PicoSure® Laser

PicoSure® is a laser treatment that reduces unwanted pigments in your skin with a short-pulse laser. If you have hyperpigmentation, sun damage, age spots, or tattoos you would like to remove, the laser can help your body eliminate the pigment for a more even skin tone.

PicoSure® is unique because it does not rely on heat to remove unwanted pigment in your skin. Instead, it delivers laser energy in rapid bursts that cause the pigment to disperse while preserving your surrounding tissue. PicoSure® is a revolutionary laser technology that is highly effective for removing unwanted tattoos and resurfacing your skin so it looks refreshed and more youthful.

The team at True You Medical Aesthetic has decades of experience helping patients improve the quality of their skin with innovative treatments. Why wait to achieve a more even skin tone and a more radiant complexion?

Contact our San Jose office or call (408) 223-8818 to learn more about how we can help transform your skin.

Before and After Photos

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About PicoSure®

PicoSure® is effective for most skin tones and types. Specialists performed more than 3.1 million laser treatments in 2023 to help patients improve their appearance and meet their aesthetic goals. ⁽¹⁾ The short bursts of energy are designed to treat the pigmented area while preserving the surrounding tissue. The treatment requires fewer sessions than other types of lasers. ⁽²⁾

During the treatment, we can administer short pulses of pressurized laser energy with a handheld device to break apart pigment in the skin. As a result, you can enjoy smoother, more even skin over time.

Types of PicoSure® Treatments

We can use the laser to address several different skin concerns:

Any pigment concerns, such as dark spots and freckles, may also respond well to PicoSure® treatment. Each type of treatment utilizes the same fundamental principle of laser energy quickly targeting pigments and triggering the body’s healing response while preserving the surrounding tissue.

PicoSure® Benefits

With PicoSure® you can enjoy several benefits, including:

Candidates

If you would like to achieve a more even skin tone, you are likely a good candidate for PicoSure® treatments. Suitable candidates would often like to:

You will need to be prepared to take good care of your skin and adjust your routine to prevent sun exposure. If you have eczema, we may recommend alternative treatments to prevent triggering an outbreak. During your consultation, we will discuss your medical history to determine whether or not the treatment is a good fit for you.

Personal Consultation

During your consultation, we will ask about your medical history and current medications. We will also examine your skin and ask about any skin concerns you have. The number of treatments you will need depends on your aesthetic goals and your skin’s response.

For tattoo removal, the density of the ink, size of the treatment area, and location can affect your treatment plan. Patients usually experience the best results with 4-10 treatments. If you are undergoing skin revitalization to reduce signs of aging with PicoSure®, we will likely recommend 2-5 sessions.

Our team will customize your treatment plan to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. To learn more about additional treatments, browse our services.

Preparation

To prepare for your treatment, we may recommend that you:

During your consultation, we can provide specific instructions about how you can take good care of your skin and which skincare products to avoid.

Procedure

During your treatment, we will cleanse your skin and provide protective goggles for you to wear. We will use a handheld device to administer the laser energy to your skin and strategically target the treatment area. We may perform a “test” session to apply the laser energy to a small area to see how your skin responds.

The handheld device delivers short bursts of energy that last one trillionth of a second (picosecond). We can adjust the wavelength of the laser for your treatment depending on your needs. ⁽³⁾ These short bursts prevent the treatment from burning your skin because there is not enough heat to cause hyperpigmentation.

If you have hair close to the treatment area, we can apply a topical gel to protect it during your treatment. Most people tolerate PicoSure® treatments quite well. The treatment is said to feel like the snapping of a rubber band against the skin. We will use slightly more energy during a tattoo removal treatment, so you may need a topical anesthetic cream to reduce your discomfort. For small areas, the treatment takes 10-15 minutes.

Recovery

Immediately after your treatment, you will likely notice a thin film appear on your skin that is known colloquially as “frosting.” This is your immune system’s natural response to the laser, and your skin will absorb the film shortly afterward. You may also experience minor swelling in the area. You must take care not to touch your skin or wear tight clothing that can chafe against it.

You may need to wear a protective bandage over the area and use petroleum-based jelly to support your skin while you heal. Your recovery time will depend on your treatment, but treatments are typically scheduled several weeks apart for skin resurfacing and revitalization.

For skin rejuvenation, you will likely need 2-6 weeks between treatments. Treatment for acne scars and wrinkles requires about 3-4 weeks of recovery. If you are having a tattoo removed, it usually takes between 6-8 weeks for your skin to recover. Taking good care of your skin will be an important part of recovering from the laser treatment. It is especially important to avoid drinking alcohol for a period after your treatment because your liver will process the excess pigment.

Results

You will notice results immediately after your treatment, and over the next few days, you will notice the targeted pigment in your skin gradually fading. Depending on the severity of your hyperpigmentation or the depth of your tattoo, you may need several sessions to achieve results. Sessions are often spaced 6 weeks apart to give your body time to absorb the pigment and prevent injuring your skin from over-treating it.

PicoSure® can permanently remove tattoos and heal acne scars. Skin revitalization treatments do have lasting results, but sometimes cases of irregular pigmentation can return, and your skin will continue to change as you age. Many patients receive regular treatments, scheduled about 6 months apart, to maintain their results, prevent the further accumulation of pigment, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Additional Treatments

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a treatment that eliminates unwanted hair growth with laser energy that alters the structure of your hair follicles. During the treatment, we will cleanse your skin and apply the laser energy. You will likely feel some warmth as the laser energy penetrates the skin barrier to reach the hair follicles. Afterward, you can enjoy smoother skin without unwanted hair growth.

Diamond Glow

Diamond Glow is a facial treatment that exfoliates your skin, eliminates impurities that clog your pores, and nourishes your skin with moisture-rich serums. With SkinMedica® Pro Infusion Serums, we can treat acne and hyperpigmentation for a smoother, more radiant appearance. With a diamond-tipped wand specifically designed to remove impurities and extract bacteria, we can refresh your skin barrier and apply powerful serums to moisturize your skin.

Hydrafacial

Hydrafacial is a dermabrasion treatment that exfoliates, hydrates, and fortifies your skin with nutrient-rich serums. The treatment leverages vortex technology to help you achieve a clearer, more youthful complexion, and with regular treatments, you can transform your skin for a long-lasting glow. Hydrafacial is a multi-step process that improves the quality of your skin with exfoliation that improves your skin tone by reducing the effects of sun exposure, aging, large pores, or acne scars.

After exfoliating your skin, we can eliminate blemishes, blackheads, and clogged pores from oily skin. Next, we apply nutrient-rich serums for long-lasting posture to protect your skin from environmental elements. Depending on the condition of your skin, we may recommend a series of treatments to help you rejuvenate your skin and achieve a clearer complexion.

Cost of PicoSure® in San Jose

The cost of PicoSure® will depend on your specific treatment plan. If you need additional treatments to achieve results, we can also provide an all-inclusive quote during your consultation based on your personalized treatment plan. Do not wait to prioritize your appearance. The way you feel about your appearance matters, and the well-tolerated laser treatment has helped thousands of patients achieve results.

Contact our office or call (408) 223-8818 to learn more.

FAQ

References

1. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
2. Torbeck R, Bankowski R, Henize S, Saedi N. Lasers in tattoo and pigmentation control: role of the PicoSure® laser system. Medical Devices (Auckland, NZ). 2016;9:63-67. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/MDER.S77993
3. Feng J, Shen S, Song X, Xiang W. Efficacy and safety of picosecond laser for the treatment of melasma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2023;38(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-023-03744-y