Name: Skin Works Medical Spa
Price range: $$

A picosecond laser delivers energy in pulses measured in trillionths of a second. Those very short pulses can create a strong photoacoustic effect in pigment with less time for heat to spread into surrounding tissue than longer-pulse systems. That does not mean there is no heat, no downtime or no risk. It means the laser can be used very precisely when the target and settings are chosen correctly.

Ultrashort pulsesPicosecond energy is delivered in extremely brief bursts that can fragment targeted pigment efficiently.

Device-specificPicoSure Pro and PicoLazer use different wavelength configurations and do not share every FDA-cleared indication.

Mostly non-ablativeMany pigment and fractional pico treatments leave the skin surface intact, so recovery is often lighter than ablative resurfacing.

What Is a Pico Laser?

“Pico laser” is a technology category. It does not refer to one brand, one wavelength or one treatment plan. Picosecond systems deliver pulses shorter than traditional nanosecond Q-switched lasers. In pigment treatment, the goal is to create a rapid mechanical effect in the target so pigment particles fragment and can clear gradually.

Different wavelengths interact with different colors and depths of pigment, and focusing optics change how energy reaches the skin. A sun spot, melasma and an acne scar should not be treated with the same settings simply because all may appear on a “pico laser” menu.

PicoSure Pro vs. PicoLazer: Why the Exact Device Matters

Skin Works uses professional picosecond platforms including Cynosure PicoSure Pro and Rohrer Aesthetics PicoLazer. Both are prescription laser systems, but they are not interchangeable from a regulatory or technical standpoint.

Platform	Core wavelengths	FDA-cleared examples	What matters clinically
PicoSure Pro / PicoSure Workstation	755 nm, with optional 532 nm and 1064 nm delivery systems	The 755 nm system is cleared for tattoo and benign pigmented lesion removal, including melasma, nevus of Ota and Hori macules. With designated handpieces and the Focus Array, it is also cleared for acne scars and wrinkles in Skin Types I-IV.	The 755 nm alexandrite wavelength and fractional Focus optics create options for pigment and selected texture concerns. The exact handpiece matters.
PicoLazer	1064 nm and 532 nm Nd:YAG	1064 nm is cleared for benign pigmented lesions and dark tattoo inks in Fitzpatrick I-VI. The 532 nm wavelength is cleared for benign pigmented lesions and lighter tattoo inks in Fitzpatrick I-III.	The 1064 nm wavelength can be useful when a deeper-penetrating wavelength is appropriate. Its FDA clearance should not be stretched into claims for acne scars or wrinkles that are not listed in K192583.

FDA-cleared does not mean every pico laser is cleared for every concern. A platform may be cleared for pigment but not for scars, or a wavelength may be cleared only for certain Fitzpatrick skin types. Device-specific labeling matters.

What Pigment Problems Can Pico Laser Treat?

Benign pigmented lesions are among the best-established uses of picosecond lasers. Examples can include solar lentigines, commonly called sun spots or age spots, freckles and selected other benign pigment patterns. The exact lesion still needs to be identified before treatment.

A brown spot is not a diagnosis. Solar lentigines, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, freckles and suspicious lesions can behave very differently under laser treatment. A new, changing, bleeding, itching or unusual spot should be medically evaluated before cosmetic laser treatment.

For a broader explanation of pigment causes and treatment choices, see our guide to brown spots on the face and our separate article on sun damage on the face, scalp and hands.

Can Pico Laser Treat Melasma?

Melasma needs a more careful answer than a typical sun spot. It is a chronic, relapse-prone pigment disorder influenced by light exposure, hormones, inflammation and individual biology. The current PicoSure 755 nm labeling specifically includes melasma among its benign pigmented lesion indications, but that does not make laser the automatic first choice for every patient.

A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing 755 nm picosecond alexandrite treatment with conventional therapies found that triple-combination topical therapy produced greater improvement in the included studies. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation was also more frequent in the laser group than with topical creams. Earlier reviews found that picosecond treatment can improve melasma, but outcomes vary by wavelength, protocol and patient.

Melasma should be managed as a condition, not chased as a spot. Sun protection and recurrence prevention remain part of the plan.

Does Pico Laser Work for Acne Scars and Texture?

Fractional picosecond treatment can improve selected atrophic acne scars and texture. The PicoSure 755 nm system with designated handpieces and Focus Array is FDA-cleared for acne scars and wrinkles in Skin Types I-IV.

A 2026 randomized split-face study compared a 755 nm picosecond laser with a 1565 nm nonablative fractional laser in 27 patients with atrophic acne scars. Both sides improved, with no statistically significant efficacy difference. The picosecond side had shorter erythema and swelling and no crusting in that study.

That does not mean pico laser is the best scar treatment for everyone. Icepick, rolling and boxcar scars are structurally different. Deep tethered scars may need subcision, TCA CROSS, RF microneedling, filler or ablative resurfacing. The most useful scar plan starts by identifying the scar type. See our acne scar treatment guide for a scar-specific approach.

What Does “Pico Skin Rejuvenation” Actually Mean?

“Skin rejuvenation” is a broad marketing term. In studies, fractional picosecond treatment has been used for photoaging, dyschromia, fine lines, pores, acne scars and texture. A systematic review of picosecond laser literature found the strongest evidence for tattoo removal and useful evidence for benign pigment, rejuvenation, melasma and scar revision, but the level of evidence differed by indication.

A discrete sun spot needs a different plan from deeper scar or wrinkle correction. Pico treatment often has lighter recovery than ablative resurfacing, but it should not be presented as equivalent to fractional CO2 for deep texture or significant scarring.

Pico Laser vs. IPL, CO2, Erbium and RF Microneedling

Treatment	Often considered for	Recovery pattern	Main limitation
Pico laser	Selected benign pigment, sun spots, post-acne pigment and certain scar or rejuvenation plans	Often mild redness or swelling; fractional settings can create more visible recovery	Results depend heavily on wavelength, handpiece, diagnosis, skin type and settings
IPL	Diffuse brown discoloration plus redness or visible vessels	Usually short; brown spots can darken temporarily	IPL is not a laser and is not appropriate for every skin tone or pigment pattern
Fractional CO2 or Erbium	Deeper texture, wrinkles, acne scars and resurfacing	More visible healing, especially with ablative treatment	More downtime and greater pigment-risk considerations
RF microneedling	Texture, acne scars, pores and selected laxity concerns	Usually several days of redness, swelling or pinpoint marks	It treats a different tissue target and does not directly remove pigment the way a pigment laser can

If redness and brown discoloration are both major concerns, an IPL photofacial may deserve comparison. If deeper textural change is the priority, review the broader skin resurfacing options rather than choosing a device based only on downtime.

Is Pico Laser Safe for Darker Skin Tones?

Some picosecond wavelengths have FDA-cleared benign-pigment indications across Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI, while other wavelengths have narrower labeled skin-type ranges. For example, PicoLazer 1064 nm is cleared for benign pigmented lesions in Fitzpatrick I-VI, while its 532 nm pigment indication is limited to I-III.

Darker skin can be treated, but that does not make every setting safe. Higher epidermal melanin increases the importance of wavelength selection, fluence, recent sun exposure and conservative technique. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation remain possible complications.

What Does Treatment Feel Like, and What Is the Downtime?

The experience depends on the device and settings. Protective eyewear is required. Patients often describe quick snapping, prickling or warmth. Numbing may be offered for sensitive areas or fractional treatment plans.

Temporary redness, warmth, swelling and darkening of treated pigment can occur. A discrete pigment treatment may settle quickly. Fractional scar or rejuvenation settings can create more visible redness or pinpoint changes for several days.

“No downtime” should not be treated as a guarantee. Skin response varies, and more aggressive settings generally create a stronger recovery response.

How Many Pico Laser Sessions Do You Need?

There is no universal evidence-based number. A discrete benign pigmented lesion may respond quickly, while diffuse sun damage, acne scars, melasma and broader rejuvenation plans often require a series and reassessment.

Clinical schedules vary by indication. The 2026 acne-scar trial used three sessions at four-week intervals, while pigment and melasma studies use other protocols. A fixed promise such as “three sessions for everyone” is not medically useful.

For pigment, visible change often appears as treated pigment darkens and then fades or flakes over days to weeks. Texture and collagen-related changes are slower because remodeling continues after the early recovery period.

Pico Laser Risks and Safety

Picosecond lasers can be well tolerated when the diagnosis, wavelength and settings are appropriate, but they remain medical lasers. Expected short-term effects can include redness, swelling, tenderness, temporary darkening of pigment and mild crusting depending on treatment intensity.

Potential complications include post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, blistering, burns, prolonged redness, infection and scarring. Eye protection is essential. Risk depends on skin type, recent tanning, wavelength, fluence and technique.

Ultrashort pulses can limit prolonged heat spread, but appropriate patient selection and settings still determine safety.

How Much Does Pico Laser Cost at Skin Works?

The latest Skin Works price list dated September 17, 2026 lists the following standard prices for common Pico Laser areas. Pricing varies by location and treatment area, so the exact plan should be confirmed before purchase.

Treatment area	Current standard price	Location note
Face	$500	Listed at Torrance and El Segundo
Neck	$500	Listed at Torrance and El Segundo
Spot treatment	$250	El Segundo lists Pico spot treatment; Torrance lists melasma spot treatment at the same price

Other areas, combinations and package pricing are available and differ by location. The treatment area should be chosen after the provider confirms that pico technology is appropriate for the concern.

What Should You Ask Before Booking?

Ask what condition is being treated, which device and wavelength will be used, whether a fractional optic is part of the plan, how the provider is adjusting treatment for your skin tone, what recovery is realistic, and what alternative would be recommended if pico is not the best match.

For melasma, ask about the full pigment-control plan rather than the laser alone. For acne scars, ask what scar types you have. For a brown spot, ask whether the lesion is clearly benign before it is treated cosmetically.

The diagnosis matters more than the device name.

Pico technology is versatile, but versatility is not a reason to use it for every pigment or texture concern. The best result comes from matching the wavelength, handpiece and settings to the actual problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pico laser FDA-approved?

The more accurate term for these devices is FDA-cleared. PicoSure Workstation and PicoLazer are Class II laser systems cleared through the 510(k) pathway for specified indications.

Is PicoSure the same as Pico laser?

No. PicoSure Pro is a specific picosecond platform. “Pico laser” is the broader technology category that includes multiple devices with different wavelengths, optics and FDA-cleared uses.

Can Pico laser treat melasma?

It can be part of a melasma plan for selected patients, and the PicoSure 755 nm labeling specifically includes melasma. But melasma is chronic and recurrence-prone. Recent randomized-trial evidence does not show 755 nm picosecond treatment to be universally better than topical therapy, and post-inflammatory pigmentation remains a concern.

Can Pico laser improve acne scars?

Yes, selected atrophic acne scars can improve with fractional picosecond treatment. It does not erase every scar, and deeper or tethered scars may need subcision, focal treatment, RF microneedling, filler or ablative resurfacing.

Is Pico laser safe for darker skin?

Some pico wavelengths are cleared for benign pigment treatment across Fitzpatrick I-VI, while others have narrower ranges. Darker skin can be treated, but wavelength, fluence and recent sun exposure must be considered carefully because pigment changes remain possible.

How much downtime should I expect?

Recovery depends on the protocol. Light pigment-focused sessions may cause short-lived redness or swelling. Fractional scar or rejuvenation settings can create more visible redness and pinpoint changes for several days.

How much is Pico laser at Skin Works?

The September 17, 2026 price list shows face and neck treatments at $500 each at both Torrance and El Segundo. Spot treatment is listed at $250 in El Segundo, and Torrance lists a melasma spot treatment at $250. Other areas and combinations have separate pricing.

Sources & Medical References

This article is educational and does not replace an in-person evaluation. Device clearance, study findings and manufacturer information do not guarantee the same outcome for every patient. Treatment candidacy, settings, risks and recovery should be individualized.

Pico Laser Skin Rejuvenation in Los Angeles: Results, Safety & What It Treats