Pico Lasers for skin conditions| Dermatologist reviews

More from Dr Davin Lim
  / 101.skin  
.
Picolasers deliver an immense amount of energy over a short period of time. Most pico lasers have a pulse duration of between 300 to 900 picoseconds. A picosecond is an SI unit of time equal to 10−12 or 1⁄1 000 000 000 000 (one trillionth) of a second
.
Skin science: Pico lasers can be useful in the management of a range of dermatological conditions. They are first line for some, but not all conditions
.
I do love pico lasers, they are great for post inflammatory hyperpigmentation & treating dyschromia in ETHNIC & DARKER Skin types. They are used far too often for treating #melasma, atrophic acne scars & photorejuvenation in lighter skin types
.
.
The satisfaction rate may be higher than the efficacy rate. For example when pico was used for true acne scarring, the efficacy is extremely low (in the context of volumetric changes), however patients report high satisfaction in other aspects of skin, namely pores & general pigment (including PIH)
.
How we employ pico: PIH, resistant forms of #melasma, general dyschromia in darker skin types, Ota, Ito, pore sizing in ethnic skin, early acne scars with little volumetric loss. It is the laser of choice for skin of colour as it has a favourable benefit to risk ratio
.
When I still use nano: CALM, melasma, age spots & lentigines in skin type 1- 2 & some 3. Traumatic tattoo (very predictable), drug induced pigmentation (some)
.
What pico is NOT great for: Atrophic acne scars, melasma (I prefer a higher predictability), one session skin rejuvenation in lighter skin types (fractional laser does a much better job), in fact simple Jessner-TCA will outperform the most expensive pico laser in this context
.
.
Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist.
Brisbane, Australia
.
#dermatologist #picosure #picoway