General FAQ’s
What is PicoSure?
PicoSure® is the world’s first and only picosecond aesthetic laser platform for multiple aesthetic applications including tattoo removal, acne scar treatment, removal of pigmented lesions and wrinkle treatment. This unparalleled breakthrough in laser technology delivers ultra-short pulse bursts of energy to the skin in trillionths of a second to gently target and eliminate pigment without harming the surrounding skin. Improve the look of your skin and achieve a more youthful appearance by removing pigment or treating wrinkles and acne scars faster than ever before with PicoSure.
Why PicoSure Laser Treatment?
It’s important to consider your options. Face-lifts, fillers, and toxins are associated with significant downtime, risks, and side-effects. Patients often consider these treatments a “last resort.” The first step to achieving a more youthful appearance or just tweaking some trouble-spots may be a PicoSure laser treatment. Speak with our office today to see if this treatment is right for you!
Pigment FAQ’s
What causes unwanted pigment?
Melanin gives us our skin color. Pigmented lesions including sunspots, age spots, and brown patches, are dark in color because the melanin is concentrated in one area of the skin. Most pigmented lesions come from sun exposure while some patients are born with them. Hormonal changes can also induce pigment changes in the skin.
What types of pigmented lesions can PicoSure remove?
Lasers remove a variety of unwanted pigment. Age spots, freckles, and brown patches can all be removed with PicoSure. During a free consultation, your practitioner will put together a treatment regime to help you achieve pigment-free skin fast.
How many treatment sessions will it take?
To improve the look of your skin and achieve a more youthful appearance by removing pigmented lesions will require only a few treatments. Darker, deeper and larger pigmented lesions may require additional treatments; however during the consultation, your practitioner will discuss treatment expectations with you. What does the treatment feel like? Most patients find the procedure tolerable and require no numbing cream or anesthesia. PicoSure delivers energy in ultra-short bursts, and patients often compare the laser pulse to a snap of a thin rubber band.
What type of post treatment care is necessary?
After the procedure, the treatment area may be tender. It is important to keep the area clean and to avoid any irritation. Your practitioner will provided additional after care instructions as needed to ensure a quick recovery.
Scar Treatment FAQ’s
How does laser scar treatment work?
Unlike surgery, laser acne scar treatment uses ultra-short pulses of laser light to reach deeply into the skin’s sub-layers, treating the support structure. Then the body’s natural healing process sweeps away older, damaged tissue and rebuilds it with fresh, new collagen and elastin—the crucial building blocks of normal-looking skin. It’s a fast and simple procedure that’s easy to tolerate and requires little-to-no downtime.
What types of scars can be treated?
Laser acne scar treatment is FDA-cleared for acne scars on any area of the body, including the face.
Am I a good candidate for this treatment?
Laser acne scar treatment can work on many skin types, including very light and darker skin. Contact a provider to find out if you are a good candidate for this treatment.
How many treatment sessions will it take?
To improve the look of your skin and achieve a more youthful appearance by removing pigmented lesions will require only a few treatments. Darker, deeper and larger pigmented lesions may require additional treatments; however during the consultation, your practitioner will discuss treatment expectations with you.
Am I a good candidate for this treatment?
Laser acne scar treatment can work on many skin types, including very light and darker skin. Contact a provider to find out if you are a good candidate for this treatment.
What does the treatment feel like?
Most patients find the procedure tolerable and require no numbing cream or anesthesia. PicoSure delivers energy in ultra-short bursts, and patients often compare the laser pulse to a snap of a thin rubber band.
What type of post treatment care is necessary?
After the procedure, the treatment area may be tender. It is important to keep the area clean and to avoid any irritation. Your practitioner will provided additional after care instructions as needed to ensure a quick recovery.
How many treatments will I need?
Acne scars will begin to show improvement in 2 treatments but a series of 3 to 5 treatments is recommended for optimum aesthetic results.
How quickly will I recover?
Most people resume regular activities immediately following the treatment session.
Are there any side effects?
Typical side effects include temporary redness and swelling at the treatment site. Unwanted pigmentation associated with the acne scarring should slightly frost (whiten) during treatment, then darken over the following 24 hours and then shed over time.
Wrinkle Treatment FAQ’s
How does it work?
With a unique combination of leading-edge technologies, our light-based treatments target all three layers of photodamaged tissue, epidermal pigment, mid-dermal wrinkles, and deep-dermal laxity. Then the body’s natural healing process sweeps away older, damaged tissue and rebuilds it with fresh, new collagen and elastin—the crucial building blocks of youthful looking skin.
Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
If you have fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes, mouth, or any area of your body including face, hands, and arms you may be a good candidate for the PicoSure treatment.
How long does it take?
The procedure can be performed in as little as 15 minutes or less, depending on the size of the treatment area.
What does the treatment feel like?
Your treatment provider may offer ways to make this a comfortable experience. Since everyone is different, and this depends on the level of treatment needed, it is best to discuss all of your options with your laser treatment provider.
How many treatments will I need?
A series of 3-4 treatments is recommended. Treatment intervals are 2-4 weeks but can be up to 8 weeks for darker skin types. Each patient is unique and will be evaluated prior to treatment.
How quickly will I recover?
Side effects include temporary redness and swelling at the treatment site that typically resolves in less than an hour but in some cases may linger for up to 24 hours.
Are there any side effects?
Adverse effects can include hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, mild erythema and edema, and possible scarring and infection. By following your practitioner’s post-treatment care instructions you will significantly decrease the risk of these adverse effects. If you have fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes, mouth, or any area of your body including face, hands, and arms you may be a good candidate for the PicoSure treatment.
How long does it take?
The procedure can be performed in as little as 15 minutes or less, depending on the size of the treatment area.
What does the treatment feel like?
Your treatment provider may offer ways to make this a comfortable experience. Since everyone is different, and this depends on the level of treatment needed, it is best to discuss all of your options with your laser treatment provider.
How many treatments will I need?
A series of 3-4 treatments is recommended. Treatment intervals are 2-4 weeks but can be up to 8 weeks for darker skin types. Each patient is unique and will be evaluated prior to treatment.
How quickly will I recover?
Side effects include temporary redness and swelling at the treatment site that typically resolves in less than an hour but in some cases may linger for up to 24 hours.
Are there any side effects?
Adverse effects can include hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, mild erythema and edema, and possible scarring and infection. By following your practitioner’s post-treatment care instructions you will significantly decrease the risk of these adverse effects.
PicoSure FAQ’s for Tattoo Removal
How does PicoSure laser tattoo removal work?
Laser energy is delivered to the tattoo, targeting the ink and breaking it down into smaller particles. The particles are eliminated through the body’s natural processes resulting in a lightening of the tattoo ink.
What does laser tattoo removal feel like?
For many patients, the feeling of laser tattoo removal has been compared to what it feels like when getting a tattoo, however it is very fast. Your practitioner will work with you on the best comfort option based on your individual situation.
How many treatments will tattoo removal require?
The number of laser treatments needed for tattoo removal is dependent on a number of variables such as ink type, size of the tattoo, location on the body, type of laser used, lifestyle habits, etc. During your consultation, a practitioner will evaluate your tattoo and recommend a realistic treatment regime to help you achieve the best results.
How often will I need treatments?
While it typically takes 4-8 weeks for the body to absorb the ink particles, every patient and tattoo responds differently. Following the recommended post treatment protocol will likely improve the results and reduce the chance of small adverse events.
How will my skin look after the laser treatment?
The ideal clinical endpoint for the tattoo treatment is an immediate slight whitening or “frosting” of the skin, however that will subside immediately after the treatment is complete. Other observable effects include mild swelling and redness. Your practitioner will direct you on how best to keep the area moist.
My tattoo was treated with a laser in the past and didn’t clear, why would I try again now?
Until the launch of PicoSure, Q-Switched lasers had been considered the gold standard for removing tattoos. Q-Switched laser treatments use thermal energy to heat up and break apart.
Can I lighten the tattoo to have another one put on top?
Tattoos can be lightened in preparation for a cover-up tattoo. Your practitioner may have you wait six weeks between your last treatment and when you have the new tattoo completed.
How much does tattoo removal cost?
The cost of laser tattoo removal depends on several factors, including the size of tattoo and the number of treatments it will require. Most insurance companies will not cover laser tattoo removal since it is considered an elective cosmetic procedure. After your consultation, your practitioner will provide you a price estimate for the treatment series.
