Laser guide · PicoSure
PicoSure laser in Singapore: what PicoSure and PicoSure Pro are, and how they compare with other pico lasers
PicoSure is a brand of picosecond laser. Here is what it is, what the evidence says about pico lasers in general, and how it compares with the pico laser Dr Sin Yong uses at SkinRev Lab.
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
- PicoSure is a picosecond laser made by Cynosure, built around a 755 nm alexandrite wavelength; PicoSure Pro adds a 532 nm wavelength.
- SkinRev Lab does not use PicoSure. Dr Sin Yong uses the DEKA TORO for T2 Frax Radiance (pigment) and T2 Targeted Tattoo (tattoos), and the Fotona StarWalker for R2 Glow.
- Which wavelength suits your pigment or ink, and how the laser is set, matter more than the brand. That is decided after an examination.
What it is
What PicoSure laser is
PicoSure laser is a picosecond laser: it fires pulses lasting trillionths of a second, which break pigment and tattoo ink mainly by a pressure wave rather than by heat. It was one of the first picosecond lasers cleared in the United States for tattoo removal, in 2012, and is built around a 755 nm alexandrite wavelength.
PicoSure Pro is the newer version, which adds a 532 nm wavelength for red and orange ink and superficial brown pigment. A diffractive "Focus" lens is used with PicoSure to split the beam into many small points for texture treatments.
Compared
PicoSure vs PicoWay vs DEKA TORO and other pico lasers
All picosecond lasers share the short pulse; they differ in wavelengths, which decide what each can target. The table uses published device specifications:
| Laser | Maker | Main wavelengths | At SkinRev Lab? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PicoSure | Cynosure | 755 nm | No |
| PicoSure Pro | Cynosure | 755 nm and 532 nm | No |
| PicoWay | Candela | 1064 nm and 532 nm, with 785 nm and 730 nm handpieces | No |
| TORO | DEKA | 785 nm picosecond; 532 nm and 1064 nm nanosecond | Yes: T2 Frax Radiance and T2 Targeted Tattoo |
| StarWalker | Fotona | 1064 nm Nd:YAG (picosecond and nanosecond) and 532 nm | Yes: R2 Glow |
Wavelengths from manufacturers' published specifications; device names describe hardware, not results.
755 nm is well absorbed by melanin and by blue, green and black ink, but is used more cautiously in darker skin. 1064 nm passes deeper with less absorption by surface melanin, which is why it is usually preferred for darker skin and deeper pigment.
Uses and evidence
What PicoSure and other pico lasers are used for, and what the evidence shows
- Tattoo removal: reviews suggest an advantage over nanosecond lasers mainly for blue and green ink; for black ink the difference is small.
- Sun spots and freckles: picosecond lasers clear many epidermal spots, with darkening (PIH) the main risk in Asian skin.
- Melasma: low-energy settings are sometimes used alongside creams; melasma commonly returns.
- Texture and acne scars with lens arrays: modest change; deeper scars usually need other treatments.
Most studies are small and compare devices in different ways, so no single pico laser brand has been shown to be better than the others for every use.
Caution
Who should be cautious with any pico laser
- Melasma or a history of darkening after injury: gentle settings and creams first.
- A recent tan or sunburn: treatment waits.
- Cosmetic tattoos with red, white or skin-toned pigment: a test spot first, because these can darken.
- A changing or unusual dark spot: a doctor checks it before any laser.
At SkinRev Lab
What SkinRev Lab uses instead of PicoSure
SkinRev Lab does not offer PicoSure or PicoWay. Dr Sin Yong uses the DEKA TORO for T2 Frax Radiance (sun spots, uneven tone, post-acne marks) and T2 Targeted Tattoo (tattoos and cosmetic tattoos gone wrong), and the Fotona StarWalker for R2 Glow (dull, uneven tone). He examines the pigment first and explains which, if any, suits you. Medical treatment is priced at consultation. WhatsApp 8266 9585, daily 11am to 8pm.
Sources
References & sources
- Reiter O, Atzmony L, Akerman L, et al. Picosecond lasers for tattoo removal: a systematic review. Lasers Med Sci. 2016;31(7):1397-1405.
- Wu DC, Goldman MP, Wat H, Chan HHL. A systematic review of picosecond laser in dermatology: evidence and recommendations. Lasers Surg Med. 2021;53(1):9-49.
- Torbeck RL, Schilling L, Khorasani H, et al. Evolution of the picosecond laser: a review of literature. Dermatol Surg. 2019;45(2):183-194.
Common questions
Your questions,
answered
What is PicoSure laser?
PicoSure is a picosecond laser made by Cynosure, built around a 755 nm wavelength, used for tattoo removal, pigment and, with a lens array, skin texture.
What is PicoSure Pro?
The newer PicoSure model, which adds a 532 nm wavelength to the 755 nm, for red and orange ink and superficial brown pigment.
Is PicoSure better than other pico lasers?
Not as a rule. Pico lasers differ mainly in wavelengths; which suits you depends on the pigment or ink and your skin type, and on how the laser is set.
Does SkinRev Lab offer PicoSure?
No. Dr Sin Yong uses the DEKA TORO for T2 Frax Radiance and T2 Targeted Tattoo, and the Fotona StarWalker for R2 Glow.
Is PicoWay better for tattoo removal?
PicoWay offers 1064, 532, 785 and 730 nm options; other platforms cover similar colours. For tattoo removal, matching each ink colour to the right wavelength and spacing sessions well matter more than the brand.
How many pico laser sessions are needed?
It depends on the pigment or ink. Sun spots may need one to a few sessions; tattoos usually need several, six to eight weeks or more apart.