PicoSure

How it works

PicoSure, made by Cynosure, is a picosecond laser operating at 755 nm. Picosecond pulses are extremely short, so the energy is delivered as a photoacoustic shock rather than mainly as heat. Pigment particles in the skin, such as melanin or tattoo ink, are intended to fracture into smaller pieces that the body can clear over time. Some handpieces create tiny zones of micro-injury that are aimed at improving texture and acne scars.

Good to know

• The catalog lists it as a picosecond laser at 755 nm.
• It is used for pigment spots, tattoo removal and, with certain handpieces, acne scars and texture.
• Short pulses reduce heat spread compared with longer nanosecond lasers.
• Redness, swelling or small scabs can follow; pigmentation response varies by person and skin tone.

Where PicoSure sits among similar devices

Among picosecond lasers, PicoSure is identified by its 755 nm wavelength. That wavelength is well absorbed by brown pigment and some tattoo colors, while others, such as certain greens, respond better to different wavelengths. This is why wavelength matters when comparing pico units.

Compared with Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers such as Spectra, picosecond pulses are shorter and less reliant on heat. Compared with IPL, which uses broad light, a laser delivers a single wavelength to the target. For melasma, which can worsen with heat or inflammation, the doctor's choice of settings matters more than the device name.