What Is a Pico Laser? A Clear Guide to How It Works
- ABSMedSpa
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Dark spots, old tattoos, and stubborn acne scars share one frustrating trait. They stick around long after you want them gone.
Pico lasers changed how skin experts tackle these problems. They work faster and gentler than the lasers that came before them.
Advanced Skin, Body, Wellness MedSpa is the first in Minnesota to offer PicoFy by InMode, a new pico laser that launched in early 2026. Below, we'll break down what a pico laser actually is and why it matters for your skin.
What Is a Pico Laser?
A pico laser is a skin treatment that fires energy in incredibly short bursts. The name comes from "picosecond," a unit of time equal to one trillionth of a second.
That speed is the whole point. The laser hits pigment so quickly that it shatters the color into tiny particles your body can clear away on its own.
Older lasers relied on heat to break down pigment. Pico lasers do the job in a fraction of the time, which spares the skin around the target and cuts down your recovery.
How Does a Pico Laser Work?
Picture a dark spot or tattoo ink sitting in your skin. Each pigment particle absorbs the laser's energy.
A pico laser delivers energy in pulses lasting just picoseconds. The pulse creates a rapid pressure wave that fractures the pigment, sort of like tapping glass until it cracks into dust.
Once the pigment breaks apart, your lymphatic system carries the pieces away over the following weeks. Your spot fades or your tattoo lightens, session after session.
Because the energy moves so fast, it barely warms the surrounding tissue. That means less redness, fewer side effects, and a more comfortable visit.
What Can a Pico Laser Treat?
Pico lasers handle a wide list of concerns. Here's where they shine:
Melasma and dark patches. Heat-based lasers can worsen melasma. Pico technology treats it with far less risk of flare-ups.
Tattoos. The rapid pulses shatter ink that older lasers struggle with, including tricky colors.
Microblading. Regret those brows? A pico laser can lift cosmetic ink without scorching the hair around it.
Scars. The energy softens scar tissue and nudges your skin to build fresh collagen.
Fine lines and dull tone. Regular sessions smooth texture and brighten overall skin.
Your provider tailors the settings to your skin and your goal, so no two treatment plans look exactly alike.
(Psst...Wonder if a pico laser is right to treat your scars? Check out our blog post on laser scar removal and how to choose between CO2 lasers, IPL, and Pico lasers depending on depth, texture, and color.)
The PicoFy Difference
PicoFy is InMode's next-generation pico laser, released in early 2026. We were the first practice in Minnesota to bring it to clients.
It fires 300-picosecond pulses at a peak power of 2.0 GW. In plain terms, that combination shatters pigment with real force while keeping heat to a minimum.
PicoFy relies on photoacoustic fragmentation. Instead of cooking the pigment, it uses sound-like pressure waves to break it apart. Your skin stays cooler and heals quicker.
The platform runs two wavelengths, 1064nm and 532nm. That range lets your provider target deep pigment or surface spots with precision.
ELLE named PicoFy the "Best Glass Skin Laser" in its 2026 Tools and Treatments Awards. Testers pointed to its speed and its knack for fading lingering acne scars.
Here's what sets PicoFy apart in the treatment room:
Speed: It's one of the fastest pico lasers available, which shortens your sessions.
Comfort: Low heat means less sting and quicker recovery.
Range: From melasma to microblading to fine lines, one device covers a lot of ground.
Consistency: Built-in controls keep energy steady from your first visit to your last.
Is a Pico Laser Safe for Every Skin Type?
Older lasers carried real risk for deeper skin tones, since heat could trigger new pigmentation. That kept a lot of people out of the chair.
PicoFy's low-heat approach opens the door wider. The gentler energy makes it a safer fit across a broad range of skin tones.
Safety still depends on the person running the device. Always book with a trained, licensed provider who knows how to read your skin.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Your first appointment starts with a skin assessment. We talk through your goals and map out how many sessions you'll likely need.
The treatment itself moves quickly. Most clients describe a light snapping feeling, and the low heat keeps it manageable.
Many people notice a difference after a single session. Deeper pigment or dense tattoos usually call for a short series to reach full results.
Take Your Results Further: Pairing PicoFy With Morpheus8 or Lumecca Peak IPL
PicoFy works on pigment and surface texture. For localized, deeper discoloration like a stubborn dark spot or melasma patch, it's the right tool. Morpheus8 goes deeper still, using radiofrequency microneedling to remodel the layers beneath the skin's surface.
If your goal is overall brightening and a more even skin tone across a wider area, Lumecca Peak IPL pairs well with PicoFy. Think of it this way: PicoFy targets the more significant problem spots, and Lumecca handles the rest.
Together, they let you build a full skin plan. Morpheus8 adds firmer structure through deep subdermal remodeling, while Lumecca Peak IPL takes care of overall brightness and broader tone correction across the face.
Ask your provider whether a combination fits your goals. It's a popular route for clients who want a bigger change.
Book Your Pico Laser Consultation
A pico laser gives you a fast, low-downtime way to fade spots, erase ink, and refresh your skin. PicoFy takes that technology further, and you can try it right here in Apple Valley.
Call us at 651-235-8762 to talk with our team or book your consultation online. We'll help you figure out if PicoFy is the right match for your skin.
