Pigmentation Care

Pigmentation Treatment Seoul | Pico, Spectra & Genesis-Style Toning

If you are weighing pico, Hollywood Spectra, and Genesis-style toning, the real questions are diagnosis accuracy, settings safety on Asian skin, and how the protocol fits your long-term plan.

Reviewed by Dr. SangYoul Yun

Board-certified Dermatologist · Chief Director · AAD Member

Overview

Pigmentation and melasma treatment in Gangnam by a board-certified dermatologist. Pico, Hollywood Spectra, and Genesis-style toning protocols tuned for Asian skin (Fitzpatrick III–IV).

Best for

melasma
solar lentigines (검버섯)
freckles
post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
ABNOM (acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules)
uneven tone and accumulated sun damage

Suited for

patients wanting a non-aggressive, conservative pigmentation plan
Asian skin (Fitzpatrick III–IV) where rebound risk is high
patients with prior failed laser treatment or PIH history
international travellers needing planning around 1-week recovery on CO2-treated lesions

Duration: 5–40 min (varies by device)
Sessions: 5–10 across 2–4 week intervals (melasma)
Downtime: Minimal for pico/Spectra; ~1 week if CO2 portion used
Peak result: 8–12 weeks after course completion

Timeline

Immediately post
Mild erythema; possible faint frosting on treated lentigines that resolves within hours.
Day 1–3
Lentigines may darken briefly and form a microcrust before flaking off; melasma areas usually show no immediate change.
Week 1–2
Gradual lightening of treated lentigines; melasma typically requires multiple sessions before visible change.
Month 1
Tone evens; texture begins to improve via the Genesis-style toning effect.
Month 2–3
Peak clearance; the maintenance phase begins.
Month 6–12
Maintenance toning every 4–8 weeks recommended 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 used at Delight: 532 nm (superficial pigment — freckles, lentigines), 1064 nm (Asian-skin-safe melasma toning + dermal pigment), 660 nm and 595 nm available for tattoo and ABNOM
Typical session: 10–15 min for face spots; 20–30 min for tattoo work
: Topical anesthesia not required for spot treatment
Repeat: 5–10 sessions for melasma protocols at 2–4 week intervals

Hollywood Spectra (Spectra XT)

LutronicFDA 510(k) cleared Q-switched Nd:YAG laser system

Key specs

Wavelengths: 1064 nm and 532 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG, nanosecond pulses (~5–10 ns)
: Laser Toning — low-fluence 1064 nm pulses delivered in multiple passes (sub-photothermolysis dose); selectively absorbed by melanosomes, gradually fragments melanin without ablating epidermis. Cornerstone of Asian-skin-safe melasma care.
: Carbon Peel ('Hollywood Peel') — thin carbon lotion applied to skin, absorbed into pores; 1064 nm Q-switched pulse selectively absorbed by carbon particles for controlled photoacoustic exfoliation, follicular debris and sebum clearance, immediate brightening. No downtime, immediately social.
Typical session: 5–10 minutes for combined toning + carbon peel
: No topical anesthesia required

Candela GentleMax Pro dual-wavelength laser system

GentleMax Pro (Genesis-style 1064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG mode)

CandelaFDA 510(k) cleared 755 nm Alexandrite + 1064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG dual-wavelength platform

Key specs

Toning mode: Genesis-style 1064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG, sub-purpuric protocol
: Mechanism — non-ablative; gently heats the upper dermis to ~40–45°C in micro-pulses across multiple passes
: Controlled mild hyperthermia stimulates fibroblast activity and new collagen synthesis, reduces dilated capillaries and diffuse erythema, and refines pore appearance and tone uniformity
: Does not directly fragment melanin; instead conditions the dermal canvas so pigment treatments deliver visibly cleaner results
: 755 nm Alexandrite mode targets superficial lentigines as a complementary treatment when surface pigment dominates
Typical session: 5–10 minutes
: No topical anesthesia required
Repeat: 1–2 week intervals

CO2 fractional laser

FDA 510(k) cleared fractional ablative CO2 (10,600 nm)

Key specs

: 10,600 nm ablative wavelength absorbed by tissue water
: Reserved for raised seborrheic keratoses and stubborn lentigines that pico cannot fully clear
Typical session: 10–20 minutes
Recovery: ~1 week (pinpoint crusting and erythema)
: Result effectively permanent for treated lesions, though new lesions can form with future sun exposure
: Strict broad-spectrum SPF 50+ post-treatment is non-negotiable

Process

01
Pigment type, depth, and rebound risk reviewed first — Wood's lamp, dermoscopy, and high-resolution photo analysis classify the pigment before any laser is selected.
02
The dermatologist evaluates whether PicoPlus, Spectra, GentleMax Pro 1064-LP, CO2, or a combination fits the diagnosis. Test spots may be performed for ABNOM, dermal melasma, or rebound-history patients.
03
Treatment settings (fluence, spot size, passes) and aftercare are explained before the session.
04
A long-term maintenance plan is discussed; rebound-prone patients (melasma, ABNOM) receive a written home protocol with sun-protection and topical regimen.

Aftercare

01First 24 hours
Mild redness possible. No exfoliants, no retinoids, no hot showers. Gentle cleanser only.
02Week 1
Avoid AHA/BHA, retinol, and physical scrubs. Strict broad-spectrum SPF 50+ reapplied every 2–3 hours (non-negotiable for melasma patients).
03Week 2–4
Resume actives gradually. Pigment-supportive topicals (tranexamic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C) reintroduced under dermatologist guidance.
04Long-term maintenance
Toning every 4–8 weeks for melasma-prone skin; oral tranexamic acid or glutathione considered case-by-case under dermatologist supervision.

FAQ

Is PicoPlus safe for Asian / Korean skin?

Yes. The picosecond pulse duration is shorter than the thermal relaxation time of melanosomes, so energy converts primarily into a photomechanical shockwave rather than heat. This thermal-sparing profile reduces post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation risk in Fitzpatrick III–V skin compared with older nanosecond Q-switched lasers, and is the reason pico is preferred for darker phototypes.

How is Hollywood Spectra different from a regular toning laser?

Spectra is a Q-switched Nd:YAG platform that supports two distinct treatments — low-fluence 1064 nm laser toning for melasma, and the Hollywood Carbon Peel using carbon-lotion-mediated photoacoustic exfoliation. The combination of these two on the same platform, performed in the same visit, is what produces the brightening Spectra is known for.

Will the GentleMax Pro 1064 long-pulsed mode remove my freckles?

Not directly. Genesis-style 1064 long-pulsed toning improves the dermal canvas and reduces background redness — it does not fragment melanin like pico does. For freckles and lentigines, PicoPlus 532 nm or the GentleMax Pro 755 nm Alexandrite mode is the right tool. The dermatologist combines these based on what your skin actually needs.

How many sessions until I see a difference?

Discrete lentigines often clear after 1–2 PicoPlus sessions. Melasma is a chronic condition requiring 5–10 toning sessions at 2–4 week intervals before peak clearance, with maintenance every 4–8 weeks afterwards. Single-session miracles are not realistic for melasma — that framing leads to over-aggressive treatment and rebound.

Can melasma come back after treatment?

Yes. Melasma is a managed condition, not a cure. Sun exposure, hormones, and inflammation can all trigger return even after good clearance. The standard rebound-prevention plan combines maintenance toning every 4–8 weeks, daily broad-spectrum SPF 50+, and pigment-supportive topicals (tranexamic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C) under dermatologist supervision.

Can I do PicoPlus and Spectra toning during one visit?

Yes — this is a common combination at Delight. PicoPlus addresses discrete pigmented lesions while Spectra handles diffuse melasma with low-fluence toning, and Carbon Peel can be added before a same-day flight or social event. The dermatologist plans the order and energy levels so the two treatments do not compound irritation.

Notice

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

Active skin infection or open wound in the target area
Use of isotretinoin within the last 6 months
Use of photosensitizing medications (some antibiotics, retinoids, St. John's Wort)
Pregnancy or breastfeeding (laser pigment treatment not studied — avoid as precaution)
History of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or keloid
Recent sun exposure or active tan within 4 weeks

For your visit

Pico-only sessions (PicoPlus + Spectra) leave minimal visible recovery — most patients socialise the same evening.
If CO2 is part of the plan for raised lesions, plan 1 week before any major event or flight home.
Carbon Peel can be added the same day before a flight without restriction.
Melasma protocols require a 2–3 month commitment; not suited to short-stay-only patients.

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]A Systematic Review of Picosecond Laser in Dermatology: Evidence and Recommendations. Lasers Surg Med (Wu DC et al., PMID 32282094) (2021).
[2]Successful and rapid treatment of blue and green tattoo pigment with a novel picosecond laser. Arch Dermatol (Brauer JA et al., PMID 22801616) (2012).
[3]Melasma treatment in Korean women using a 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with low pulse energy. Clin Exp Dermatol (Cho SB et al., PMID 19817757) (2009).
[4]Low-fluence Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (1,064 nm) laser for the treatment of facial melasma in Asians. Dermatol Surg (Wattanakrai P et al., PMID 20298254) (2010).
[5]Nonablative facial remodeling: erythema reduction and histologic evidence of new collagen formation using a 300-microsecond 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser. Arch Dermatol (Schmults CD, Phelps R, Goldberg DJ, PMID 15545547) (2004).
[6]Oral Tranexamic Acid for the Treatment of Melasma: A Review. Dermatol Surg (Bala HR et al., PMID 29677015) (2018).

Reviewed byDr. SangYoul Yun· Board-Certified Dermatologist · Mayo Clinic Trained · AAD Member· Last reviewed 2026-05-05

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