What is Picoway® Laser treatment by Candela® Medical?
Meet the picosecond laser machine intentionally designed to work from the inside out. The PicoWay laser system delivers high peak power and ultra-short pulse durations for a photoacoustic effect that transforms skin from the inside out.
What does the Picoway® Laser treat and who can receive this treatment?
Clinical evidence via National and International studies have shown that Picoway® Laser can:
- Significantly improve acne scars and wrinkles with a series of quick, 15- to 20- minute treatments, with basically no downtime
- Treat benign pigmented lesions with 50% clearance after two treatments (96% of treated discolorations) across a range of skin color and conditions
- Treat a wide range of tattoos, including the difficult-to-treat blue and green tattoos and multi-colored tattoos
- Treat melasma, nevus of Ota, lentigines and cafe au lait macules (CALMs).
- Deliver high rates of improvement in wrinkle appearance
- Effectively treat melasma
- Stimulates cascades of new collagen and elastin
You will be offered a course of treatment according to your needs. The more ethnic you are, the more important it is to treat conservatively each time. Lightest of light skin all the way to the darkest of dark skin can be treated with the Picoway® Laser depending on the target, the individual skin condition, overall health, and other conditions apply. Please schedule your consultation for your curated program.
Why can darker skin types be treated with the Picoway® Laser but not other Lasers?
The FDA & CE approved Picoway® Laser is a photoacoustic, not photothermal, system. This means that the Laser energy is delivered so rapidly that it hits the target within the skin, mainly bypassing the skin surface. It does not heat the skin and then enters the target within the skin like a conventional photothermal Laser does.
The unwavering dedication of Candela Medical toward innovation and safety for efficacious skin treatment makes this the most sought out picosecond Laser in cities around the world. The Picoway® Laser is unique amongst picosecond Lasers due to the multiple handpieces designed for specific targets: (Fitzpatrick skin typing I-V)
Zoom 532 nm
- Red, yellow, and orange tattoo removal (I-III)
- Benign pigmented lesions (I-IV)
- Melasma (I-IV)
- Café au lait Macules (CALMS) (I-IV)
- Lentigines (I-IV)
Zoom 1064 nm
- Black, brown, green, blue, and purple tattoo removal (I-VI)
- Benign pigmented lesions (I-IV)
- Melasma (I-IV)
- Nevus of Ota (III-IV)
- Carbon Laser Facial (I-VI)
730 nm
- Blue and green tattoo removal (II-IV)
- Benign pigmented lesions (I-IV)
- Lentigines (I-IV)
785 nm
- Blue and green tattoo removal (II-IV)
- Benign pigmented lesions (I-IV)
Resolve 532 nm, 532 nm HE
- Benign pigmented lesions (I-IV)
- Wrinkles (I-IV)
Resolve 1064 nm
- Benign pigmented lesions (I-IV)
- Wrinkles (I-IV)
- Melasma (I-IV)
- Acne scars (II-V)
Resolve Fusion 532 nm
- Benign pigmented lesions (I-IV)
How does iT Intelligent Treatment manage my discomfort?
- Depending on the treatment, a topical numbing cream is applied after your skin is thoroughly cleaned. Note that topical numbing is not necessary for all Picoway® Laser treatments
- A post Laser treatment cream or bacitracin is applied, and you are sent home with the same
What will I feel after the treatment?
For up to a few hours post treatment, you will feel a tingly sensation akin to a mild sunburn-like feeling. Your skin will feel tight. Some patients do not feel any tingling afterward, depending on the treatment.
What will my skin look like as it recovers and how long does that take?
Your skin will look pink to high pink immediately afterward, depending on the treatment/target. If this occurs, it can last up to the next morning. By the following morning, most patients will see a return to normal color. Some edema may occur around the eyes and other areas of the treated skin. A healthy and attractive skin glow is common.
As the first week progresses, it is normal to see MENDs (microscopic epidermal necrotic debris). These are tiny dark spots that can appear around the second or third day after your treatment Laser. These will naturally shed off as new skin is being regenerated. It is important to allow these to slough off on their own and not scrub, scratch, or pick at the area while it is healing. Not all patients will see MENDs and this is ok. Blotchiness (hyperpigmentation) is also common. Skin tone will continue to become more even each day, as your skin heals.
Dryness can occur as can flakiness, but this is not expected when you follow the do’s and do nots of your post treatment instructions. You can expect your skin to recover and be vibrant, smoother and healthier. Please note that tattoo removal has much different post treatment responses. You will be educated on what to expect and how to treat the area during your consultation.
What to expect during your appointment?
- Your skin will be examined and then thoroughly cleansed
- If necessary, a topical numbing cream will be applied. This will sit 30-40 minutes on your skin
- The topical numbing will be thoroughly removed and your skin cleansed again
- Your eyes will be covered with protective goggles during the treatment
- You will feel some heat-related discomfort localized within the treatment area
- Post treatment cream or bacitracin will be applied (along with chemical-free SPF if during the daylight hours) and a sample will be given to you, along with your post treatment instructions
- Booking for your next appointment will be done prior to leaving for maximum results and prolonged benefits
How often can I receive the Picoway® Laser treatment and how many will I need?
Treatments are generally performed once per month, giving your skin time to heal in between. Carbon Laser “Hollywood Laser Peel” can be performed more often, as can some other treatments. The number of treatments will depend on your individual needs. During your consultation, your treatment program will be determined and fully explained.
What do I need to know before and after my treatment?
During your consultation your pre and post treatment instructions are explained. A hard copy is provided, along with an emailed copy. When your appointment is confirmed and again on the day of your treatment, we will ask you to sign off on confirmation of receipt and following the pretreatment instructions. Prior to leaving your appointment, post treatment instructions are explained again, and a hard copy along with another email of the same is provided.
A full list of pre and post treatment instructions will be provided as stated above, but here are some of the major do’s and do nots…
Precautions to take before your Picoway® Laser treatment:
- No tanning, tanning beds, spray tan and self-tanning lotion for 2 weeks prior to treatment. Sun exposure decreases the effectiveness of the laser treatment and can increase the chance of post treatment complications
- Avoid any irritants to your skin, such as any products containing Tretinoin, Retinol, Benzoyl Peroxide, Glycolic/Salicylic Acids, Astringents or Vitamin C for one week before
- Use chemical-free SPF. Apply to the treated area every 2 hours when exposed to the sun and it is recommended to make this a part of your skin care routine
- If you experience cold sore/herpes breakouts, please pretreat – follow your prescription directions
- Reveal all medications and supplements you are taking, as some will be contraindicated
- Discontinue use of prescription Retin-A and reveal the use to us
- Reveal all topical products, especially acne and lightening products, to us, as there may be a withdrawal time necessary
- Do not hide your ethnicity, it is 100% necessary to determine if this Laser treatment is the correct one for you!
- Remove all makeup, creams or oils prior to treatment
Instructions following your laser treatment:
General (Pigment and Skin Rejuvenation):
- Clean the treated area twice daily with gentle cleanser and then pat the area dry
- Do not rub or scratch the treated area
- If MENDs occurs, do not shave or pick the area. Apply your post Laser treatment cream, or other directed topical or moisturizer to the area 2-3 times a day. Keep the area moist and let your skin shed on its own. This normally will resolve within the first week when post treatment instructions are followed
- Avoid any irritants to your skin, such as any products containing Tretinoin, Retinol, Benzoyl Peroxide, Glycolic/Salicylic Acids, Astringents or Vitamin C for one week after your treatment
- Avoid contact sports or any other activity that could cause injury of the treated area until skin is fully healed
- No hot baths/showers/saunas/jacuzzi/steam rooms for 48 hours. Avoid heavy perspiration and overheating the treatment area
- No swimming in the ocean or pools for 48 hrs
- Do not use harsh products such as exfoliants, retinoids for 1 week or until skin is fully healed
- DO NOT SCRUB, PICK OR SCRATCH. Allow your skin to gently exfoliate with gentle washing.
- Avoid direct sun exposure to the treated area for 2 weeks after your treatment
- Cover your treatment area with a hat or protective clothing for at least 2 weeks
- Wear your chemical-free SPF daily and reapply every 2-4 hrs. We will guide you with frequency of application based on your daily activities.
Tattoo:
- After gently cleansing and while skin is still moist, apply a thin layer of bacitracin ointment to the treated tattoo.
- Apply a non-stick pad over the tattoo until it is healed
- If blistering occurs, keep the area moist by applying bacitracin 3 times per day and apply a non-stick pad. This is a normal post treatment tattoo response. Do not wear tight clothing over the area during this time, as friction and any kind of rubbing can cause major damage and scarring
- Do not swim until treated areas are healed
- DO NOT apply any irritants to the treated area, such as any products containing Tretinoin, Retinol, Benzoyl Peroxide, Glycolic/Salicylic Acids or astringents until the area is fully healed
- Avoid contact sports or any other activity that could cause injury of the treated area until skin is fully healed
- No hot baths/showers/saunas/jacuzzi/steam rooms until the area is healed. Avoid heavy perspiration and overheating the treatment area
- DO NOT SCRUB, PICK OR SCRATCH
- Avoid direct sun exposure to the treated area for 2 weeks after your treatment
- Wear your chemical-free SPF daily after area is healed
