Discovery Pico

How it works

Discovery Pico, from Quanta System, is a laser that offers both picosecond and Q-switched Nd:YAG operation. Picosecond mode delivers extremely short pulses intended to shatter pigment photoacoustically, while Q-switched mode uses nanosecond pulses that act more through a combination of shock and heat. Having both modes lets the operator choose the pulse that suits the target, whether that is superficial pigment, diffuse tone concerns or tattoo ink.

Good to know

• The catalog lists it as picosecond and Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.
• Clinics list it for laser toning, pico laser sessions and tattoo removal.
• The two pulse types are a distinguishing feature compared with pico-only units.
• Mild redness is common; spot treatments can form small scabs; results vary by person.

Where Discovery Pico sits among similar devices

The key contrast is flexibility. A pico-only device commits to picosecond pulses; Discovery Pico lets the operator move to Q-switched pulses when that suits the target. For a reader whose concern includes both diffuse tone issues and discrete pigment or tattoo areas, that range is the reason it comes up.

Compared with Spectra, which is Q-switched, it adds picosecond capability. Compared with PicoSure and PicoWay, it adds the older nanosecond mode. Neither is automatically preferable; the choice depends on pigment depth, skin tone and tolerance, which is an assessment, not a specification.