Switch Pico Laser

Switch Pico Laser is a laser device (engineered by Cutera) that uses a quality Switch (Q) to deliver powerful laser pulses within a very short pulse duration (a picosecond). It’s high intensity uses ultra-short pulses – in fact, one trillionth of a second.
This device is in a special category of lasers and uses the Nd:Yag garnet (crystals) to generate the laser light.

Treatment areas

The treatment is suitable for almost all face and body areas; the laser can target pigmentation within a specific layer of the skin. This treatment is best for:
• Melasma
• Pigmentation
• Tattoo removal
• Non– ablative rejuvenation – especially in Asian skin.

Treatment process

Once all the safety precautions are followed, including eye shields and corrective glasses, the area is anaesthetised and then treated with the laser light. Treating one area (e.g. the face) usually takes approximately 10-15 minutes.

The treated area is usually red for the first 24 hours and can feel like mild sunburn. Following the treatment, it is advised to avoid the sun and wear SPF 50+.
Pigmentation will usually darken initially for the first 2-3 days and then start to fade after.

Results and treatment duration

The initial treatment usually requires a minimum of 2-3 sessions about 3-4 weeks apart. Once the desired effect is achieved, one-off treatments may be required at 12-18 monthly intervals to maintain results.

How it works

The ultra-short bursts of energy delivered by the laser can disrupt the cells that contain pigment within the skin. Because each pulse is a picosecond, the laser can specifically target the pigment in different layers of the skin, even in darker skin types, without affecting the natural pigment.

Side-effects

Side effects with the pico laser are rare. However, they may include post-laser skin darkening that persists greater than three weeks. This is seen in 2 to 3 per cent of cases. Acne, pimples and bumps have been seen in 2 to 4 per cent of cases, but these are self-resolving.