Laser technology is ever-evolving in the pursuit of not only better but also safe and long-lasting results. Picosecond technology is one of the latest developments and can be used for a wide range of treatments. However, picosecond technology is not always the same and there are key features that differentiate certain lasers from others.
In this comprehensive comparison, we will analyse key factors such as wavelength, pulse duration, handpieces, and treatment range. Our aim is to give you a clear understanding of which laser system aligns with you and your clinic and why we think the PicoStar is the most advanced pico laser on the market.
The Duration that Matters: Pulse Duration
One key metric when it comes to picosecond laser technology is its pulse duration. To deliver ultra-short pulses of laser energy is one thing but the pulse shape and variations are another metric that directly corresponds with the quality of the system because it directly affects the laser-tissue interaction.
PicoStar
The PicoStar is a state-of-the-art laser system that is able to deliver ultra-short laser pulses of <300ps with a maximum pulse energy of 800mJ. By delivering such short pulses of high laser energy, the PicoStar’s technology enables high levels of accuracy for a wide range of treatments. Additionally, the PicoStar has minimal pulse-to-pulse variations and a very high pulse contrast.
PicoCare
The PicoCare laser uses an Nd:YAG Laser that provides a pulse duration of 450 picoseconds. Although a very short pulse duration, the PicoCare is only capable of producing a maximum power output of 600mJ, 200mJ less than the PicoStar.
PicoSure
The PicoSure provides a pulse duration of between 550-750ps with a pulse energy of only 165-200mJ which results in less powerful picosecond pulses compared to the PicoStar.
PicoWay
The PicoWay system has different pulse durations and energies for each handpiece. The PicoWay Zoom handpiece provides a pulse duration of 375-450ps with an energy of 200-400mJ, the PicoWay 785nm & 730nm handpieces have a pulse duration of 250-300ps with an energy of 100mJ. Finally, the PicoWay Resolve provides a pulse duration of 375-450ps with an energy of only 1.5-2.9mJ.
Conclusion
PicoStar dominates as the pico laser platform that can deliver both short pulses and high energies for the best treatment precision. PicoSure and PicoWay fall short of being able to provide both low pulse duration and high energy pulses, sacrificing one or the other.
Understanding the Power of Wavelength
A laser’s wavelength plays an important role in the effectiveness of the intended treatment. Let’s delve into the significance of the right wavelength and what each device has to offer:
PicoStar
With a dual wavelength of 1064/532nm and multiple handpieces, the PicoStar can provide effective treatments for a range of conditions from pigmentation removal, scar reduction, skin rejuvenation, and all colour tattoo removal.
The ideal wavelength of 532nm has a high absorption in melanin which means that pigments are fragmented by the laser’s energy light and are reabsorbed by the lymphatic system. In comparison, the wavelength of 1064nm has lower absorption in melanin and is, therefore, more gentle, especially on darker skin types.
PicoCare
The PicoCare adopts a “HEXA” MLA focusing lens for skin treatments. It is capable of delivering laser wavelengths of 1064nm, 532nm, 595nm and 660nm depending on the treatment being offered. This gives the PicoCare treatment versatility that matches the PicoStar.
The PicoCare is also capable of treating both light and dark skin tones due to the 1064nm – 532nm range in wavelengths that both of the devices share.
PicoSure
The PicoSure operates mostly at a wavelength of 755nm, a great wavelength for skin rejuvenation treatments and specifically green and blue tattoo removal. Additionally, the PicoSure can also provide wavelengths of 532nm and 1064nm which covers all colour tattoo removal including ‘Sunset Colours’.
PicoWay
The PicoWay offers multiple wavelengths with different handpieces. The PicoWay Zoom offers tattoo removal at a wavelength of 532nm and 1064nm, while the PicoWay 785nm & 730nm can be utilised for the removal of blue and green tattoos and benign pigmented lesions. The PicoWay Resolve Fusion 532nm and the PicoWay Resolve provide benign pigmented lesions treatments while the latter also comes with another handpiece that operates at a 1064nm wavelength to treat acne scars and wrinkles.
Conclusion: All three pico laser platforms have wavelength options that cover and can effectively treat all skin rejuvenation, scar reduction, tattoo removal, and pigmentation removal needs.
Versatility in Handpieces
A key component to determining the precision, efficacy, and flexibility of the treatment capabilities is the handpiece options offered by a laser device.
PicoStar
The PicoStar offers a range of five different handpieces. The Zoom ST and Zoom FT handpieces utilise both wavelengths and come with automatic spot size detection from 2 – 5mm (ST) round spot sizes and 3.5 – 7mm (FT) hexagonal spot sizes. Both handpieces can be used for tattoos and pigmentation treatments.
The FLAT-TOP Performance Sets provide uniform beam profiles for both wavelengths. The FLAT-TOP Performance 532nm Set offers spot sizes of 3mm and 5mm and can be used for tattoos and pigmentation treatments. Meanwhile, the FLAT-TOP Performance 1064nm Set provides the biggest homogenous spot available with 16mm and 10mm and can be used for skin rejuvenation and tightening.
The MicroSpot PICO handpiece boasts a square spot size of 7x7mm2 with 64 single spots at a wavelength of 1064nm and can be used for skin rejuvenation and acne scar treatments on skin type 1-6.
PicoCare
The PicoCare is compatible with a total of 6 different handpieces. These include the Zoom Handpiece (2-10mm spot size) for tattoo removal, laser toning, and pigmentation treatment, a Collimation handpiece (spot size 7mm), the HEXA MLA (micro lens array) handpiece (3-5mm and 5-10mm spot sizes), and two DYE handpieces – one for blue pigment, rosacea, and active acne, and one for green and epidermal pigment (3mm spot size).
Although the PicoCare offers one extra handpiece compared to the PicoStar, it provides a smaller range of spot sizes, with the largest PicoCare spot size being 10mm compared to the 16mm PicoStar spot size.
PicoSure
The PicoSure comes with a standard handpiece that offers a Zoom spot size from 2 – 6mm and fixed spot sizes at 6, 8, and 10mm. With its focus lens array, the handpiece utilises a wavelength of 755nm for skin revitalisation treatments and a 755nm/ 532nm/ 1064nm combination wavelength for tattoo removal.
PicoWay
The PicoWay laser system has a wide variety of handpieces available for different treatments. The PicoWay Zoom handpiece operates at a wavelength of 532nm and 1064nm for tattoo removal and benign pigmented lesions and offers spot sizes from 2mm to 10mm. Meanwhile, the PicoWay Resolve comes with two handpieces with a 6mm x 6mm spot size, one at a wavelength of 532nm to treat wrinkles and benign pigmented lesions and the second one at 1064nm for the treatment of acne scars.
Additionally, the PicoWay offers two Ti:sapphire crystal handpieces at a wavelength of 785nm and 730nm, respectively. Both provide a spot size of 2, 3, and 4mm spot size and can be used to treat benign pigmented lesions as well as blue and green tattoos. The PicoWay Resolve Fusion handpiece operates at a wavelength of 532nm, offering a fusion beam structure for more coverage when treating benign pigmented lesions.
Conclusion: Both the PicoStar and the PicoWay lead the industry in handpiece versatility, allowing for an extra level of customisation depending on the required treatment.
Treatment Range
PicoStar
Pigmentation Removal
With the PicoStar, melanin deposits are precisely targeted while the surrounding tissues remain unharmed. By delivering ultra-short pulses of energy (at 300ps), pigment particles are split into tiny fragments that are easily eliminated by the lymphatic system. The PicoStar is exceptionally effective for a wide range of pigmentation issues such as benign pigmented lesions, melasma, and sunspots. The treatments are fast and painless and it usually only takes one session to achieve impressive results.
Scar Reduction
Taking advantage of the laser’s ultra-short pulses, the PicoStar provides the most effective scar removal and breakdown treatments. Especially acne scars can be treated with high precision with the MicroSpot handpiece.
Skin Rejuvenation
With superb device control, the practitioner can fine-tune the system to deliver outstanding skin rejuvenation and wrinkle removal treatments.
Tattoo Removal
The PicoStar’s dual-wavelength option offers a wide range of pigment colours (from darker colour to blue, red, and yellow) to be treated. The treatments can be precisely adapted to the patient’s needs and require no downtime or anaesthetics. With the laser’s precision, fast and painless treatments can be carried out that leave no scarring and outstanding tattoo removal results.
PicoCare
Pigmentation
The PicoCare is primarily used as a pigmentation removal laser device. The short pulse duration makes it effective at breaking up pigment in the skin, capable of treating both naturally occurring pigmentation issues such as melasma, freckles, and blemishing, and also for treating and removing tattoo pigment.
Skin Rejuvenation
The PicoCare can also be used to provide rejuvenation of the skin, improving the appearance of acne, enlarged pores, and fine wrinkles with the HEXA MLA handpiece. The Zoom and collimation handpieces also provide skin toning treatments.
PicoSure
Skin Revitalisation
The PicoSure utilises the 755nm and its Focus Lens Array feature to deliver energy to the targeted area. By doing so, this wavelength activates the body’s natural cell signalling processes which means that injured cells release proteins, which are then detected by surrounding cells to trigger a healing response. That healing response results in a more youthful appearance by increasing collagen and elastin.
Tattoo Removal
By combining three wavelengths (755nm/ 532nm/ 1064nm), the PicoSure can effectively break down all ink colours across all skin types, without harming surrounding tissue.
PicoWay
Benign Pigmented Lesions
All handpieces of the PicoWay system are able to treat benign pigmented lesions with accuracy. The different wavelengths available allow for different treatment depths. Due to the laser’s high peak power and short pulse durations, accurate and effective results can be delivered with minimal downtime
Tattoo Removal
The PicoWay Zoom enables tattoo removal while the PicoWay 785nm & 730nm handpieces allow for the removal of difficult colours such as blue and green.
Wrinkles
Taking advantage of picosecond technology, the PicoWay also provides wrinkle reduction with the PicoWay Resolve handpiece.
Acne Scars
Utilising the 1064nm wavelength, acne scars can be treated with accuracy while leaving the surrounding area intact.
Why The PicoStar is The Right Choice
Ideal Pulse Shape
Compared to its competitors, the PicoStar has the most advanced picosecond technology on the market. With a very short laser impulse of 300ps, minimal pulse-to-pulse variations (reproducible pulses), and a very high pulse contrast, the PicoStar offers the ideal pulse shape and therefore outstanding laser-tissue interaction.
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Advanced Handpiece Technology
Zoom ST
The Zoom ST is a standard, beginner-friendly handpiece that offers not only automatic spot size detection but also adjustable fluence for different spot sizes. The flattened Gauss laser beam profile allows for optimal targeting in both wavelengths (532nm and 1064nm)
Zoom FT
The specially developed Micro-lens-array generates a uniform laser beam with a dog ear profile for 532nm and 1064nm wavelength. This allows the practitioner to combine fast spot size changes and homogeneous and precise treatment. Additionally, the uniform beam profile prevents hotspots and guarantees safe and effective treatment.
FLAT-TOP Performance
This lens system generates a uniform laser beam and flat-top laser profile. Due to this, practitioners can carry out easy, fast, and precise treatments while the uniform beam profile prevents hotspots. The 16mm spot size is the biggest homogeneous spot on the market with a wavelength of 1064nm.
MicroSpot
The perfectly square-shaped spot generated by the MicroSpot handpiece produces 64 uniform single laser beams and distributes energy homogeneously over the entire spot size. This handpiece utilises the full 800mJ and through laser-induced optical breakdown (LIOB) causes a powerful rejuvenation and dermal-remodelling effect caused by neocollagenesis and re-epithelialization.
Treatment Capabilities
With its wide range of advanced handpieces, the PicoStar offers efficient and safe treatment possibilities for a variety of treatments. The PicoStar provides highly effective tattoo removal treatments with its dual-wavelength ability to destroy every tattoo colour from darker colours such as green and blue to lighter ones like red and yellow.
The PicoStar’s skin rejuvenation treatment provides highly precise outcomes with minimal downtime due to its advanced fractional approach. This fractional approach also enables efficient acne scar treatments, leading to a more even skin texture and tone.
A more even skin tone can also be achieved with the PicoStar’s ability to destroy pigments with its ultra-shot pulses. With the 532nm wavelength and its high absorption in melanin, a range of pigmentation issues such as benign pigmented lesions, melasma, and sunspots can be treated.
Treatment Times and Minimal Downtime
The PicoStar’s advanced technology not only allows for quick treatment times but also results in minimal downtime. With tattoo removal treatments needing 15 minutes treatment time and pigment removal treatments only 5 minutes, this results in a high turnover per hour, making the PicoStar a good investment.
Additionally, to fast treatment times, the highly precise energy output created by the PicoStar leads to effective and safe treatments. This means that patients are typically able to resume normal activities immediately after the treatment. There are mild aftereffects such as redness and swelling or flaking which usually subside within a few days. The PicoStar offers busy people the perfect opportunity to get their desired beauty outcomes without sacrificing much time for the cause.
Ergonomic Design
The PicoStar’s state-of-the-art design allows for efficient and easy-to-use equipment. The long articulated mirror arm offers optimal flexibility while the responsive modern user interface provides intuitive user guidance and is easy to use.
