PicoWay^® Global for Wrinkles, Skin Texture and Scars

PicoWay^® Laser for Total Skin Rejuvenation

PicoWay^® laser is an extremely advanced laser which uses picoseconds – the fastest pulse in dermatology lasers.  A picosecond is one millionth of one millionth of a second, or 0.000 000 000 001 seconds (in other words a picosecond is to one second, as one second is to approximately 31,688.76 years).

Picosecond lasers are extremely good at removing pigmentation, whether it is a birth mark or a sun spot or a tattoo. In addition, it was also noticed that the skin quality at the site which had been treated with the PicoWay^® laser looked better in quality with an improvement in fine lines, texture and pores.

It does this because the superfast pulse (trillionths of a second) is so fast that it does not cause excessive heat in the skin but generates highly controlled supersonic shock waves and plasma under the skin that stimulate production of collagen and elastin while optimising the structure of the skin. This effect is enhanced when it is used in a fractionated way (treating a fraction of the skin so that the supersonic waves are concentrated in very small areas but leave islands of untreated skin, which generates the improved collagen and elastin).

As a result the PicoWay^® laser has also been developed to improve fine lines, wrinkles, pores and acne scars.

When used to treat all of an area of skin in this way we refer to it as “PicoWay^® Global Treatment” as we are applying the benefits of the PicoWay^® laser “globally” to all of that area of skin.

What Does the PicoWay^® Global Treatment Involve?

The skin is cleaned of make up and, if the face is being treated, the eyes are protected with external googles.

From the patient’s perspective this highly powerful treatment does not break the surface of the skin and is so fast it feels like warm, but not painful, “sparkles” and vibrations and there is a “snapping sound” from the supersonic shock waves.  For most individuals it usually does not require any local anaesthetic cream or painkillers.  This makes it a popular choice for young people seeking a gentle improvement in acne scars.

A face treatment takes around 15-20 minutes.  

Which Parts of the Body Can be Treated with PicoWay^® Global?

The PicoWay^® treatment can easily be done on any part of the body.  One additional advantage is that is does not require local anaesthetic cream which means that, if desired, larger areas can be treated on the same visit.

What Does the Skin Look Like After PicoWay^® Global?

Immediately after the PicoWay^® treatment the skin looks slightly flushed, similar to what one would see after a brisk walk in a breeze. This flushing usually settles within a few minutes. If high settings are used, tiny pin point red spots like tiny bruises can occur under the skin (called petechiae). If this occurs it is not a problem and in fact will probably result in an even better outcome, but if patients wish to avoid petechiae then the energy settings can be reduced and the petechiae can be avoided.

How Many PicoWay^® Global Treatments Are Required?

The more treatments performed, the better the result. The best results are seen after multiple regular sessions but we usually suggest aiming for at least 4-6 treatments to start with. Each time the treatment is performed there should be an improvement. The treatment can be repeated every 2 weeks, if desired.

Is PicoWay^® Global Suitable for All Skin Types?

The fractionated PicoWay^® can be done with either the 532nm or 1064 nm wavelength. The 532 can help remove unwanted pigmentation but has some advantages if one has fair skin with unwanted pigmentation. However, it is not suitable for those with darker skin and tends to cause some pinkness for several days afterwards and is more likely to cause petechiae.

However the 1064nm can be used safely on all skin colours including very dark skin and tends to cause less pinkness afterwards, so at Dermatology Consulting we tend to use the 1064nm fractionated setting for rejuvenation and acne scars. It can also be used if there is a tan.

In Summary – How Would One Describe the Advantages of the PicoWay^® Global Treatment?

PicoWay^® Global Treatment is an option for those who want a treatment that helps wrinkles, skin texture and pores and want less recovery time than the Fraxel Restore.  It can also help scars.

The patients we have treated so far say it is one of their favourite laser treatments.

How Much Does a PicoWay^® Global Treatment Cost?

The price of a full face with PicoWay^® Global is £555.