Pico laser in Korea is a picosecond laser treatment that shatters pigment and tattoo ink into tiny particles the body then clears, and it is also used with a lens array to refine texture. A session takes roughly 10 to 20 minutes of laser time after 20 to 30 minutes of numbing cream. Toning leaves pinkness for a few hours, while spot work forms fine crusts for about a week, and flying home the same day is generally possible. Change appears over weeks and builds across a course. Clinics price it per session, per course or per area. Further down, the clinic list and price table let you compare options in one place.
Is it for you?
Who Pico laser in Gangnam suits, and who should wait
The treatment fits people with sun spots, freckles, uneven or dull tone, unwanted tattoos, and mild texture problems such as enlarged pores or shallow acne scars. It suits visitors who want short downtime, because the skin surface is not removed and recovery is measured in hours or days rather than weeks.
It is a poor match for deep wrinkles, sagging, active acne or deep scars, which respond to lifting, medical acne care or resurfacing instead. Melasma can improve but tends to return, so it needs a long-term plan rather than a single trip. Some brown marks are not laser-treatable pigment at all and should be examined before anything is fired at them.
Usually a good fit
- Freckles and sun spots on face or hands
- Dull or uneven tone wanting gradual brightening
- Black or blue tattoos to fade
- Mild pores and shallow scars, lens array setting
May be better to wait
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active infection, cold sore or rash on the area
- Fresh tan or recent isotretinoin use
- Unclear lesions, deep scars or sagging needing other care
Clinics in Gangnam
10 clinics for Pico laser in Gangnam
Every clinic below lists Pico laser among its treatments. Message a clinic directly.
1
2RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam
3Leaders Dermatology Clinic Samseong Central
4Medicube Clinic
5Sia Clinic Gangnam
6Seye Clinic
7Muse Clinic Gangnam
8
9
10Nine Dermatology Gangnam
How it works
How a Pico laser session runs
The device emits light in pulses measured in picoseconds, trillionths of a second. Energy delivered that quickly creates a photomechanical effect: pigment granules and ink particles fracture from pressure rather than slowly cooking, so less heat reaches nearby tissue. That is the main difference from Q-switched lasers, which fire in nanoseconds.
The wavelength is chosen by target. PicoSure by Cynosure uses 755 nm, strongly absorbed by melanin and dark ink, and can be fitted with the FOCUS lens array, which concentrates the beam into micro points and creates laser-induced optical breakdown just below the surface for scars and texture. Other platforms use 1064 nm for deeper or diffuse pigment and darker skin, and 532 nm for superficial spots and warm ink colors. In Korea the dose is set by fluence, spot size and number of passes, and those settings shape whether a clinic sells the service as toning, spot removal or fractional work.
A 2020 systematic review by Wu and colleagues in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine evaluated 77 studies and rated the evidence as level I for tattoo removal, level II for melasma and rejuvenation, and level I to IV for benign pigmented lesions. A 2023 network meta-analysis by Ren and colleagues in Dermatologic Surgery, covering 20 studies and 1,182 patients, found that 1064 nm picosecond laser combined with tranexamic acid had the highest effective rate among the melasma approaches compared.
Assessment
The marks are usually examined, often under magnification, to confirm what they are before choosing a wavelength and setting. This takes 10 to 15 minutes and is the point to raise skin type, tanning and medications.
Cleansing and numbing
Makeup is removed and numbing cream is applied for 20 to 30 minutes. Toning at low energy sometimes skips this step.
Laser passes
With eye protection in place, the handpiece passes over the face or the target lesions. Most people describe a snapping or prickling feeling. Full-face work usually takes 10 to 20 minutes.
Cooling and protection
A cold pack or soothing mask calms the heat for about 10 minutes, followed by moisturizer and sunscreen before you leave.
Pico laser compared with other options
| Feature | Picosecond laser | Q-switched nanosecond laser | Fractional CO2 laser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pulse length | Picoseconds | Nanoseconds | Microseconds to milliseconds |
| Main action | Pressure wave fragments pigment | Heat and pressure on pigment | Vaporizes columns of tissue |
| Main uses | Pigment, tattoos, texture with lens array | Pigment, tattoos | Scars, wrinkles, resurfacing |
| Skin surface | Left intact | Left intact | Micro wounds that crust |
| Usual downtime | Hours to about a week | Hours to about a week | About one week or more |
At a glance
Pico laser facts
| Device examples | PicoSure (Cynosure), other picosecond platforms |
|---|---|
| Energy type | Picosecond laser |
| Wavelengths | 755 nm, 1064 nm, 532 nm by device |
| Dose settings | Fluence, spot size and passes |
| Numbing | Topical cream, 20 to 30 minutes |
| Laser time | About 10 to 20 minutes |
| Downtime | Hours for toning, up to a week for spots or lens array |
| Usual sessions | Several, weeks apart; tattoos need the most |
| Flying home | Generally possible the same day |
Prices
Pico laser cost in Gangnam
Prices below come from the listed clinics' own price lists, before VAT. 10% VAT is added at payment.
Pico laser · 1 sessions
Range across 2 listed clinics · approx. $28–$255₩39,000–₩350,000 + VATCompare clinicsPico laser · 3 cc
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $545₩750,000 + VATCompare clinicsLaser Toning
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $73₩100,000 + VATCompare clinicsOxygen toning
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $182₩250,000 + VATCompare clinicsPigment Laser (Toning + Custom Laser)
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $218₩300,000 + VATCompare clinicsOxygen toning + premium care
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $255₩350,000 + VATCompare clinicsClarity toning for melasma & pigmentation
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $291₩400,000 + VATCompare clinicsPico toning — full body
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $800₩1,100,000 + VATCompare clinicsRecovery
What the days after look like
Pinkness, warmth and mild swelling; treated spots turn darker
Redness fades; fine crusts or tiny grid dots form after spot or lens array work
Crusts lift on their own; skin underneath looks lighter and slightly pink
Tone evens out gradually; watch for temporary darkening and keep using sunscreen
Results are judged a few weeks after the final session
Safety
Pico laser risks and limits
- Redness, swelling and stinging for hours to a day
- Crusting and pinpoint bleeding after higher-energy spot or tattoo work
- Temporary darkening after irritation, more common in skin that tans easily
- Rare blistering, lighter patches or texture change
- Allergic reaction to released tattoo ink, rarely
- Pigment such as melasma can return; not a fix for sagging or deep wrinkles
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Efficacy and Safety of Picosecond Laser in the Treatment of Melasma: A Network Meta-analysisDermatologic Surgery · 2023 · Ren R, Bao S, Qian W, Zhao H · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000003775
Across 20 studies, 1064 nm picosecond laser combined with tranexamic acid showed the highest effective rate for melasma, while intense pulsed light had the highest rate of adverse reactions.
- Outcomes of 1064‐nm picosecond laser alone and in combination with fractional 1064‐nm picosecond laser in tattoo removalJournal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2022 · Sirithanabadeekul P, Vongchansathapat P, Sutthipisal N, Thanasarnaksorn W, Suwanchinda A · doi:10.1111/jocd.15031
In 19 black tattoos, adding a fractional 1064 nm picosecond pass gave more tattoos above 50% clearance and fewer adverse events than the standard beam alone.
- A Systematic Review of Picosecond Laser in Dermatology: Evidence and RecommendationsLasers in Surgery and Medicine · 2020 · Wu D, Goldman M, Wat H, Chan H · doi:10.1002/lsm.23244
Reviewed 77 studies and graded picosecond laser evidence by indication, strongest for tattoo removal and benign pigmented lesions.
FAQ
Questions about Pico laser in Gangnam
Does pico laser treatment in Korea hurt?
Most people feel a quick snapping or prickling, often compared with a rubber band flick, rather than lasting pain. Numbing cream applied for 20 to 30 minutes takes the edge off for spot and tattoo work, while low-energy toning is often tolerated without it. Tattoo sessions are the most uncomfortable. Tell the doctor if a pass feels too strong so settings can be reviewed.
How is a korea pico laser session different from IPL?
A picosecond laser delivers one wavelength in ultrashort pulses, while IPL uses a broad band of flashing light with longer pulses. The laser targets pigment more precisely and can treat tattoo ink, which IPL cannot. IPL also treats redness and small vessels. In the 2023 network meta-analysis by Ren and colleagues, IPL carried the highest adverse reaction rate among melasma approaches.
How many sessions of pico laser in Seoul will I need?
It depends on the target: isolated sun spots may need one to three sessions, toning courses commonly run five or more, and tattoos need the most. Sessions for pigment are often two to four weeks apart, while tattoos are spaced further. In the 2022 study by Sirithanabadeekul and colleagues, tattoos received three sessions four weeks apart. Ask for a written session plan at the first visit.
What is the FOCUS lens and when is it used?
The FOCUS lens is an attachment for the 755 nm PicoSure that splits the beam into many micro points. Each point creates a tiny zone of change beneath the surface, which prompts repair without removing skin. It is used for acne scars, enlarged pores and fine texture. Expect redness and faint dots for a few days afterward, and several sessions spaced weeks apart.
Can I go out in the sun after a session?
You can go outside, but protect the treated skin carefully for at least two weeks. Fresh laser-treated skin darkens more easily, and sun is the main trigger for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen, reapply every few hours, and wear a hat during sightseeing. Beach days and long outdoor hikes are better scheduled before treatment rather than after, when the skin can cope with sun.
Is a picosecond laser stronger than a Q-switched laser?
Not stronger, but faster: picosecond pulses are about a thousand times shorter than nanosecond Q-switched pulses. That speed breaks particles more by pressure than by heat, which can mean fewer sessions for some tattoos and less heat around the target. Q-switched lasers remain a well-established option for many pigment problems. The doctor chooses based on the lesion, not the label.
Are quotes for picosecond sessions given before or after VAT?
Clinics in Korea usually quote picosecond sessions before VAT, and 10% VAT is added when you pay. A quote may cover a single session, a set course, or a defined area such as both cheeks. Check whether numbing cream, a soothing mask and a follow-up check are included. The price table on this page lists the amounts clinics currently publish.
Can pico laser treatment be combined with other procedures on the same trip?
Often yes, but timing matters. Toxin injections and skin boosters are commonly done on the same day or a few days apart, while combining strong resurfacing or other lasers on one area is usually avoided. Combining increases total redness and the chance of irritation. Tell the doctor everything you plan to have so the order and gaps can be set safely.
Who should not have this laser?
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active infection or cold sore on the area, or used isotretinoin recently are usually advised to wait. A fresh tan, photosensitizing medication, or a history of keloids also calls for caution. A changing or irregular mole is not a laser target; it calls for a medical examination rather than cosmetic treatment of any kind.