Confirm the diagnosis
A new or changing lesion needs examination before it is treated cosmetically. Studies of melasma do not tell us whether a different type of pigmented spot will respond.
Service
Pico laser for pigmentation
Updated
Understand where Pico laser fits before choosing a procedure.
Pico laser uses very short light pulses to target selected pigmentation. Suitability depends on the diagnosis, wavelength, settings and skin response. Melasma and post-inflammatory marks require particular caution because treatment can worsen pigment or be followed by recurrence. A consultation helps compare laser with medical care and other options.
About pico laser
A dark spot can look much like the one beside it and still need a different plan. Sun spots, marks left behind by acne and melasma all involve pigment, but they do not respond to treatment in the same way. We start by understanding what is causing yours.
Pico laser delivers very short pulses of light to target selected pigment. Where it fits, it becomes one part of your care alongside sun protection and a routine your skin can tolerate. The choice of treatment depends on the diagnosis, your skin tone and your previous response to procedures.
At SkinWise Clinic in Carmelaram, near Sarjapur Road, we talk through those choices before a procedure is booked. Bring your current skincare products and details of anything you have tried before — they help us build a plan around your skin.
When an assessment may help
- Selected benign sun spots, after a dermatologist has identified the pigment.
- Certain deeper pigment conditions, where the wavelength and your skin type are suitable.
- Persistent uneven pigmentation that needs a discussion of options beyond home care.
When to reassess or defer treatment
- Melasma needs particular caution: laser can trigger a flare or relapse and is not a first step.
- Marks after acne or eczema can worsen with laser-induced inflammation. Treating the underlying condition and protecting the skin come first.
- A new or changing dark spot needs a diagnosis before cosmetic treatment is considered.
How treatment is planned
Compare suitable options
Discuss what home care or medical treatment could achieve, and why a laser is being considered. Ask which device and wavelength would be used for your diagnosis; the name “Pico” alone does not answer that question.
Discuss a test spot and recovery
Ask whether a test spot would help assess your response. It does not eliminate the risk of pigment change. Plan around the proposed treatment and allow recovery time rather than relying on a no-downtime promise.
Review before repeating
Compare the response and any adverse effects before deciding on another session. More treatment is not automatically better.
Preparing, recovering and following up
Before treatment
Share prior laser reactions, recent tanning, skin infections, medicines and pregnancy or breastfeeding. Obtain the specific preparation instructions before booking a procedure.
After treatment
Redness, swelling, discomfort and crusting may occur. Follow the agreed skincare and sun-protection instructions. Ask which changes are expected and contact the clinic for worsening pain, blistering or signs of infection.
Longer term
Darker or lighter patches and scarring are possible. Improvement and recurrence depend on the condition; a session count cannot guarantee clearance.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pico laser cure melasma?
It is not an established cure. Melasma may return and laser can worsen pigmentation. Research differs by wavelength and comparator, so it supports a cautious, individual decision alongside sun protection and medical care.
Is Pico suitable for all Indian skin?
No treatment is suitable for everyone. Skin tone, tanning, diagnosis, prior reactions and the proposed wavelength and settings all matter. Nationality does not identify one skin type or predict the result.
Should I ask for a test spot?
Ask whether one is appropriate for your diagnosis and what it can show. A test spot can inform planning but cannot guarantee that a larger treatment area will respond without complications.
How many sessions will I need?
An estimate follows assessment of the diagnosis and treatment area. Response and recovery should be reviewed before repeating treatment; there is no universal course.
Can I consult before deciding on laser?
Yes. Book a pigmentation consultation to discuss the options and an individual treatment estimate before deciding on a procedure.
Evidence behind these choices
- Picosecond lasers for melasma: systematic review (2023)
Results differed by wavelength and comparator across six trials. Evidence about melasma cannot establish effectiveness for every type of dark spot.
- 755-nm picosecond laser for melasma: trial review (2026)
Five small trials favoured triple-combination cream over this laser for melasma severity, with more pigment worsening after laser versus topical comparators. Certainty was low; this does not describe all Pico devices.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in skin of colour (2024)
This systematic review found varied, limited evidence across treatments. Procedures can also worsen pigmentation; published response rates are not predictions for an individual patient.
- Melasma management: international expert consensus (2026)
Supports photoprotection and supervised medical treatment, with lasers reserved for selected resistant cases. Expert consensus does not establish one treatment sequence for everyone.
Related reading
Conditions we treat with pico laser
Ready to start with a consult?
Most plans at SkinWise begin with a focused consultation. We map the concern, talk through what you’ve tried, and only then suggest what comes next — no oversell.
Plan your first visit: appointments, clinic location and what to bring.