Picosecond lasers utilize short intense pulses of energy, that last only picoseconds (1 trillionth of a second). They have become the go-to treatment for tattoo removal amongst dermatologists and aesthetic providers. However, one needs to understand that this advanced technology is not an inexpensive proposition for the doctor or clinic.
“What is great about the picosecond lasers, is that the number of treatments needed to clear tattoos has substantially decreased.” said Michael H. Gold, MD — founder and medical director of the Gold Skin Care Center in Nashville, TN. “Due to maintenance cost, we need to go beyond the tattoo market. They can be utilized to treat pigment issues, such as melasma, freckles, brown age spots, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation to incorporate them into our practices with the picosecond lasers. As we do more and more pigment treatment with picosecond lasers, we are seeing an even better response with these lesions than ever before.”
Dr. Gold and his staff of The Laser & Rejuvenation Center in Nashville are pleased to introduce the PicoCare laser by WONTECH — the first FDA-approved picosecond laser to be produced in South Korea and now available in the U.S. Dr. Gold has been chosen by WONTECH as the first dermatologist in the U.S. to use the PicoCare in his clinic and in clinical trials that we expect to start soon. He is hoping that it will be as effective as picosecond lasers currently on the market and that the lower manufacturing costs associated with PicoCare will be passed on to cosmetic dermatologists. This would make it easier to add the new device to expanding practices.
“We look forward to seeing how well the PicoCare will do in clinical practice. We know it will effectively remove tattoos and we think it will have a very positive response on pigment. As well, there is a new Hexa scanner which allows for fractional picosecond treatments for rejuvenation and for the treatment of acne scars, which is very exciting,” Dr. Gold noted.
More Colors, Less Time
The PicoCare is a Nd: YAG picosecond laser that has four treatment wavelengths: 1064nm, 532 nm, 595 nm, and 660 nm. Its energy is selectively focused on pigments, minimizing the chances for skin trauma and pain. As well, the Hexa scanner allows effective fractional treatments.
“This PicoCare laser has more wavelengths than the picosecond lasers that are currently available in the U.S. The hope is that the increased number of wavelengths will allow us to remove more resistant pigments in less time,” said Dr. Gold.
The demand for the PicoCare should be high, when 19% of people who have had tattoos say they’d like to remove them. Especially with the more elaborately colored tattoos becoming the norm. It may also prove effective in fading or removing tattooed cosmetics that are not always well handled by other lasers, such as permanent eyebrows. With the increased number of photodamaged pigment lesions out there, the need for effective pigment treatment is at an all-time high.
Better Skin at the Speed of Picoseconds
Despite what promises to be superior tattoo-removal capabilities Dr. Gold suspects that the PicoCare will have the same expanded treatment capabilities as other picosecond lasers, such as Syneron’s PicoWay, Cynosure’s Picosure, Alma’s PicoClear, Cutera’s PicoGenesis, and Lutronics’ Pico+4.
“PicoCare has been used in South Korea to treat flushing, improve skin tone, and aid in skin rejuvenation,” he said. “I’ll certainly be examining those capabilities in my clinical studies here.”
Dr. Gold has become well-known for using fractionated picosecond lasers to resolve pigment issues of the skin, such as age spots, melasma, and the diffuse redness that may accompany rosacea. The Gold Skin Care Center’s Laser & Rejuvenation Center has served as a training center for dermatologists and laser specialists for more than 25 years. His expertise in the field and more than 25 years as a clinical researcher is why WONTECH selected him for their clinical trials in the U.S.
“The advantage of the fractionated picosecond lasers over traditional lasers, such as the nanosecond Q-switched, is that the results can be seen in days, not weeks or months,” said Dr. Gold. “I can give patients results in one or two visits using fractionated picosecond lasers. It’s fun, exciting, and makes the patients happy. They really like the speed of the results.”
Learn more about PicoCare at WTLaser.com.
A Brighter, Clearer Future Starts in Tennessee
Dr. Gold will conduct trials of PicoCare at the Tennessee Clinical Research Center, the research are of his practice, which he founded in 2002.
“I’m very hopeful for the results of PicoCare on tattoos and pigment issues in the skin,” he said. “If PicoCare lives up to its promise, this is a device that dermatologists could add to their practices without thinking too much about the cost.”
If you live in the Nashville area and are interested in participating in Dr. Gold’s clinical trials or would like a consultation for the treatment of tattoos, pigmentation issues, skin rejuvenation, or other skin concerns, contact Gold Skin Care Center today at 615-383-2400.
