are reviewed before settings are chosen.
03
For melasma, conservative fractional toning settings are used over multiple sessions rather than aggressive single-visit treatment to avoid rebound.
04
Post-treatment sun protection, skincare, and expected timeline are explained in detail before the session begins.

“Injectables and energy devices are performed by physicians — never delegated to non-physician staff. The clinic is led by a board-certified dermatologist.”
— Dr. SangYoul Yun · Clinic Director · Board-Certified Dermatologist · AAD IFAAD

Before / After

Pigmentation laser treatment — Before — Pigmentation laser treatment

Pigmentation laser treatment — After — Pigmentation laser treatment

🔒 Photos published only with prior written consent. Anonymized by default. You may revoke consent at any time.

Cases shown are Fitzpatrick III–IV (East Asian skin). Results in lighter (I–II) or darker (V–VI) skin types may differ — discussed at consultation.

Aftercare

First 24 hours
Toning settings — no special restrictions; avoid hot showers, saunas, vigorous exercise. Ablative settings — apply prescribed soothing balm; do not pick crusts.
Days 1-7 (ablative only)
Microcrusts flake off naturally over 5-7 days. Do NOT pick or peel — premature removal increases PIH risk. Cleanse gently; broad-spectrum SPF 50+ daily.
Weeks 2-4
Strict sun protection (SPF 50+, hat, shade). Avoid retinoids and exfoliating acids until full re-epithelialization. Resume normal skincare gradually.
Long-term (melasma)
Daily SPF, vitamin C / niacinamide topicals, and adherence to maintenance toning every 4-8 weeks if melasma-prone.

FAQ

Does Pico laser remove all pigmentation in one visit?

No. Stamp-like freckles and small lentigines may fade significantly after 1–2 sessions, but melasma, ABNOM, and Hori's nevus typically require 4–8 sessions spaced weeks apart for gradual, safe improvement. Single-visit 'complete removal' claims are inconsistent with how pigment biology actually works.

Is Pico laser always better than Q-switched or IPL for pigmentation?

Not automatically. Picosecond lasers deliver energy in much shorter pulses (trillionths of a second) which creates more photoacoustic shattering of pigment and less thermal damage — a theoretical advantage. But for superficial pigmentation, long-pulse and Q-switched devices often work equally well at lower cost. The correct device depends on your pigment type and skin tone, not marketing.

Can Pico laser make melasma worse?

Yes, if the settings are wrong. Melasma is notoriously prone to rebound after laser treatment, especially with aggressive fluence on Fitzpatrick III–IV skin. Conservative low-fluence fractional toning protocols are the current standard, and combining with oral or topical tranexamic acid improves outcomes. This is why specialist evaluation matters before any pigment laser on Asian skin.

How does Pico laser treat tattoos differently than older lasers?

Picosecond lasers produce shorter, more intense pulses than Q-switched lasers, which more efficiently shatters tattoo pigment into smaller particles that the body can clear. Clinical data suggests fewer sessions are typically needed, particularly for difficult colors like green and blue. Old, faded black tattoos respond well; fresh, saturated tattoos still require 6–10+ sessions spaced 6–8 weeks apart.

What is the downtime and recovery like?

For toning-level treatment: minimal — mild redness for 30 minutes to a few hours, you can wear makeup the next day. For fractional or ablative settings on freckles or tattoo: crusting for 5–10 days, scabs fall off naturally, followed by 2–4 weeks of pink new skin. Strict sun protection is required for at least 4 weeks after any pigment laser.

How long is a Pico laser session, and is anesthesia needed?

An individual Pico laser pass typically takes about 10-15 minutes. Topical numbing cream is generally not required for standard toning-level treatment, although the dermatologist may apply it for more aggressive ablative settings on freckles or tattoo work depending on patient comfort.

How many Pico laser sessions are typically planned overall?

Most pigment-focused programs are planned around 5-10 sessions in total, with exact spacing and count adjusted to pigment type — for example, melasma protocols typically run 4-8 sessions and saturated tattoos can require 6-10+ sessions, while small superficial freckles may fade significantly in 1-2 sessions.

Notice

Tell the dermatologist at consultation if any of the following apply.

Active skin infection or open wound in the treatment area
Pregnancy or lactation (relative — elective laser deferred)
Recent isotretinoin use within 1 month per 2017 ASDS consensus for non-ablative laser (PicoPlus is non-ablative); 6-month wait remains only for fully ablative resurfacing
Active herpes simplex in the treatment zone (requires antiviral prophylaxis before treatment)
Photosensitizing medication use (review with dermatologist before treatment)
Recent tan or sun exposure within 4 weeks on the treatment area (increased PIH risk)

For your visit

Each Pico laser pass typically takes about 10-15 minutes; topical numbing cream is generally not required.
Most pigment-focused programs run 5-10 sessions overall, with the exact spacing and count adjusted to pigment type.
Mild redness lasts 30 minutes to a few hours for toning settings; ablative settings may crust for 5–7 days.
Melasma protocols typically require 4–8 sessions spaced 2–4 weeks apart — plan multiple trips or accept that a single visit starts a longer treatment arc.
Strict SPF 50+ sun protection is non-negotiable after any pigment laser — bring broad-spectrum sunscreen for the remainder of your trip.
Avoid saunas, hot yoga, and intense sun exposure for at least 1 week after treatment.

References

The clinical claims on this page — device specs, efficacy timelines, safety profile — are supported by the primary sources below. Each citation links to the original paper or regulatory record.1 ref

[1]A Systematic Review of Picosecond Laser in Dermatology: Evidence and Recommendations. Lasers Surg Med (Wu DC et al.) (2021).

Reviewed byDr. SangYoul Yun· Board-Certified Dermatologist · AAD International Fellow (IFAAD)· Last reviewed 2026-05-06

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Notice: Individual results may vary depending on skin condition, treatment history, and recovery factors. All treatment plans are determined through individual consultation with a board-certified dermatologist. The information on this page is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice or guarantee specific outcomes.

Next Step

Laser and pigment results depend on your skin type — a short message (a photo helps) tells us whether Pico Laser is the right protocol for you.

Even a short first message can help you check suitability, timing, and what to compare next before you book.

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