Picofy Laser Treatment: What to Expect

11 November 2026

What a Picofy picosecond laser treatment involves, how a visit runs, who it suits, and what it cannot do.

Picosecond lasers deliver energy in pulses measured in trillionths of a second, and the Picofy platform at our NoMad studio uses that short duration to break up pigment in the skin while minimising heat to the surrounding tissue. A treatment is booked as a single 30-minute visit, and it is followed by aftercare guidance that matters as much as the appointment itself.

What the platform is

Picofy is a picosecond laser platform for skin. Its pulses are short enough to create a photoacoustic effect, breaking pigment into microscopic particles, while minimising unnecessary heat to the surrounding tissue. The same platform is designed to support the skin's own renewal process, which is why it is used for uneven skin tone, a dull complexion, enlarged pores, fine lines and selected acne scars as well as for pigment itself.

What it is used for

The conditions it is most often chosen for are pigmentation concerns: sun spots, age spots, freckles, melasma in selected cases, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the marks left behind after skin has been irritated or inflamed. Where the pigment sits matters as much as the pigment itself. A flat brown patch and a raised lesion are different problems, and one setting does not suit both.

Fine lines and selected acne scars are treated on the same platform. Acne scarring is a texture question as much as a colour one, and how much it changes varies between people and between scar types.

How the pulse works

Three things happen when the pulse fires. The photoacoustic effect breaks pigment into microscopic particles. Less unnecessary heat reaches the surrounding skin. And the skin's own clearing process works on the fragmented pigment over the following days and weeks.

Treated pigment usually darkens before it clears, and small flecks work their way out of the skin over the days after the appointment. Both are part of the normal course of a treatment.

How a visit runs

Every appointment follows the same four steps. You begin with a consultation and a skin analysis, and the plan that comes out of it is the plan you are treated with. The skin is then gently cleansed and prepared. The treatment itself follows, performed by a practitioner at the studio. You leave with aftercare guidance so that the work which happens after you go home is not left to chance.

The sensation during treatment is usually described as short, snapping pulses of light, often compared to the flick of a rubber band, with cooling used for comfort. Numbing can be arranged for more sensitive areas. Most people return to normal activities shortly afterwards, and temporary flushing or mild swelling is common in the first hours.

Who it may suit

The short answer is anyone with a pigment concern who has been assessed for it. Sun spots, age spots, freckles, uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks are the usual reasons people book. Many skin types can be treated when appropriate settings are selected, and a consultation is what decides whether yours is one of them.

Who should not have it

The treatment is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, over active infection or inflamed skin, or on recently tanned skin, including self-tan and sunbeds. It matters that your practitioner knows about any photosensitising medication you take, including some antibiotics, some acne treatments and herbal supplements, and about any recent isotretinoin use. A history of cold sores or of a pigmentation disorder is worth mentioning before treatment is planned.

What it cannot do

A picosecond laser works on pigment in the skin. It does not change why a spot appeared, and it does not treat active inflammation or infection. It cannot be used on freshly tanned skin, during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It is usually a course rather than one appointment, and the number of sessions is decided at the consultation, because it depends on the concern, the skin type and your goals. The platform is used for benign pigmented lesions and for texture concerns; anything beyond that is a medical question first.

How to prepare

Arrive with your skin in its ordinary condition. Do not tan, use a sunbed or self-tan in the weeks before your appointment. Come with a clean face if that is easy, but leave harsh exfoliating products alone in the days beforehand. Bring a list of everything you take, including pharmacy medicines and supplements, and bring your questions with you.

Aftercare

Expect warmth and a temporary flushed look in the first hours, and treat pigment that darkens before it clears as part of the normal course. Cleanse gently, moisturise, and wear a high sunscreen every day, because sun protection is the single most important step after any light-based treatment. Leave exfoliating actives for a few days. Skip saunas and intense exercise for the first 24 hours, and let flaking skin shed on its own rather than pulling it away.

Your practitioner's instructions at the appointment come first, so follow those. If anything worries you afterwards, contact the clinic.

Questions to ask at your consultation

Which of my concerns can be treated, and which can only be monitored? What settings will you use, and why are they right for my skin? How many sessions do you expect, and how far apart? What should I do in the week before the appointment? What should I expect in the days after, and who do I contact if something looks unexpected?

Whether a Picofy treatment suits your skin, how many sessions it would take and which settings are right for you are all settled at a consultation, so book one before you schedule the treatment itself.