In this era of pursuing flawless skin, melasma has become a major concern for many beauty enthusiasts. Whenever you look in the mirror, those stubborn spots seem to be provoking you: “Come on, you have the ability to drive me away!” Therefore, household picosecond devices have emerged, claiming to be able to easily “kill” melasma at home. Does it sound a bit like the black technology in science fiction movies? But the question is, are these devices really safe? Could you accidentally turn a spot into a black hole? Today, we will unveil the mysterious veil of household picosecond devices and see if they are the “nemesis” of melasma or the “invisible killer” of skin health.
How is melasma formed?
Melasma is a common skin pigmentation problem, mainly manifested as symmetrical brown or gray brown patches on the face, which is more common in women. Its formation mechanism is complex and usually related to various internal and external factors, mainly including the following aspects:
1. Enhanced activity of melanocytes
The formation of melasma is related to the overactivity of melanocytes in the skin. These cells produce excessive melanin, which deposits on the epidermis or dermis, leading to pigmentation of the skin.
2. Hormone level changes
Hormones are one of the main causes of melasma. Pregnancy, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, etc. can all lead to an increase in estrogen and progesterone levels in the body, stimulating melanocytes to produce more melanin. Therefore, melasma is particularly common in pregnant women and is also known as “pregnancy spots”.
3. Ultraviolet irradiation
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is an important cause of melasma. The ultraviolet rays in sunlight can stimulate melanocytes to produce more melanin, leading to increased pigmentation. This is also why melasma is more likely to worsen in summer or areas with strong sunlight.
4. Genetic factors
Melasma has a certain genetic predisposition. If there is a history of melasma in the family, the probability of individuals developing melasma will significantly increase.
5. Damaged skin barrier function
Excessive cleaning, improper use of cosmetics or skincare products, frequent exfoliation, and other behaviors may damage the skin barrier, making the skin more sensitive to external stimuli, thereby inducing or exacerbating melasma.
6. Other factors
Certain medications (such as antiepileptic drugs), chronic inflammation, thyroid disease, etc. may also be associated with the formation of melasma.
What is picosecond?
Picosecond laser refers to a laser with an output pulse width at the picosecond level, mainly including 3 working wavelengths: 755nm, 532nm and 1064nm. Due to its extremely short pulse width, picosecond laser can achieve extremely high peak power in an instant, thereby producing photoacoustic effect (or photomechanical effect) on the target chromophore, crushing the tattoo dye particles or melanin particles into smaller particles, making them easier to be cleared by melanocytes such as macrophages, and the inflammatory reaction is lighter. Therefore, picosecond laser is more effective than Q-switched laser in the treatment of tattoos and most pigmented diseases, and has fewer adverse reactions.
The Working Nature of Picosecond Laser
By utilizing the explosive effect and selective absorption principle of laser, high-energy laser pulses are applied to pigment tissues (melanin, tattoo pigments, permanent tattoo agents, dust particles) and absorbed by them. The pigment tissues are rapidly expanded after laser shock and heating. Due to the laser pulse being much lower than the thermal relaxation time of melanin structure and tattoos in the body, the pigment tissues absorb laser energy and generate mechanical oscillation waves to crush them.
How picosecond laser affects melasma?
Picosecond laser transfers high energy to melanin particles in the skin in a very short period of time through optomechanical effects rather than traditional photothermal effects, instantly shattering them into smaller particles. The crushed pigment particles will be metabolized and excreted from the body through the lymphatic system and macrophages, thereby achieving the fading of melasma.
Is at-home picosecond laser safe?
The safety of household picosecond devices is an issue that needs to be approached with caution. Although these devices are typically designed for low-energy operation and suitable for non professionals to use at home, their safety and effectiveness are still subject to some controversy. Here are several key points regarding the safety of household picosecond devices:
1. Low energy, relatively low risk
The energy of household picosecond devices is usually much lower than that of professional medical equipment, so the risk of skin damage is relatively small. They are mainly used to lighten superficial pigmentation and improve skin quality, rather than treating deep or stubborn melasma.
2. Easy to operate, but still requires standardized use
Household devices are usually equipped with detailed instructions and protective measures, and the operation is relatively simple. However, improper use (such as excessive frequency, incorrect energy settings, or inadequate sun protection) may still lead to skin redness, burns, or increased pigmentation.
3. Suitable for mild pigmentation, limited effectiveness
Household picosecond devices may have a certain improvement effect on mild pigmentation, but their effectiveness is far inferior to professional medical devices for stubborn melasma or deep pigmentation problems. Overreliance on household devices may delay the timing of treatment.
4. Individual differences affect safety
Different skin types have different reactions to lasers. People with sensitive skin, dark skin, or those taking photosensitive drugs may be more prone to adverse reactions when using household picosecond devices.
5. Postoperative care is crucial
Even when using household devices, strict sun protection and moisturization are still necessary after surgery to avoid pigmentation rebound or damage to the skin barrier.
These kinds of people are not suitable for receiving picosecond treatment
1. Pregnant and lactating women;
2. Allergic to light, or if the operating site is allergic or experiencing symptoms;
People with inflammation, blisters, skin infectious diseases, and those with large wounds Group;
3.Recently, there have been treatments such as radiation therapy, corticosteroid injection therapy, or oral tretinoin.
An overview of operation process and postoperative precautions
Operation process:
1.Clean the patient’s face;
2.Take photos and keep records before treatment;
3.Doctors and patients wear protective goggles;
4.According to the indications, choose the hand, energy, frequency, and spot size for treatment;
5.Pay attention to observing intraoperative light spot reactions and treatment endpoint reactions (such as the appearance of erythema or white film);
6.Apply cold compress after surgery;
7.Explain postoperative precautions and skin moisturizing care measures.
Precautions:
1.Avoid exposure to sunlight for one month before and after picosecond laser treatment, and it is recommended to continue using sunscreen after treatment.
2.Thoroughly clean the skin in the preoperative treatment area;
3.It is recommended to apply cold compress or spray after surgery to alleviate reactions such as erythema.
4.Pay attention to moisturizing after surgery and avoid using irritating skincare products;
5.For some indications, postoperative scab formation is a normal phenomenon and can usually fall off on its own after about 7 days. Do not forcefully remove the scab.
6.For different indications, the next treatment should be carried out according to the interval period specified in the medical advice.
Q&A
Q: The biggest fear of freckle removal is anti blackening. Will it continue to grow after picosecond freckle removal?
A: For dermal pigments, there will be no recurrence, and once the pigments are destroyed, they will be metabolized and eliminated from the body, and no new ones will appear. Obstructive pigmentation such as melasma may fade and disappear, but there is also a chance of rebound. Therefore, after treatment, it is necessary to strengthen protection (especially postoperative sun protection) to avoid recurrence.
Q: If it hurts to do picosecond?
A: Laser action on the skin produces heat, and picosecond uses the heat to destroy the melanocytes underneath the skin. This heat can cause a certain degree of pain, similar to being stretched by a rubber band, which most people can tolerate. If you are particularly sensitive to pain, you can choose to apply anesthesia on the surface of the skin so that it won’t hurt anymore.
