Who doesn’t like spotless and bright skin? Clear skin not only gives a person confidence but is also a sign of good health. Unfortunately, with aging and exposure to harsh sunlight and pollutants, the skin on our face gets naturally blemished. Acne scars, dark spots, wrinkles are common skin imperfections seen among the populace. Sometimes people are born with large birthmarks or develop skin conditions like melasma or age spots on their later years. Skin imperfections can reduce a person’s confidence and cause a general sense of dissatisfaction about their appearance.
The occurrence of spots or coloured patches are due to excess skin pigments, which are called melanin. Thanks to advancements in skin treatment technology, unwanted pigmentation can be reversed. One such option, the Pico laser, is a pigment laser approved for use in 2016. Pico laser is widely available in Singapore, and it is a non-surgical and non-invasive treatment modality. It operates in ultrashort picosecond pulses and can be used to treat a wide array of skin conditions. The cost of Pico laser treatment in Singapore depends on certain factors and varies from $250- $600.
What Are Pico Lasers And How Do They Work?
Pico lasers are a non-ablative type of laser. They work by sending picosecond pulses of energy to targeted areas of the skin. This produces a photoacoustic shockwave that breaks apart unwanted pigments into smaller fragments. Subsequently, these are absorbed by the body and discharged by the lymphatic system as waste. The ability of Pico lasers to lighten pigmentation is used to treat scars, dark spots, freckles, etc.
Pico lasers can also stimulate collagen production in the skin. Collagen leads to a tighter and smoother skin texture. Thus, Pico lasers can be used to treat wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin.
The Benefits Of Pico Laser Over Other Treatment Options
Safer
The predecessor to Pico lasers, the Q-Switched laser, is also used to remove excess pigments. It emits pulses per nanosecond. Since the time of exposure to the laser is more, Q-Switched lasers can damage the surrounding skin. On the other hand, Pico lasers are only exposed to the skin for mere picoseconds. Shorter pulses generate less heat, and the heat produced is dissipated so quickly that the surrounding skin has much lesser chance to absorb it and sustain unnecessary damaged. This is one key advantage of Pico laser over traditional laser technologies.
Fewer Sessions Needed
Since Pico lasers in Singapore have the unique property of delivering energy in one trillionth of a second, they can disrupt pigment molecules into much smaller fragments than regular lasers at a faster speed. These smaller fragments can be cleared up faster. The ultrashort pulses are also very energy efficient, removing more pigments using less energy than longer wavelength pulses. Therefore, with Pico laser, fewer treatment sessions are needed to see results.
Can Treat A Wide Array Of Conditions
Pico lasers are effective for all skin types, unlike the Q-Switched laser. Pico lasers are effective in dealing with stubborn pigmentation in conditions like melasma. It is also handy to get rid of unwanted tattoos. Pico lasers in Singapore offer a wider range of tattoo removal options. Unlike regular lasers with only a single wavelength, Pico lasers have multiple wavelengths that can get rid of brighter ink pigments (red, yellow, and orange) even if they are in the deeper layers of the skin.
Pico lasers also stimulate collagen production and remodeling. They can be used to treat almost all types of acne scars. They have a unique way of treating scar tissue, where the focused beams create air bubbles within outer layers of skin that helps lift tethered scars. Additionally, they can cause light-induced optical breakdown, which is helpful in treating acne scars, wrinkles, and fine lines.
Pico lasers have a significantly reduced risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This is because the laser’s ultrashort pulses depend on photomechanical disruption rather than heat to shatter the pigments.
Overall, Pico laser treatment provides a safe and efficacious way to get rid of skin imperfections.
Am I A Suitable Candidate?
Below is a list of skin conditions Pico laser can be used for-
Image With Skin Condition
- Remove skin pigmentation
- Sunspots
- Freckles
- Birthmarks of various colors
- Stubborn melasma
- Stains on the skin due to medication, sclerotherapy, iron injections
- Skin rejuvenation
- Acne scars
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Pores
- Skin toning
- Redness
- Red acne scars (post-inflammatory erythema)
- Facial flushing
- Rosacea
- Tattoo removal (tattoos must be over six months old)
- Professional and amateur tattoos
- Gravel tattoos
Pico laser treatment in Singapore may not be suitable for individuals who:
- Are taking acne medication (e.g.: Accutane) within the past six months
- Have seizures triggered by light
- Have a history of abnormal scarring called “keloids”
- Have active skin conditions at the treatment site, such as active acne
Procedure Of Pico Laser Treatment In Singapore
Initially, the patient will consult the doctor, who will determine the specifics of the procedure that will best suit the patient.
Pre-Procedure Precautions
Patients should avoid any tanning procedures or applying tanning creams four weeks before the procedure. They should wear broad-spectrum sunscreen as well. Just before the procedure, patients should remove all creams, oil, and make-up.
What Is The Procedure Like?
The procedure is pretty straightforward and here’s what to expect from your Pico laser treatment. All the patient needs to do is wear protective eyewear and lie back. The procedure takes about 15 minutes from start to end. Patients may experience a mild prickling sensation (explained by patients as feeling rubber bands snapping against the skin), but overall, the procedure is well tolerated. The concomitant blowing of cold air is used to reduce discomfort. Removal of deep-set pigmentation (tattoos and birthmarks) is more uncomfortable and may require a topical cream or a local anesthetic.
Down Time And Side Effects
After the treatment, the patient’s skin will be warm and slightly red, similar to a sunburn. This will disappear in 1-8 hours. With Pico laser treatment, there is little to no downtime. Side effects are rare and Pico laser is considered safer than Q-Switched laser. Side effects can include:
- Burns to skin
- Hyperpigmentation in dark skin or recently tanned skin
- Infection
- Alteration to pigment
- Pigmentation and scarring in tattoo removal
Post-Procedure Care
Following the procedure, the patient should:
- Avoid rubbing, touching, or scratching their skin as it can lead to further irritation.
- Avoid sun exposure and wear heavy-duty sunscreen if going out in the sun.
- Avoid products with retinol.
- Keep their skin hydrated by using the prescribed post-laser moisturizers.
- Gently cleanse their faces with cool or lukewarm water.
How Many Sessions Are Needed?
This mainly depends on the target area and the results the patient is after. Most of the time, multiple sessions are needed to achieve the targets the patient desires. On average, a complete treatment plan requires about 3-6 sessions.
The Cost Of Pico Laser In Singapore
The cost of Pico laser treatment in Singapore depends on factors like the complexity of the target area, how severe the condition is, and the doctor’s experience. Usually, a treatment session costs about $250 but depending on the treatment specifications, they can go up to $ 600. Bear in mind that multiple treatment sessions may be needed to achieve results.
It is important to be wary of clinics offering the treatment for a meager price. Chances are the settings in the laser are not accurate and the procedure could damage the patient’s skin. Therefore, it is very important to consider the price of the Pico laser procedure in Singapore.
Getting Started
If you are suffering from skin imperfections, wrinkles and are looking to improve your skin tone and texture, Pico laser is a good treatment option. However, each person has a unique skin condition hence requires a highly personalized treatment regimen. Therefore, before starting any treatment options, you need to consult your doctor to better determine what is suitable for you.
Another important fact to keep in mind is that aesthetics is about improving your overall appearance rather than perfecting it. So, it’s important to keep realistic goals in mind regarding the results.
The success of treatment depends on many factors, including the equipment used and the expertise of the doctor. Hence, do not rush towards any option. Take your time and choose wisely.
About Dream Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery
Bespoke surgical for cosmetic or medical reasons is what Dream covers to bring out the beauty in every individual. Going beyond the aesthetics and working on physical anomalies are what we value the most in leading our patients to cherish self-improvement and confident lifestyles.
Derived from Associate Professor Vincent Yeow’s long-standing experience performing plastic surgery in Singapore, our treatment plans deliver physical remodelling in our patients’ favour. One of the notable remodellings is droopy eyelid correction. The ptosis surgery used for treatment eventually fixes drooping eyelids, improves vision and enhances appearance.
Most importantly, as a trustworthy plastic surgery and aesthetic clinic, we treasure positive and natural outcomes for each individual. We will ensure to deliver the beauty refinement of your dream without compromising your safety and privacy.
