What is a Picosure Treatment?: Everything you Need to know

PicoSure is a type of laser treatment that uses specialized laser energy to rejuvenate the skin and treat a variety of skin conditions. Unlike traditional laser treatments, PicoSure uses short bursts of energy that minimize damage to the skin while targeting problem areas. PicoSure can be used to treat a wide variety of skin issues, including freckles, age spots, sun damage, acne scars, and wrinkling. It is a non-surgical and non-invasive treatment that fits easily into busy lifestyles.

What are the Benefits of PicoSure over other Laser Treatments?

PicoSure has several benefits over other laser treatments, including:

Shorter treatment time: PicoSure's ability to transmit energy in short pulses allows it to treat your skin in a quick, gentle fashion, which means that treatment times are shorter than with other laser treatments.

Minimal discomfort: PicoSure's short pulses of energy also mean that you will not feel uncomfortable during your treatment. Instead, you may notice a soft sensation that is similar to the feeling of a rubber band snapping against your skin.

Versatility: PicoSure can be used to treat a wide variety of skin issues, including freckles, age spots, sun damage, acne scars, and wrinkling. It can also be used for tattoo removal.

Enhanced collagen production: PicoSure uses laser energy to gently squeeze the cells in your target area, which causes them to direct your body to make more elastin and collagen. Your body’s enhanced collagen production of these structural proteins will rejuvenate your skin and decrease your lines and wrinkles.

Effective pigmentation removal: PicoSure can remove freckles, age spots, acne scars, and other types of unwanted pigmentation from your skin.

No downtime: PicoSure is a non-surgical and non-invasive treatment that fits easily into busy lifestyles. There is no downtime required after treatment, so you can return to your normal activities immediately.

What Skin Conditions can be Treated with PicoSure?

PicoSure can be used to treat a wide variety of skin issues, including:

Freckles and brown pigmentation

Acne scars

Wrinkling

Uneven pigmentation

Large pores

Fine and deep lines

Tattoo removal

Hyperpigmentation

Sun damage

Dark spots

Discoloration

Are there any Side effects Associated with PicoSure Treatments?

Like any medical procedure, PicoSure treatments may have some side effects. However, these side effects are usually mild and temporary. Some of the possible side effects of PicoSure treatments include:

Redness and swelling: After the treatment, you may experience some redness and swelling in the treated area. This is a normal reaction and should subside within a few hours to a few days.

Discomfort: You may feel some discomfort during the treatment, but this is usually mild and can be managed with a topical anesthetic cream.

Skin discoloration: In rare cases, PicoSure treatments may cause temporary skin discoloration, such as hypopigmentation (lighter pigmentation) or hyperpigmentation (darker pigmentation).

Scarring: Although rare, scarring is a possible side effect of PicoSure treatment. This is more likely to occur if you have a history of keloid scarring.

Infection: There is a small risk of infection with any medical procedure, including PicoSure treatment.

What is the Recovery time after a PicoSure Treatment?

The recovery time after a PicoSure treatment is typically very short. Most people can resume their normal activities immediately after the procedure, although there may be some mild side effects, such as redness, swelling, and itching. These side effects typically go away within a few days.

In some cases, you may experience more significant side effects, such as blistering or crusting. These side effects are usually temporary and will heal within a week or two.

Here are some things you can do to help your skin heal after a PicoSure treatment:

Apply a cold compress to the treated area for 20 minutes at a time.

Use a gentle cleanser to wash the treated area.

Apply a moisturizer to the treated area.

Avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks after the treatment.

Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days.

How Does PicoSure Compare to other Laser Treatments in terms of Cost?

The cost of PicoSure treatment will vary depending on the size and location of the area being treated, the number of treatments needed, and the experience of the provider. However, in general, PicoSure treatment is comparable in cost to other laser treatments for the same condition.

For example, the average cost of laser tattoo removal is $423 per session. The number of sessions needed will vary depending on the size and color of the tattoo, but most people need 3-6 sessions. So, the total cost of laser tattoo removal with PicoSure can range from $1269 to $2538.

The cost of PicoSure treatment for other conditions, such as age spots, acne scars, and sun damage, is also comparable to the cost of treatment with other laser technologies. However, it is important to note that PicoSure may be more effective than other lasers for some conditions, so the overall cost may be lower in the long run.

How Long does a PicoSure Treatment Session typically Last?

A PicoSure treatment session typically lasts for 15-30 minutes. The exact duration will depend on the size and location of the area being treated. For example, a treatment on the face may take less time than a treatment on the back.

The PicoSure laser is a very precise laser that can target specific areas of the skin. This allows for more effective treatment with less downtime. Most people can resume their normal activities immediately after the procedure, although there may be some mild side effects, such as redness, swelling, and itching. These side effects typically go away within a few days.

Is PicoSure Treatment Painful or Uncomfortable?

PicoSure treatment is generally not painful, and most patients feel minimal discomfort throughout the procedure. During a PicoSure laser session, a handheld device is used to apply the PicoSure laser energy to the treatment area, which in turn will remove unwanted pigment in as little as 20 to 30 minutes. Most patients find that discomfort is quite minimal during treatment.

To minimize any discomfort, a topical numbing cream can be applied to further limit any potential discomfort during the treatment. The numbing cream should be applied to clean skin an hour before the laser treatment session and cover the entire treatment area. After the treatment, you may experience some temporary discomfort, but afterwards it just feels like a mild sunburn. For most people, the feeling is much less painful than snapping elastic bands. Although there may be some discomfort during the treatment, it is generally well-tolerated, and most patients find that the benefits of PicoSure outweigh any temporary discomfort.

What is the Recommended Aftercare for PicoSure Treatment?

Aftercare is an important part of the PicoSure treatment process. Here are some recommended aftercare tips:

Avoid sun exposure: It is important to protect your skin from the sun after the treatment, as your skin may be more sensitive to UV rays. You should avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, and sunless tanning cream for 2-4 weeks prior to and after treatment.

Apply sunscreen: After the treatment, you should apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to the treated area whenever you go outside.

Avoid scratching or picking at the treated area: It is important to avoid unnecessary scratching or picking at the treated area to prevent infection and scarring.

Avoid strenuous exercise: While it is safe to return to work and other routines immediately, patients are advised to refrain from strenuous activity for about 48 hours post-treatment.

Apply cool compresses: If you experience any redness or swelling after the treatment, you can apply cool compresses to the treated area to help reduce inflammation.

Follow your doctor's instructions: It is important to follow your doctor's instructions carefully after the treatment to minimize the risk of side effects and ensure the best possible results.