Acne Marks · Fractional Pico · Pacific Plaza
Pico laser for acne scars does two separate jobs at Atelier: low-energy toning for flat brown marks once acne is under control, and fractional delivery for shallow texture. Dr Sin Yong sorts every mark and scar by type first, because pico laser cannot lift a tethered scar, reach an ice-pick tract or fade a red mark.
Toning sends low-energy picosecond pulses across a brown mark. They fragment the melanin left behind by inflammation, and the skin clears the fragments over the following weeks.
Fractional delivery focuses the beam into a grid of tiny injury zones beneath a largely intact surface. The skin repairs each zone with new collagen, which softens shallow irregularity. Because little heat spreads, recovery is lighter than with ablative lasers and skin of Fitzpatrick III to V carries a lower, though not zero, pigment risk.
At A Glance
Who It Suits
Dr SY stretches the skin and looks at it under angled light. Colour that vanishes on stretching is a mark; a dent that stays is a scar; a dent that dimples and deepens under the stretch is held down from beneath. Red or pink marks are dilated vessels, and a picosecond pulse does not target haemoglobin; see red and brown acne marks and vascular laser. Scar shapes are explained on acne scar types.
| Acne leftover | Pico laser can | Pico laser cannot (what does) |
|---|---|---|
| Brown mark | Break up pigment once acne is controlled | Fade a mark that new spots keep renewing |
| Red or pink mark | Nothing useful | Reach the vessels (vascular laser) |
| Shallow rolling scars, rough surface | Prompt collagen through fractional zones | Release a tethered scar |
| Early boxcar edge | Soften the shallow rim | Rebuild a deep wall (fractional CO2 assessed) |
| Ice-pick tract | Nothing at the base | Reach the floor (TCA CROSS first) |
| Tethered rolling scar | Smooth the surface step after release | Cut the fibrous band (subcision) |
The Decision
The usual order at Atelier is: settle active acne (acne treatment), release tethered scars with subcision, treat ice-pick tracts with TCA CROSS, resurface deeper edges with fractional CO2 (DEKA Tetra Pro) or RF microneedling, then use pico for the remaining colour and fine texture. Many faces need only some steps.
Fractional pico and CO2 are not ranked; they do different jobs. Which Atelier laser suits which scar is set out in acne scar laser treatment.
Dr Sin Yong holds a Key Opinion Leader appointment with DEKA.
On The Day
Afterwards
Expect pinpoint redness, mild swelling and a sandpapery feel, then fine flaking. Day-by-day timings are on pico laser downtime and home care on pico laser aftercare. Daily sun protection runs through the whole plan; a topical retinoid or other prescription cream may be discussed, and whether it suits you is decided at a consultation.
Risks
Fractional work can bring post-inflammatory darkening, pinpoint bleeding, redness that lingers, an acne flare or a cold sore around the mouth. Toning repeated too often can leave pale, mottled spots. Darker skin, sun on healing skin and picking at flakes all raise the chance of brown marks.
Contact the clinic the same day for pain or swelling that is increasing, pus, or skin that turns dusky.
Atelier Aesthetics · Owned by AYA
9 Scotts Road, Pacific Plaza #12-01A, Singapore 228210 · +65 8023 7170
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