A 1064nm / 595nm / 532nm picosecond platform capable of several distinct modes, selected according to the concern being treated.
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Laser Rejuvenation
Treatment Series
Treatment Series
PicoPlus Pigmentation Treatment in Seoul.
A closer look at the picosecond Nd:YAG laser platform LOUAVE Dermatology Clinic considers alongside its Q-switched pigmentation pages — including melasma, freckles, age spots and dark circles — when a pattern calls for an ultra-short-pulse approach. The same platform runs more than one mode, from broad low-fluence toning passes to a focused pass for a single resistant lesion, so the mode and settings used are matched to your specific pigment pattern rather than applied the same way for everyone.
This page focuses on the PicoPlus platform itself. LOUAVE also publishes concern-specific pages where this technology may be considered — including Melasma Treatment, Freckle Removal, Age Spot Removal and Dark Circle Treatment — along with Hollywood Spectra Laser Toning for readers comparing laser platforms.
Platform Overview
Full-beam toning for diffuse pigment, a focused mode for discrete resistant lesions, and a fractional mode for texture and fine lines.
Pigment-toning modes are usually delivered as a multi-session course, while fractional resurfacing is planned as its own separate course.
PicoPlus is often discussed when a pattern hasn't fully responded to Q-switched toning, or when its pulse profile suits the pigment type.
Understanding The Platform
One laser, several distinct ways it's actually used.
PicoPlus is a picosecond laser platform, delivering pulses measured in trillionths of a second rather than the longer nanosecond pulses used by Q-switched systems. That shorter pulse duration favors a photoacoustic, pressure-wave effect on pigment over a purely photothermal one, which is one reason picosecond platforms are often considered for pigment that hasn't fully cleared with slower-pulse toning.
The same machine also supports a fractional resurfacing mode. A micro-lens array splits each pulse into an array of tiny treatment points, producing a photomechanical effect aimed at texture and fine lines rather than pigment — a different goal from pigment-targeting toning, even though it uses the same laser.
Because one platform can be used several different ways, the mode and settings are chosen at consultation based on what's actually being treated — diffuse pigment like melasma, discrete spots like freckles or age spots, periorbital pigment, or general tone and pore refinement without a specific pigment target.
PicoPlus is not the only laser platform LOUAVE uses for pigmentation. Hollywood Spectra, a Q-switched system, is considered separately as a first-line option for many pigment patterns — PicoPlus is often the platform discussed when a pattern responds better to picosecond pulses or hasn't fully cleared with Q-switched toning.
Match the pulse profile to the pigment, not the other way round.
The mode, wavelength and fluence used in your session follow from what's being treated — pigment type, depth, and how it has responded to prior treatment — rather than a single default setting applied to every patient.
Toning Mode
Fractional Mode
Focused Pigment Mode
The Four Modes, Explained
Mode 01
Mode 02
Mode 03
Mode 04
Same laser, four different ways it gets applied.
During consultation, the doctor reviews the concern being treated and proposes one or more of the modes below — sometimes a single mode across a course, sometimes a combination planned together.
Full-Beam Pico Toning
Broad, low-fluence passes repeated across a course, used for diffuse pigment such as melasma, freckles, age spots and periorbital pigment.
Focused Pico Mode
A smaller spot size and higher energy density concentrated on a single, well-defined pigmented lesion, used where broad toning isn't the most efficient approach.
Fractional Pico Resurfacing
A micro-lens array splits each pulse across many tiny points, aimed at texture, fine lines and pore appearance rather than a specific pigment target.
Wavelength-Matched Pigment Mode
1064nm, 595nm and 532nm wavelengths behave differently in skin; the wavelength used is matched to the pigment's depth and color characteristics.
What PicoPlus Is Used For
Concerns matched to a mode, not treated identically.
The concerns below give a sense of how this platform is applied at LOUAVE. Each concern has its own dedicated page with condition-specific detail — this page focuses on the underlying technology shared across them.
Diffuse, Symmetrical Pigment Patches
Broader patches such as melasma may be treated with a staged, low-fluence full-beam toning course, particularly when a slower-pulse approach hasn't fully cleared the pattern.
Full-Beam Toning ModeDiscrete Spots — Freckles & Age Spots
Genetically-driven freckles and sun-related age spots may respond to toning or, for an isolated resistant spot, a more focused pass.
Toning or Focused ModePeriorbital Pigment — Dark Circles
Confirmed pigmented dark circles may be treated with conservative, thin-skin-aware settings distinct from other facial areas.
Conservative Toning ModePigment Resistant to Prior Toning
Patterns that haven't fully responded to Q-switched toning are sometimes reconsidered with PicoPlus's shorter pulse profile.
Focused Pico ModeFine Lines & Uneven Texture
Where there's no specific pigment target and the goal is refined texture and fine lines, the fractional resurfacing mode is considered instead.
Fractional Resurfacing ModeIsolated Pigmented Lesions
A single, well-defined pigmented spot may respond better to a more focused, higher-energy pass than broad toning.
Focused Pico Mode Treatment Philosophy
Choose the mode deliberately, not the same setting for everyone.
Because one platform can be used several different ways, the approach begins with matching mode and settings to the concern in front of the doctor, rather than running one standard protocol for every patient.
Mode Selected at Consultation
Pigment pattern, depth, prior treatment response and skin type are reviewed together before a mode — full-beam toning, focused pigment, or fractional resurfacing — is proposed, rather than defaulting to one setting.
Concern reviewed before mode is chosen
No default or one-size setting
Individualised, not formulaic
Skin type and history reviewed before treatment
Preferred focus: mode-matched, realistic planning
Low-Fluence Where That's the Safer Path
For diffuse or delicate-area pigment, lower-energy passes repeated over a staged course are preferred over one aggressive session, reducing the risk of rebound pigmentation.
Sessions spaced to suit the concern
Reviewed before further sessions
Settings adjusted rather than escalated by default
Additional sessions expected for established pigment
Assessment focus: deliberate, staged toning
Honest About What One Platform Can't Do
PicoPlus is not the right tool for every pigment pattern or every structural concern. Where Hollywood Spectra, a different device, or a non-laser option like filler would serve you better, that's discussed openly.
Realistic expectations set upfront
Not presented as a fix for every concern
Referral to other options discussed openly
Individual results still vary
Safety focus: honest expectation-setting
LOUAVE Treatment Process
A structured plan built around the right mode for you.
The process below applies across PicoPlus's different modes, from initial concern review through to mode selection, sessions, and ongoing course planning.
Consultation & Concern Review
The doctor examines the pigment pattern, skin type and treatment goal to determine which of the platform's modes is actually appropriate.
Concern-first assessmentMode & Settings Selection
Wavelength, spot size and fluence are set based on the chosen mode — full-beam, focused or fractional — along with an approximate session count.
Mode-specific planningTreatment Session(s)
Passes are delivered according to the selected mode — a fractional resurfacing session, or a spaced toning course for pigment concerns.
Mode-appropriate deliveryProgress Review & Course Planning
Response is reviewed after each session, with further sessions or a mode change planned based on how the area is responding.
Ongoing progress review Results & Development
Day 0
Days 1–3
Weeks 3–4
Ongoing
What to expect depends on the mode used.
A fractional resurfacing session tends to give a visible improvement in texture within a few days, while pigment-toning modes build gradually over a staged course. Both are reviewed against the timeline the doctor sets out at consultation, since expectations differ by mode.
Treatment session
Passes are delivered according to the selected mode; mild redness or, for fractional resurfacing, some warmth is common immediately afterward.
Immediate effects settle
Redness and any mild flaking typically settle within a few days; fractional resurfacing's texture improvement is often visible from this point.
Review & next session, if planned
For toning courses, response is reviewed at the next visit and settings adjusted before the following session.
Course completion & maintenance
Once a toning course is complete, sun protection helps preserve results; fractional resurfacing is sometimes repeated periodically for maintenance.
International patients planning a multi-session toning course should discuss a realistic schedule with the clinic, since sessions are typically spaced several weeks apart.
Suitability & Screening
Suitability is confirmed through an honest health review.
Treatment may be modified, delayed or declined when certain health factors are present, or when your concern is better addressed with a different platform or approach.
PicoPlus may be discussed when:
- You have a pigmentation concern — diffuse, discrete or periorbital — or want a general brightening, pore-refining treatment.
- You're able to attend the sessions the chosen mode requires, whether that's a single fractional resurfacing session or a multi-session toning course.
- Your skin has not had a recent aggressive laser, peel or procedure that could increase treatment risk right now.
- You understand that pigment-toning modes work gradually and results build over a course, not in one session.
- You accept that some concerns may be better matched to a different platform, such as Hollywood Spectra, or a non-laser option.
Tell the doctor before treatment about:
- Pregnancy, planned pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Current or recent use of isotretinoin, hormonal medication, or other photosensitising drugs.
- A history of keloid scarring, cold sores, or active skin infection in the treatment area.
- Recent sun exposure, tanning, or a tendency to tan or scar easily, particularly if a fractional or focused pigment mode is being considered.
- Any previous laser, light-based, or tattoo-removal treatment in the area, including outcomes and whether pigmentation worsened afterward.
Aftercare
Simple care, matched to the mode used.
Follow the specific instructions provided by the treating doctor after each session, since aftercare details differ slightly between toning, fractional and focused pigment modes.
Strict Daily Sun Protection
Apply broad-spectrum SPF daily and limit direct sun exposure, both while healing and afterward, to protect results across every mode.
Keep Skincare Gentle for a Few Days
Avoid strong actives, exfoliants or fragranced products on the treated area until any mild redness or flaking has fully settled.
Don't Pick at Flaking Skin
Mild flaking after a fractional or toning pass should be left to shed naturally — picking can affect how evenly pigment clears.
Attend the Review Visit
Attend the follow-up review so the doctor can confirm healing and decide whether a further session or a mode change is appropriate.
Safety Information
General information, not a substitute for consultation.
This page provides general educational information about the PicoPlus laser platform. It does not replace an individual medical consultation, and effects, recovery and suitability vary between patients and between modes.
Seek prompt attention for:
- Pigment that appears markedly darker or more widespread than expected in the weeks after a session, rather than gradually lightening.
- Blistering, crusting, or open skin breakdown at the treated area, beyond expected mild redness or flaking.
- Signs of infection, including increasing pain, warmth, discharge or fever at the treated area.
- Persistent burning, unusual pain, or textural change that does not settle within the expected timeframe for the mode used.
- Any allergic reaction to numbing cream or other topical products used as part of the treatment, such as significant redness, swelling or itching.
Any sign that the treated area is not healing as expected should be reported to the clinic promptly rather than waiting for the next scheduled review. Adjusting the mode or settings for future sessions is often the right response to protect the skin's long-term outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the PicoPlus platform.
Mode selection, session count, expected timelines and combination planning are confirmed during consultation.
What is PicoPlus?
PicoPlus is a picosecond Nd:YAG laser platform running at multiple wavelengths (1064nm, 595nm and 532nm). At LOUAVE it's considered across several pigmentation pages, since one machine can be run in several different modes.
Is the treatment the same for every concern?
No. The doctor selects a mode — full-beam toning, focused pigment, or fractional resurfacing — and settings based on what's actually being treated. It is not applied the same way for every patient or every concern.
What is fractional pico resurfacing and how is it different from toning?
Fractional resurfacing uses the same laser through a micro-lens array that splits each pulse into many tiny treatment points. It's aimed at general texture and fine lines rather than a specific pigment spot, which is a different goal from pigment-targeting toning.
How many sessions are usually needed?
It depends on the mode. Fractional resurfacing is often done as an occasional single session or maintenance visits, while pigment-toning modes are typically delivered as a multi-session course spaced weeks apart.
Does PicoPlus treatment hurt?
Most patients describe brief pulses similar to light snapping sensations. Numbing is not usually required for toning modes, though it may be discussed for fractional resurfacing depending on sensitivity.
What is the downtime after treatment?
Downtime is typically minimal across modes — mild redness or light flaking for a few days is common, and most patients return to normal activities the same or next day.
What does "picosecond" actually mean for treatment?
It refers to the pulse duration — trillionths of a second, shorter than the nanosecond pulses used by Q-switched lasers. This favors a photoacoustic, pressure-wave effect on pigment, which is one reason picosecond platforms are considered for pigment that hasn't fully responded to slower-pulse toning.
Is PicoPlus the same as Hollywood Spectra?
No. PicoPlus is a picosecond system, while Hollywood Spectra is a Q-switched laser. Both can treat pigmentation, and which one is proposed depends on the specific pigment pattern and how it's expected to respond, confirmed individually at consultation.
How soon are results visible?
Fractional resurfacing's texture improvement is often visible within a few days of a single session. Pigment-toning results build more gradually, typically becoming noticeable over several sessions of a staged course.
Can PicoPlus treatment be combined with other treatments?
Yes. It's often planned alongside other skin-care or laser treatments, or sequenced with a different platform where that better suits the concern. Combination planning is confirmed together at consultation.
International Appointment
Plan your PicoPlus treatment around the right mode for you.
Share close-up photos of the area you'd like addressed, whether your goal is pigment-specific or general brightening, any previous laser or peel treatments, preferred appointment dates and your Seoul travel schedule. Since some modes are single-session and others need a course spaced weeks apart, the doctor will help confirm a schedule that fits your trip.
Important treatment information
This page provides general educational information about the PicoPlus laser platform and does not replace an individual medical consultation. PicoPlus runs several distinct modes — full-beam toning, focused pigment, and fractional resurfacing — and the mode, wavelength and fluence used affect both expected results and recovery; not every mode or concern responds the same way, and some pigment patterns may respond better to a different platform. Treatment must be planned by an appropriately experienced medical professional after reviewing pigment pattern, skin type, sun exposure history, previous laser or peel treatments, health history, medications, allergies and informed consent. Temporary effects may include mild redness, warmth or light flaking in the treated area, which typically settles within a few days of each session. Other possible effects include post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, incomplete pigment clearance requiring further sessions, or, uncommonly, patchy lightening. Rare but serious complications include blistering, burns, infection, unexpected scarring or textural change, and allergic reactions to numbing cream or other topical products used during treatment or recovery. Seek prompt medical advice for pigment that becomes markedly darker or more widespread than expected, blistering or skin breakdown, signs of infection, or symptoms of a significant allergic reaction. Daily sun protection is recommended both during healing and afterward, and results, session count, onset, and long-term stability vary by individual and cannot be guaranteed.