Asking about different brands of lasers often gets many clinics come out and speak about their own brand defensively. I use a picosecond laser which comes with a fractional lens array (FLA) in my clinic too but I will not speak about what I use, rather, what the facts are.
The 'facts' of the debate behind picosecond lasers are:
1. Picosecond lasers use a shorter pulse duration so should be more effective and safer
2. Most of them also come with a fractional lens array (FLA) which are VERY useful for certain types of acne scars (keep in mind: only CERTAIN TYPES, and must be used carefully on certain skin types)
3. Dr Kelvin Chua is absolutely correct in saying that there is currently no strong clinical studies that show the superiority of the Picosecond lasers over the older Nanosecond ones - at least not yet.
4. There is even scantier evidence that one picosecond laser is better than the other! Much less the talk of a gold standard amongst Picosecond lasers. For example, I know an esteemed colleague who uses the Enlighten Pico (not what I use) which uses the longest picosecond pulse duration amongst the range, but still achieves fantastic results backed up by a lot of science.
5. That being said, the picosecond lasers should theoretically not do worse than the old lasers.
These are way more important factors in my humble opinion:
1. In looking for something more effective, the doctor's diagnosis and decided treatment protocol is WAY MORE IMPORTANT than the picolaser choice.
2. Proper pre-laser treatment creams, proper care during the procedure, and proper post-laser care are key to a successful treatment.
3. Why look for a picosecond laser for pigmentation to reduce heating the skin unnecessarily, when the clinic does not even use a skin cooler while performing the laser? A cryotherapy device cooling the skin during the treatment would make an OLD nanosecond laser safer than a latest picosecond laser used without skin cooling!
4. Doctor's experience with the particular machine and his protocol for doing a certain treatment makes all the difference ultimately. There are some business-owned clinics doing 30 second laser facials - how much science is behind that? - and do you think the latest picosecond lasers used for these 30 second laser facials would help more than a dedicated doctor with an old nanosecond laser?
As Dr Kelvin said, there's a lot of marketing dollar at talk nowadays. Read wisely and all the best at making the best choice for your skin!
