Laser guide · Fotona
Fotona laser in Singapore: what Fotona lasers do, what Fotona 4D is, and the Fotona laser used at SkinRev Lab
Fotona is a Slovenian maker of medical lasers. "Fotona laser" can mean several different machines and protocols, so here is what each does, and how Dr Sin Yong uses the Fotona StarWalker for R2 Glow.
Prepared by the SkinRev Lab team · Updated 9 Nov 2026
General information only, not medical advice. Your own suitability is assessed at consultation.
Quick answer
- Fotona makes medical laser systems built mainly on two wavelengths: Er:YAG (2940 nm) for resurfacing and Nd:YAG (1064 nm) for heating, vessels and pigment.
- At SkinRev Lab, Dr Sin Yong performs R2 Glow, a low-downtime brightening course, on the Fotona StarWalker. Fotona 4D is not on the SkinRev Lab treatment list.
- Which Fotona mode, if any, suits you depends on whether the concern is tone, pigment, texture or laxity. Medical treatment is priced at consultation.
What it is
What a Fotona laser is
A Fotona laser is any laser system from Fotona, a manufacturer based in Slovenia. Its aesthetic systems combine wavelengths with very different jobs: Er:YAG at 2940 nm is absorbed strongly by water and removes very thin layers of skin, while Nd:YAG at 1064 nm passes deeper and is used to heat tissue, treat vessels and, in Q-switched or picosecond mode, break up pigment and ink.
That is why two people who both had "Fotona" may describe completely different treatments: one a resurfacing peel with a few days of flaking, another a toning session with almost no downtime.
Types
Fotona lasers by wavelength and use
| Wavelength and mode | Typical uses | Downtime |
|---|---|---|
| Er:YAG 2940 nm (resurfacing) | Fine lines, texture, superficial scars, light peels | Hours to several days, depending on depth |
| Nd:YAG 1064 nm, long pulse | Deep heating for firmness, vessels, hair | Little |
| Nd:YAG 1064 nm, Q-switched or picosecond (StarWalker) | Toning, pigment, tattoo ink | Little (toning) to days (spots, tattoos) |
| KTP 532 nm (StarWalker) | Superficial brown spots, red and orange ink | Spots darken and flake |
Wavelength principles: Anderson and Parrish, Science 1983; Alexiades-Armenakas et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2008.
Fotona 4D
What Fotona 4D is, honestly
Fotona 4D is a named protocol that combines four steps on one Fotona system: an Er:YAG step inside the mouth (SmoothLiftin), Nd:YAG heating steps (FRAC3 and PIANO) and a light Er:YAG resurfacing step (SupErficial). It aims at mild laxity and skin quality with little downtime.
The published studies are mostly small and short, and results are modest and gradual. Fotona 4D is not on SkinRev Lab's treatment list. For lift and firmness, Dr Sin Yong uses Time Freeze Laser LCLR and VF Lift, chosen after assessing the face.
Who it suits
Who Fotona lasers suit, and who should wait
- Suits: dull or uneven tone, scattered sun pigment, fine texture, early laxity, depending on the mode.
- Wait: a recent tan or sunburn, active infection or cold sores in the area, pregnancy.
- Extra caution: melasma, a history of darkening after injury, keloid tendency, recent isotretinoin.
At SkinRev Lab
The Fotona laser at SkinRev Lab: R2 Glow on the StarWalker
At SkinRev Lab, Dr Sin Yong performs R2 Glow laser on the Fotona StarWalker, an Nd:YAG platform with picosecond and nanosecond 1064 nm pulses and a 532 nm wavelength. R2 Glow is a low-downtime brightening course for dull, uneven tone and scattered sun pigment. He is a Global Key Opinion Leader for Fotona, among other device makers.
For pigment and tattoos he also uses the DEKA TORO (T2 Frax Radiance, T2 Targeted Tattoo); for scars, S3 Resurfacing (fractional CO2) and FSX Laser. He examines your skin first and explains which suits you. Medical treatment is priced at consultation. WhatsApp 8266 9585, daily 11am to 8pm.
Sources
References & sources
- Anderson RR, Parrish JA. Selective photothermolysis. Science. 1983;220(4596):524-527.
- Alexiades-Armenakas MR, Dover JS, Arndt KA. The spectrum of laser skin resurfacing: nonablative, fractional, and ablative laser resurfacing. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;58(5):719-737.
- Manstein D, Herron GS, Sink RK, et al. Fractional photothermolysis. Lasers Surg Med. 2004;34(5):426-438.
Common questions
Your questions,
answered
What is Fotona laser?
A laser system from Fotona, a Slovenian manufacturer. Its aesthetic lasers are built mainly on Er:YAG (2940 nm) for resurfacing and Nd:YAG (1064 nm) for heating, vessels and pigment.
What is Fotona 4D?
A four-step Fotona protocol combining an Er:YAG step inside the mouth with Nd:YAG heating and light Er:YAG resurfacing, aimed at mild laxity and skin quality. Evidence is mostly from small studies. It is not offered at SkinRev Lab.
Does SkinRev Lab use a Fotona laser?
Yes, for R2 Glow, which Dr Sin Yong performs on the Fotona StarWalker for dull, uneven tone and scattered sun pigment.
Is Fotona laser painful?
It depends on the mode. Toning usually feels warm and prickly; resurfacing and spot treatment are sharper and may use numbing cream.
How many Fotona laser sessions are needed?
Most Fotona treatments are planned as a course of several sessions weeks apart; resurfacing may be one to a few. The number depends on the mode and the concern.
Is Fotona laser safe for Asian skin?
Generally yes with conservative settings, but heat-based modes carry a risk of temporary darkening (PIH) in Asian skin. Sun protection before and after is important.