The PicoPlus from Lutronic is an FDA-cleared Nd:YAG laser. It's designed for tattoo removal and treating pigmentation concerns, such as freckles, sun spots, melasma, café-au-lait spots, nevus of ota birthmarks, and pigmented lesions.
PicoPlus is a picosecond laser, which means it emits pulses of light that are one picosecond (one trillionth of a second) long. Some older Q-switched lasers have longer pulse durations that create heat, which can create thermal damage to the skin and underlying tissue.
Picosecond lasers like this one don’t create much heat at all. Compared to previous laser technology, PicoPlus treatments are more precise, comfortable, and effective. Offering two nanosecond and two picosecond wavelengths, PicoPlus breaks up hyperpigmentation and tattoo ink with shockwaves. This leaves microparticles of ink or melanin that the body can eliminate more easily.
These ultra-short pulses also carry a lower risk of burns, so providers can use peak power settings without damaging skin—a big plus for olive, brown, and deep skin tones, which are more prone to heat-related side effects than lighter ones.
Lutronic PicoPlus treatments are also used “off-label” (beyond the official FDA clearance) as an effective treatment for skin rejuvenation, especially for patients who have a combination of pigmentation concerns, fine lines, and wrinkles.
The picosecond pulses stimulate new collagen and elastin production, improving elasticity and making skin look smoother and younger over time. Results are more subtle than what you’d get from a fractional or ablative laser treatment (which removes some or all of the skin’s top layer), but PicoPlus treatments come with no downtime.
Picosecond laser treatments aimed at creating a more even skin tone are often advertised as “PicoToning.”
RealSelf Tip: The PicoPlus device has six handpieces, including the Zoom handpiece for colored tattoos, and the focused toning handpiece, designed to treat scars and rejuvenate skin. Some are pending FDA clearance in the U.S. but available in Asia (Singapore and Korea), the EU, and Australia, making the device even more versatile for treating skin conditions like inflammatory acne, acne scars, rosacea, and keratoses (noncancerous skin growths).
