Pico Laser Korea — PicoSure Toning at RE:BERRY Myeongdong Seoul

Picosecond vs Nanosecond: The Physics of Pico Laser

Picosecond lasers deliver energy pulses measured in trillionths of a second (10⁻¹² seconds), approximately 100 times faster than traditional Q-switched nanosecond lasers. This ultra-short pulse duration generates a predominantly photomechanical effect rather than photothermal damage. When a pico laser pulse strikes a melanin-containing cell, it creates a pressure wave that mechanically shatters the pigment granule into nanometer-sized fragments — far smaller than the micrometer-sized particles produced by nanosecond lasers. These smaller fragments are more efficiently cleared by the body’s macrophage system, resulting in faster pigment elimination with fewer treatment sessions. The reduced thermal component also means less collateral tissue damage, lower risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and shorter recovery times, which is particularly important for pico laser treatment in Korea where patients often have Fitzpatrick III-V skin types.

PicoSure 755nm for Melanin-Specific Targeting

The PicoSure platform used at RE:BERRY Myeongdong operates at 755nm — an alexandrite wavelength with superior melanin absorption compared to the 1064nm Nd:YAG commonly used in other pico laser systems. Brauer et al. (2015) published a prospective study of 58 patients treated with 755nm picosecond laser for benign pigmented lesions, demonstrating greater than 75% clearance in 80% of subjects after an average of 2.6 treatments. The study confirmed significantly fewer treatments required compared to Q-switched laser protocols for equivalent pigmentation severity. At RE:BERRY Myeongdong, the Dual Toning protocol leverages PicoSure’s melanin specificity alongside Genesis 1064nm laser’s ability to normalize dermal vasculature, addressing both the pigment and vascular components of conditions like melasma.

Pico Laser Safety in Asian Skin Types

One of the most significant advantages of pico laser technology in Korea is its safety profile for higher Fitzpatrick skin types. Negishi et al. (2018) conducted a multicenter study across Japan and Korea evaluating PicoSure treatment in 125 Asian patients (Fitzpatrick III-V) with solar lentigines and café-au-lait macules. The post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation rate was only 3.2%, compared to 12-18% reported with Q-switched lasers in similar populations. This low PIH risk makes pico laser in Korea the preferred first-line treatment for pigmentation in Asian skin. Dr. Seung-Jae Baek at RE:BERRY Myeongdong further minimizes risk by using conservative fluence settings in initial sessions and gradually increasing parameters based on individual skin response.

Collagen Remodeling via Focus Lens Array

Beyond pigment clearance, the PicoSure Focus lens array concentrates energy into microscopic treatment zones, creating laser-induced optical breakdowns (LIOBs) in the dermis without disrupting the epidermis. Tanghetti (2016) demonstrated that these LIOBs stimulate a controlled wound-healing cascade that upregulates collagen III and elastin production, resulting in measurable improvements in skin texture, fine lines, and pore size. This dual capability — simultaneous pigment clearance and collagen remodeling — makes pico laser in Korea at RE:BERRY Myeongdong an efficient single-platform solution for comprehensive skin rejuvenation.

Brauer JA et al. Dermatol Surg. 2015;41(11):1321-1325. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000000523 | Negishi K et al. Lasers Surg Med. 2018;50(4):350-358. doi:10.1002/lsm.22770 | Tanghetti EA. Photomed Laser Surg. 2016;34(9):418-424. doi:10.1089/pho.2015.4062