Pico Laser Treatments in Calgary
Advanced picosecond laser treatments designed to improve pigmentation, melasma-prone discolouration, uneven tone, enlarged pores, fine lines, acne scars, skin texture, and overall skin radiance with minimal to moderate downtime. At SkinScience, our Pico Laser program includes Pico Toning, Pico Laser Peel, Microfractional PicoToning, and IntensePICO, each customized to your skin biology, pigment pattern, collagen quality, tolerance for downtime, and long-term skin goals.
Best for: Pigmentation, sun spots, melasma-prone skin, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, uneven tone, dullness, enlarged pores, fine lines, early wrinkles, acne scars, texture irregularities, and collagen stimulation
Treatment type: In-clinic advanced laser treatment
Technology: Vydence handPICO picosecond and nanosecond Nd:YAG laser, 1064 nm and 532 nm wavelengths selected according to skin tone, pigment depth, and clinical indication
Performed by: Medical skin professionals under the direction of Marie Bertrand, Microbiologist & Joseph MacDonald, MD CFPC
Quick Overview
- What it does: Uses ultra-short laser pulses to target pigment, brighten uneven tone, refine pores, improve texture, and stimulate collagen remodeling without the downtime of more aggressive resurfacing lasers
- Ideal candidates: Patients with sun damage, pigmentation, dullness, melasma-prone skin, uneven skin tone, early aging, enlarged pores, fine lines, acne scars, or rough texture who want a customizable, science-guided laser program
- Treatment options: Pico Toning, Pico Laser Peel, Pico Laser for pigmented lesions, Microfractional PicoToning, and IntensePICO
- Typical sessions: Mild Pico Toning may require a series of 4 to 8 treatments. Microfractional PicoToning is often performed in a minimum series of 3 treatments. IntensePICO may require fewer sessions, often 1 to 3, depending on the concern and downtime tolerance
- Downtime: Pico Toning and Pico Laser Peel usually have minimal downtime. Microfractional PicoToning may cause redness, heat, mild sensitivity, and possible pinpoint purpura. IntensePICO creates a stronger response, with more visible redness, swelling, petechiae, purpura, and several days of downtime
- Safety profile: Pico laser treatments are non-ablative and can be customized for different skin types, but not every setting is appropriate for every patient. Skin tone, melasma risk, recent sun exposure, medication history, and healing patterns must be assessed before treatment
- When results appear: Brightness and glow may appear within days to weeks. Pigmentation and melasma-prone discolouration improve gradually. Collagen, pores, wrinkles, scars, and texture continue improving over several months as remodeling develops
- Starting from: Consultation required for customized pricing
What Pico Laser Treatments Treat
Many patients come to SkinScience feeling frustrated that their skin still looks uneven, dull, blotchy, textured, or tired despite consistent skincare. Topical products can improve the surface, but they cannot always reach deeper pigment patterns, dermal collagen changes, acne scar remodeling, or long-standing photoaging.
Pico Laser treatments may be recommended when:
- Pigmentation remains visible despite skincare
- Brown spots or sun spots are becoming more noticeable
- Melasma-prone discolouration needs a conservative, non-ablative approach
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation lingers after acne or irritation
- Skin looks dull, tired, uneven, or grey
- Pores appear enlarged
- Fine lines are developing
- Acne scars or texture irregularities are visible
- Skin has lost smoothness and luminosity
- You want collagen stimulation without aggressive resurfacing downtime
- You want a progressive treatment plan built around skin health
At SkinScience, Pico Laser treatments are never treated as a generic laser facial. They are selected and sequenced according to pigment behaviour, skin tone, collagen needs, inflammation risk, and your tolerance for downtime.
How Pico Laser Technology Works
Pico laser technology delivers energy in ultra-short pulses measured in picoseconds. A picosecond is one trillionth of a second.
Because the pulse is so short, the energy is delivered with a strong photoacoustic effect. Instead of relying mainly on heat, pico technology creates rapid mechanical energy that can fragment pigment and create controlled microscopic changes in the skin.
Depending on the treatment mode, pico laser can:
- Fragment excess pigment into smaller particles
- Improve the appearance of brown spots and uneven tone
- Support melasma management when used conservatively
- Create laser-induced optical breakdown within the skin
- Stimulate collagen remodeling
- Improve the appearance of pores, texture, scars, and fine lines
- Refresh dull or photoaged skin
- Create visible glow with minimal to moderate downtime
The key is not simply using a pico device. The key is choosing the right mode, wavelength, lens, intensity, treatment interval, and endpoint for the individual patient.
The SkinScience Pico Laser Program
SkinScience offers several levels of Pico Laser treatment, from gentle pigment brightening to more advanced fractional resurfacing.
Pico Toning
A gentle, non-ablative laser treatment designed to brighten the skin, soften diffuse pigmentation, support melasma-prone skin, refine pores, and improve overall tone with minimal downtime.
Pico Laser Peel
A smooth, low-downtime laser peel using 1064 nm energy to refresh the skin, improve luminosity, soften fine lines, and reduce dullness without removing the surface of the skin.
Pico Laser for Pigmented Lesions
A targeted approach for specific brown spots, sun spots, and benign pigmented lesions using selected wavelengths according to pigment colour, depth, and skin type.
Microfractional PicoToning
A fractional picosecond resurfacing treatment that creates controlled micro-injuries below the surface of the skin to stimulate tissue repair, collagen remodeling, pore refinement, wrinkle softening, and texture improvement.
IntensePICO
A stronger fractional picosecond resurfacing treatment designed for more visible texture, collagen, pore, scar, and wrinkle improvement, with more downtime and more selective patient candidacy.
Pico Toning in Calgary
Pico Toning is ideal for patients who want a brighter, clearer, more even complexion without significant downtime.
This treatment is often selected for:
- Uneven skin tone
- Diffuse pigmentation
- Dullness
- Melasma-prone skin
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Early sun damage
- Enlarged pores
- Fine lines
- Skin that looks tired or lacklustre
Pico Toning uses low-energy, non-ablative laser pulses to gently target pigment and refresh the skin. It is not designed to wound or peel the skin aggressively. Instead, it works progressively, making it especially useful for patients who prefer subtle improvement over time.
Pico Toning is often a good option for patients who cannot afford significant downtime, who are concerned about pigment rebound, or who want a maintenance-based approach to skin brightness and clarity.
Pico Laser Peel
Pico Laser Peel is a smooth, low-downtime resurfacing option designed to improve skin luminosity, tone, pores, and early texture changes.
Unlike an ablative resurfacing laser, Pico Laser Peel does not remove the outer layer of skin. It uses controlled laser energy to refresh the skin from within, making it a good option for patients who want visible glow without the recovery time associated with more aggressive resurfacing.
Pico Laser Peel may be recommended for:
- Dull skin
- Uneven tone
- Early pigmentation
- Mild melasma-prone discolouration
- Fine lines
- Enlarged pores
- Rough texture
- Skin that needs a luminous reset before an event
Most patients describe the treatment as quick and tolerable. The skin may appear pink or slightly flushed after treatment, but downtime is usually minimal compared with more aggressive laser resurfacing.
Pico Laser for Pigmentation
Pigmentation is not one condition. Brown spots, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, freckles, sun damage, and deeper dermal pigment all behave differently. That is why SkinScience does not treat pigment with a one-size-fits-all setting.
Pico Laser may be used for:
- Sun spots
- Brown spots
- Freckles
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Uneven pigmentation
- Melasma-prone discolouration
- Selected benign pigmented lesions
- Pigmentation on the face, neck, chest, or hands, when appropriate
The 1064 nm wavelength is often selected for deeper or darker pigment patterns and for safer treatment across a broader range of skin tones. The 532 nm wavelength may be used for lighter or more superficial pigmentation, but it requires more caution and is not appropriate for every skin type.
Pigment treatment requires careful assessment because not all brown marks should be lasered. Some lesions require medical evaluation before aesthetic treatment. Melasma also requires special caution because it can worsen with heat, inflammation, ultraviolet exposure, visible light, hormonal triggers, and overly aggressive treatment. At SkinScience, pigment is approached with respect, not aggression.
Microfractional PicoToning
Microfractional PicoToning is a more advanced form of picosecond resurfacing that uses a specialized fractional lens to create tiny zones of controlled energy beneath the surface of the skin.
These microscopic zones can stimulate a regenerative response in the skin, supporting:
- Collagen remodeling
- Pore refinement
- Texture improvement
- Fine line softening
- Wrinkle reduction
- Acne scar improvement
- Brighter tone
- Overall skin quality
This treatment is especially useful for patients who want more than brightening, but do not want the downtime of fully ablative resurfacing.
Microfractional PicoToning may be recommended when:
- Skin texture looks uneven
- Pores are enlarged
- Fine lines are visible
- Acne scars are mild to moderate
- Skin looks thin, dull, or crepey
- Pigmentation and texture coexist
- The goal is progressive collagen stimulation
Downtime is usually mild to moderate. Redness, heat, sensitivity, itching, and possible pinpoint purpura may occur. Most patients can return to normal routines quickly, but social downtime depends on treatment intensity and individual response.
IntensePICO in Calgary
IntensePICO is SkinScience’s more intensive picosecond resurfacing option for patients who want a stronger collagen and texture response and are comfortable with more visible downtime.
This treatment is designed for more expressive improvement in:
- Acne scars
- Texture irregularities
- Enlarged pores
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Photoaging
- Dull, damaged skin
- Collagen loss
- Uneven tone combined with texture concerns
IntensePICO uses higher-energy fractional picosecond settings than Microfractional PicoToning. This creates a stronger biological response, which may produce more visible results in fewer sessions for selected patients.
However, stronger is not always better. IntensePICO is not appropriate for everyone. It is generally not the preferred option for patients with melasma, higher Fitzpatrick skin types, recent tanning, uncontrolled inflammation, or a high risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. At SkinScience, IntensePICO is recommended only when the expected benefit justifies the downtime and pigment risk.
Pico Toning vs Pico Laser Peel vs IntensePICO
Pico Toning
- Best for: Pigment, glow, melasma-prone skin, tone, early dullness, maintenance
- Downtime: Minimal
- Treatment style: Gentle and progressive
- Typical plan: Multiple sessions
- Best patient: Someone who wants subtle brightening without visible recovery
Pico Laser Peel
- Best for: Dullness, mild pigment, early texture, pores, glow
- Downtime: Minimal to mild
- Treatment style: Smooth, non-ablative refresh
- Typical plan: Series-based or event-prep treatment
- Best patient: Someone who wants radiance and refinement without aggressive resurfacing
Microfractional PicoToning
- Best for: Pores, fine lines, texture, acne scars, collagen stimulation, uneven tone
- Downtime: Mild to moderate
- Treatment style: Fractional collagen remodeling
- Typical plan: Often a series of at least 3 treatments
- Best patient: Someone who wants deeper skin quality improvement with manageable downtime
IntensePICO
- Best for: More visible texture, acne scars, wrinkles, pores, collagen loss, photoaging
- Downtime: Moderate
- Treatment style: Stronger fractional resurfacing
- Typical plan: Often 1 to 3 treatments depending on goals
- Best patient: Someone who wants more intensive results and is willing to accept more visible recovery
Pico Laser vs IPL
IPL is excellent for redness, sun damage, and certain types of superficial pigment, but it uses broad-spectrum light rather than a single laser wavelength. Pico Laser uses focused laser energy in ultra-short pulses, making it especially useful for selected pigment concerns, tattoo pigment, and collagen-stimulating fractional treatments.
Pico Laser may be preferred when:
- Pigment is stubborn
- Melasma-prone skin needs a conservative approach
- There is a higher risk of heat-triggered pigmentation
- The goal includes pores, texture, collagen, or acne scars
- A non-ablative treatment is preferred
IPL may be preferred when:
- Redness and vascular concerns are dominant
- Diffuse sun damage is superficial
- Brown and red discolouration coexist
- The patient is an ideal candidate for light-based treatment
At SkinScience, we often choose between Pico, IPL, Laser Genesis, Excel V+, erbium, and microneedling based on the biology of the concern, not the popularity of the device.
Pico Laser vs Microneedling
Microneedling creates controlled micro-channels in the skin to stimulate collagen through mechanical wound healing. Pico Laser uses ultra-short laser pulses to target pigment and stimulate collagen through photoacoustic and fractional laser effects.
Pico Laser may be preferred for:
- Pigmentation
- Melasma-prone tone unevenness
- Brown spots
- Pore refinement
- Fine lines
- Texture plus pigment
- Patients who want a laser-based glow
Microneedling may be preferred for:
- Acne scars
- Texture
- Collagen stimulation
- Patients who are not ideal laser candidates
- Patients with darker skin tones where heat or light risk must be minimized
Pico Laser vs Erbium Resurfacing
Erbium resurfacing is more aggressive and works by removing controlled layers of the skin. It can be very effective for deeper wrinkles, more advanced sun damage, and stronger resurfacing goals, but it requires more downtime.
Pico Laser is non-ablative. It does not remove the surface of the skin. It is better suited for patients who want progressive improvement, pigment correction, glow, collagen stimulation, and texture refinement with less recovery.
Pico Laser may be preferred when:
- Downtime must be limited
- Pigment risk is a concern
- Skin is not ready for resurfacing
- The goal is glow, pigment, pores, or early collagen support
Erbium may be preferred when:
- Skin damage is deeper
- Wrinkles are more advanced
- Texture requires stronger resurfacing
- The patient is ready for a more intensive recovery
Results, Timeline & Expectations
Pico Laser results are progressive. Some changes appear quickly, while others develop through collagen remodeling over several months.
- Short term: days 1 to 7
The skin may look brighter, smoother, or more radiant. Mild redness, heat, dryness, or sensitivity may occur depending on the treatment mode.
- Pigment improvement: 2 to 8 weeks
Brown spots may darken temporarily before fading. Diffuse pigmentation and melasma-prone discolouration usually improve gradually over a series of treatments.
Collagen remodeling: 1 to 6 months
Pores, fine lines, wrinkles, scars, and texture improve more slowly because collagen remodeling is biological. The most meaningful changes often appear after a series of treatments and continue to evolve.- Maintenance
Maintenance may be recommended depending on your pigmentation pattern, sun exposure, melasma tendency, age, lifestyle, and long-term skin goals.
Pico Laser treatments do not:
- Erase deep wrinkles in one session
- Replace surgery or deep resurfacing
- Permanently cure melasma
- Prevent future pigmentation without sun protection
- Produce identical results in every patient
- Remove all pigmentation safely in all skin types
The strength of Pico Laser is intelligent customization.
Safety and Suitability
Pico Laser treatments are generally well tolerated when performed by qualified professionals using appropriate settings, but they are still medical aesthetic laser procedures and require careful assessment.
You may not be a candidate if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have active infection in the treatment area
- Have open wounds or compromised skin barrier
- Have recently tanned skin
- Have uncontrolled melasma or active pigment instability
- Have a history of keloid scarring
- Have poor wound healing
- Are using photosensitizing medications
- Have certain medical conditions affecting healing
- Have unrealistic expectations
- Have suspicious pigmented lesions requiring medical evaluation
Common temporary effects may include:
- Redness
- Warmth
- Mild swelling
- Dryness
- Itching
- Temporary darkening of pigment
- Pinpoint bleeding or petechiae with stronger settings
- Purpura or bruising with IntensePICO
- Temporary hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation
Less common risks include:
- Pigment rebound
- Prolonged redness
- Blistering
- Scabbing
- Burns
- Textural change
- Scarring
- Worsening of melasma if improperly selected or treated
At SkinScience, we reduce risk through consultation, VISIA imaging when appropriate, skin typing, conservative starting parameters, test spots when indicated, and personalized post-treatment care.
Our Clinical Approach
At SkinScience, Pico Laser is not sold as a trend. It is integrated into a broader skin longevity philosophy, under the direction of Marie Bertrand, Microbiologist with research experience at the National Institutes of Health, and Joseph MacDonald, MD CFPC.
Your treatment begins with a comprehensive consultation to assess:
- Skin tone
- Pigment type
- Melasma tendency
- Sun exposure history
- Recent tanning
- Medication history
- Inflammation risk
- Skin barrier strength
- Collagen quality
- Acne scar pattern
- Tolerance for downtime
- Long-term skin goals
We then choose the safest and most strategic option for your skin. That may be Pico Toning. It may be Pico Laser Peel. It may be Microfractional PicoToning. It may be IntensePICO. Or it may be a completely different treatment if your skin is not an ideal candidate.
Our philosophy is simple: the best laser is not the strongest laser. The best laser is the one your skin can respond to safely, beautifully, and predictably.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pico Laser?
Pico Laser is an advanced laser technology that delivers energy in ultra-short picosecond pulses. It can target pigment, improve uneven tone, stimulate collagen remodeling, refine pores, soften fine lines, and improve skin texture depending on the treatment mode used.
What is Pico Toning?
Pico Toning is a gentle, non-ablative laser treatment used to improve dullness, uneven tone, diffuse pigmentation, melasma-prone discolouration, enlarged pores, and early signs of aging with little to no downtime.
What is IntensePICO?
IntensePICO is a stronger fractional picosecond resurfacing treatment designed to create a more visible collagen and texture response. It may help with acne scars, pores, fine lines, wrinkles, and photoaging, but it involves more downtime and is not suitable for every skin type.
Is Pico Laser good for pigmentation?
Yes, Pico Laser can be helpful for selected pigmentation concerns, including sun spots, brown spots, uneven tone, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Pigment type and skin tone must be assessed carefully before treatment.
Is Pico Laser safe for melasma?
Pico Laser may be used as part of a conservative melasma management plan, but melasma is complex and easily triggered. It requires careful settings, strict sun protection, pigment-stabilizing skincare, and realistic expectations. IntensePICO is generally not recommended for melasma-prone patients.
Does Pico Laser stimulate collagen?
Yes. Fractional picosecond treatments can create controlled microscopic effects in the skin that stimulate tissue repair and collagen remodeling. This is why Pico Laser may improve pores, fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and texture over time.
How many Pico Laser sessions do I need?
It depends on your concern. Pigment and Pico Toning usually require a series. Microfractional PicoToning is often performed in a series of at least 3 treatments. IntensePICO may require fewer sessions, often 1 to 3, but with more downtime.
Is there downtime after Pico Laser?
Downtime depends on the treatment. Pico Toning and Pico Laser Peel usually have minimal downtime. Microfractional PicoToning may cause redness, heat, sensitivity, and mild pinpoint purpura. IntensePICO can cause more visible redness, swelling, petechiae, purpura, and several days of social downtime.
Can Pico Laser treat acne scars?
Fractional Pico Laser may improve mild to moderate acne scars by stimulating collagen remodeling. Deeper scars may require combination treatment with microneedling, RF microneedling, erbium resurfacing, subcision, or other advanced protocols.
Can Pico Laser shrink pores?
Pico Laser can improve the appearance of enlarged pores by supporting collagen remodeling and improving skin texture. Results are progressive and usually require a series.
Is Pico Laser painful?
Most Pico Laser treatments are well tolerated. Patients may feel warmth, snapping, prickling, or heat depending on the setting. Comfort measures may be used when appropriate.
What is the difference between Pico Laser and laser toning?
Laser toning usually refers to low-fluence, non-ablative laser passes used to improve pigment, tone, pores, and brightness. Pico Laser is the broader technology category and can include toning, pigment treatment, laser peel, fractional resurfacing, and more intensive collagen stimulation.
Is Pico Laser safe for darker skin tones?
Some Pico Laser treatments can be appropriate for darker skin tones, especially conservative 1064 nm approaches. However, skin type, pigment type, recent sun exposure, and melasma risk must be assessed. Stronger settings and certain wavelengths may not be suitable for higher phototypes.
Can Pico Laser replace my skincare?
No. Pico Laser works best when paired with the right skincare, sun protection, pigment control, barrier support, and maintenance plan. Skincare protects the investment you make in laser treatments.
How much does Pico Laser cost in Calgary?
Pico Laser pricing in Calgary depends on the treatment selected (Pico Toning, Pico Laser Peel, Microfractional PicoToning, or IntensePICO), the area treated, and the number of sessions in your plan. SkinScience provides customized pricing after a consultation and VISIA skin analysis, so you know your full plan cost before starting.
Is Pico Laser Right for You?
Pico Laser may be right for you if you want a customized treatment plan for pigmentation, pores, texture, collagen stimulation, dullness, fine lines, acne scars, or uneven tone without jumping immediately to aggressive resurfacing.
It may be especially appropriate if:
- You want brighter, more even skin
- You have pigmentation that has not fully improved with skincare
- You want to support collagen without major downtime
- You have enlarged pores or early texture changes
- You have mild acne scarring
- You want a non-ablative treatment option
- You want a plan built around your skin biology
- You want realistic expectations and expert guidance
During your consultation, we will:
- Analyze your skin and pigment pattern
- Review your medical and sun exposure history
- Assess melasma risk and skin type
- Determine whether Pico Toning, Pico Laser Peel, Microfractional PicoToning, or IntensePICO is most appropriate
- Recommend a customized treatment plan
- Discuss downtime and realistic timelines
- Build a skincare and post-treatment plan to protect your results
Ready to Schedule Your Consultation?
Your skin does not need the strongest treatment. It needs the right treatment, chosen with science, restraint, and respect for your biology.
Or send us an email at info@skinscience.md
