Laser guide · All lasers
Laser treatment in Singapore: which laser suits which skin concern, and who performs it
"Laser treatment" covers very different machines. This guide matches each common concern to the laser Dr Sin Yong uses at SkinRev Lab, the usual downtime, and the lasers we do not offer.
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
- Laser treatment in Singapore is not one treatment: the right laser depends on whether the concern is pigment, ink, scars, texture, hair or laxity.
- At SkinRev Lab, medical lasers are performed by Dr Sin Yong after a consultation. Downtime ranges from none to about a week.
- In Asian skin the main risk is temporary darkening (PIH), so the diagnosis and settings come before the machine. Medical treatment is priced at consultation.
How lasers work
How laser treatment works
Each laser emits one wavelength. Pigment, ink, blood and water absorb different wavelengths, so the laser is chosen for its target and the pulse length is set so the heat stays where it is wanted: the principle of selective photothermolysis. Very short pulses (nanosecond and picosecond) shatter pigment and ink; longer pulses heat tissue; ablative lasers such as CO2 remove thin columns of skin to rebuild collagen.
| Type | What it does | Typical downtime |
|---|---|---|
| Pigment lasers (pico, Q-switched) | Break pigment and ink into fragments the body clears | Hours to days |
| Non-ablative fractional lasers | Heat tiny columns under an intact surface | A day or two |
| Ablative fractional lasers (CO2, Er:YAG) | Remove tiny columns of skin to remodel scars and texture | About a week |
| Hair removal lasers | Heat the pigment in hair follicles | Little |
| Low-level lasers | Stimulate cells without heating | None |
Sources: Anderson and Parrish, Science 1983; Alexiades-Armenakas et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2008.
By concern
Laser treatment in Singapore by concern, at SkinRev Lab
| Concern | Laser used by Dr Sin Yong | Usual downtime |
|---|---|---|
| Sun spots, freckles, uneven tone | Pico laser (T2 Frax Radiance, DEKA TORO); R2 Glow (Fotona StarWalker) | Hours to several days |
| Melasma | Creams first; gentle laser in selected cases; see melasma treatment | Little |
| Tattoos, embroidery gone wrong | Laser tattoo removal (T2 Targeted Tattoo, DEKA TORO) | One to two weeks of crusting |
| Acne scars, surgical scars | S3 Resurfacing (fractional CO2 laser, DEKA Tetra Pro); Luminescence Laser | Several days (CO2); little (Luminescence) |
| Texture, pores, fine lines | FSX Laser (thulium and erbium-glass) | A day or two |
| Unwanted hair | Laser hair removal (Lutronic Clarity II, 755 and 1064 nm) | Little |
| Thinning hair | H2LT laser (low-level laser) | None |
| Lift, filler-like contour, fat | Time Freeze Laser LCLR | Little |
Facials such as a laser facial or HydraFacial are different from medical laser treatment; see laser facial in Singapore for that comparison.
Not offered
Lasers and light treatments SkinRev Lab does not offer
People often ask about these by name. Each guide explains what it is, honestly, and what Dr Sin Yong uses instead:
Asian skin
Laser treatment in Asian skin: lowering the risk of darkening
- Name the pigment or scar first; the wrong laser for the problem is the commonest cause of disappointment.
- Avoid sun and tanning before and after; a recent tan postpones treatment.
- Conservative settings and sometimes a test patch, especially with a history of darkening after injury.
- Pause strong actives such as retinoids before and after, as advised.
- Report any darkening early: it usually fades, and early care shortens it.
Fractional resurfacing studies in Asian patients show that post-inflammatory darkening is common and mostly temporary, and that it rises with more aggressive settings.
Your visit
What happens at a laser consultation
Dr Sin Yong examines the skin, names the concern, and explains which laser suits it, how many sessions are usual, the downtime and what the laser cannot change. Medical lasers are performed by him at SkinRev Lab, #B1-28 CityLink Mall (City Hall MRT), and 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.
- Chan HH, Manstein D, Yu CS, et al. The prevalence and risk factors of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after fractional resurfacing in Asians. Lasers Surg Med. 2007;39(5):381-385.
- Gan SD, Graber EM. Laser hair removal: a review. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39(6):823-838.
Common questions
Your questions,
answered
Which laser treatment is good for the face?
It depends on the concern: pico laser for spots and uneven tone, Nd:YAG toning for dullness, FSX for texture and pores, and fractional CO2 for acne scars. A doctor matches the laser to the problem.
What is the difference between laser and IPL?
A laser emits one wavelength and is more selective; IPL releases a broad band of light and treats brown and red together but less precisely. SkinRev Lab uses lasers, not IPL.
How much is laser treatment in Singapore?
It depends on the laser, the area and the number of sessions. Medical laser treatment at SkinRev Lab is priced at consultation, after Dr Sin Yong has examined the skin.
Is laser treatment safe for Asian skin?
Generally yes, with the right laser and conservative settings. The main risk is temporary darkening (PIH); sun protection and an accurate diagnosis lower it.
Does laser treatment hurt?
Most lasers feel like warm snaps or prickling. Numbing cream is used for stronger treatments such as spot removal, tattoos and resurfacing.
How many laser sessions will I need?
Most laser treatments are a course of several sessions weeks apart; some spots clear in one or two, and tattoos need more.