Pico Laser: Spot Removal and Toning

All of our pico treatments use the same picosecond laser, but the purpose, energy and downtime differ.

• Pico Spot: targets well-defined dark spots and freckles one by one. It can make melasma worse, so if you have melasma we use Pico Toning instead.
• Pico Toning: low-energy treatment across the face to gradually even out melasma, dullness and faint uneven tone.
• Pico Fractional: aims to improve pores, acne scars and uneven skin texture.

Want to remove dark spots? Pico Spot. Want to even out dullness or melasma across your face? Pico Toning. Also bothered by pores or texture? Pico Fractional.

Pico Spot fires laser pulses lasting picoseconds to break the melanin pigment in spots into fine particles.

It targets spots and freckles with fairly clear edges, with care to limit heat to the surrounding skin.

What looks like a “spot” may be a sun spot (solar lentigo), freckles, melasma, post-inflammatory pigmentation or a seborrheic keratosis, and each needs a different treatment.

At ECLAT CLINIC OMIYA, the doctor checks the type, color and thickness of your spots, any melasma or post-inflammatory pigmentation, and your previous treatments before treating.

• Fades well-defined spots and freckles. We treat only the spots the doctor judges suitable. The broken-up pigment is cleared by the body over time.
• Less stress on the surrounding skin. Picosecond lasers break up pigment with a photoacoustic effect. Compared with older nanosecond lasers, heat has less time to spread, which helps reduce redness, scabs and post-inflammatory pigmentation.
• Many spots in a short time. We treat each spot according to its size and color, up to the full face.
• Clear prices. From one spot to unlimited spots on the full face.

While at Shonan Beauty Clinic, Dr. Sando ranked No. 1 nationwide within the clinic group for the number of laser spot-removal cases in 2025, and received its 2023 Best Doctor Award.

Types of pigmentation

• Sun spots (solar lentigines): brown spots with fairly clear edges, often caused by UV. A typical case for Pico Spot.
• Freckles: small brown spots scattered symmetrically. Pico Spot may be suitable, though they can return.
• Melasma: hazy, symmetrical patches, often around the cheekbones. It can worsen with stimulation, so we consider Pico Toning and oral or topical medicines.
• Post-inflammatory pigmentation: follows inflammation from acne, rubbing or laser. Time, topical treatment and gentle treatments may come first.
• Seborrheic keratosis: if thick or raised, another method may be better.
• Spots, redness and dullness across the face: IPL or light treatment may also be considered.

Recovery after Pico Spot

• Right after: redness, slight swelling, stinging or a whitish reaction
• After a few days: thin scabs or darker color may show. Do not pick or rub them.
• After 1–2 weeks: scabs come off naturally and the spot looks lighter. The new skin is sensitive to UV and rubbing.
• Weeks to months: temporary post-inflammatory pigmentation may appear. Keep protecting from the sun and moisturizing, and contact us if it darkens.

A shallow spot can fade in one session. Depending on depth and skin type, 2–3 or more sessions may be needed, usually at least 4–8 weeks apart.

Pico Toning applies the picosecond laser at low energy across the face to gradually act on melanin behind melasma, dullness, uneven tone and post-inflammatory pigmentation.

The doctor checks for melasma, the type of spots and your skin, and decides the area and energy.

• Melasma: treated at energy levels for melasma while watching how your skin responds. Melasma also needs oral or topical medicines, sun protection and less rubbing.
• Dullness and uneven tone: even treatment across the face gradually makes dullness and uneven tone less visible.
• Post-inflammatory pigmentation: aims to fade marks left after acne or inflammation. We do not rush to treat skin that is still inflamed.
• Step by step: some people notice brighter, more even skin after one session, but it usually takes several sessions, about 5–10 sessions 2–4 weeks apart.

• We identify the pigmentation first. Where several types are mixed, we treat each area differently instead of using the same setting everywhere.
• We adjust to your skin’s response. At each session we check redness, dryness and color changes, and lengthen the interval, change the settings or pause if the reaction is strong.
• Combined with medicines and calming care. For melasma and post-inflammatory pigmentation we may add sun protection, less rubbing, oral or topical medicines and calming treatments such as CARESYS.

1. Cleansing and skin check.We remove makeup and sunscreen so we can see the color and edges of your spots.
2. Doctor’s examination and plan.The doctor distinguishes spots, freckles, melasma and post-inflammatory pigmentation and decides what to treat. If another treatment suits you better, we compare the options.
3. Laser treatment.Your eyes are protected, and we treat according to the size, color and area of each spot, or across the face for toning.
4. Aftercare.Cooling and ointment if needed, and instructions on washing, makeup, protective tape and sun protection.

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding
• You have just had strong sun exposure, or have strong inflammation, an infection, a wound, herpes or severe dermatitis in the area
• You have photosensitivity or take a medicine that makes you sensitive to light
• You expect strong sun exposure after Pico Toning
• If you have vitiligo or loss of pigment, or had a strong reaction to laser before, talk to the doctor first
• Tattoos or permanent makeup in the area are avoided, or the doctor decides whether treatment is possible
• A spot with an irregular shape or color, rapid growth or bleeding needs a diagnosis first
• If you tend to form keloids or have a serious underlying condition, talk to us first
• The doctor decides the treatment is not suitable for you

• Do not rub the area or pick scabs.
• If we give you protective tape or ointment, use it as instructed.
• Protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen, a hat or a parasol, and moisturize well.
• On the day, avoid long baths, saunas, hard exercise and heavy drinking.
• Restart harsh skincare such as peels, scrubs, retinol and high-strength vitamin C as your skin allows.
• Contact us if you have severe pain, blisters, worsening swelling, pus, lasting redness or a sudden change in color. If you are already home, see a doctor near you and let us know.