Stubborn pigmentation marks are a common occurrence after a certain age, especially after a sun-clad summer. Even with the best home skin exfoliation routine, these spots rarely go away on their own. Some people cover them up with makeup to get an even skin tone, but that’s a hassle few of us want to deal with.

Up to 50% of the population can develop melasma and other forms of pigmentation after UV exposure, depending on their skin type. Procedures like the PicoWay® laser have shown effectiveness in reducing pigmentation, resulting in clearer and youthful skin. This blog will address how the procedure works and why Dr. Ostad recommends it during this laser season.

What Is PicoWay®?

PicoWay® is a non-invasive laser treatment that uses ultra-short energy pulses to break down pigment. This procedure is different from traditional lasers because, instead of using photothermal energy (heat), it uses photoacoustic energy (ultra-short light pulses).Thanks to this technology, the thermal effect is reduced, keeping the side effects at a minimum. This makes it particularly suitable for individuals with darker skin, who are prone to developing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Why Get PicoWay® in the Fall Season?

PicoWay® is a gentle treatment that is effective for all seasons, but there are more benefits to getting it post-summer. For one, UV levels significantly drop in the fall, making it a better healing environment for post-treatment skin. Humidity is also lower as the season cools, making you less likely to sweat and further irritate the skin. 

Most importantly, by getting the procedure during laser season, you address the damage brought on by the summer sun. Unless you constantly wear broad-spectrum SPF 50+, you might have developed new spots. PicoWay® helps clear the skin, so you don’t have to wear makeup.

Types of Pigmentation Addressed with PicoWay®

PicoWay® can address different forms of pigmentation, either caused by age, skin constitution, or sun exposure. The most common are the following:

1. Sun Spots and Age Spots

PicoWay® can be used to treat solar lentigines (sun spots) or liver spots (age spots), which can appear on every part of the body. These flat, dark spots are usually small in size but frequent, giving the skin a textured look. The procedure breaks down the pigment and promotes clearer skin over time. 

2. Freckles

Freckles are clusters of melanin that affect at least 1 billion people in the world. They are particularly frequent in individuals with light skin tones and intensify after excessive UV exposure. 

PicoWay® can break down the pigment within the freckles, and the body will naturally flush it out. The result is clear skin with fewer (or even no) freckles, depending on their severity and the number of treatments. 

3. Melasma

Melasma appears as brown or gray-brown patches, with most people getting it on their face. The condition is particularly difficult to get rid of, especially when it occurs in the dermal layer. 

PicoWay® can reach deeper into the skin compared to typical exfoliation treatments, making it a more suitable choice for those who easily trigger new spots. Regular PicoWay® treatments keep melasma at bay, especially as the condition is reactivated by hormones or sun exposure. 

Tattoos may not have been created by sunlight exposure or your body, but they’re still a form of pigmentation. The only difference is that it’s there by choice. 

4. Tattoos

Whether it’s an old tattoo you grew tired of or a recent one you impulsively got this summer, the picosecond technology can break the pigments into tiny particles. Once they no longer have a hold of your cells, the body will flush the pigment out and leave clearer skin behind. 

Get Your PicoWay® Treatment Today!

The PicoWay® laser is one of the most effective tools to break up all types of pigment from the skin. Whether you are dealing with freckles, sun spots, or even tattoos, a few PicoWay® sessions can help you have clearer skin. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ostad today and get your first PicoWay® treatment!

For more information about PicoWay®, contact Dr. Ariel Ostad at 212-517-7900. He can create the appropriate treatment plan to get the best results. You can also fill out the provided online contact form, and we will get in touch with you soon for an appointment.