Picosecond laser
Extremely brief pulses of light break pigment into tiny fragments. We use this laser to improve dark spots and freckles and to fade tattoos.
Depth: epidermis to dermis This is a model, so layer thickness is not to scale.
How it works
Examination firstPigment that is new, or that has changed in shape or color, is examined before any laser treatment.
01What it uses
Light in picosecond pulses
The light comes in bursts lasting trillionths of a second. Because it stays in the skin so briefly, little heat spreads to the surrounding tissue.
02Which layer
Epidermis to dermis
Dark spots sit mostly in the epidermis, while tattoos and some pigment lie in the dermis. We choose the depth and intensity to suit the goal.
03How it works
Broken up, then cleared by the body
Immune cells clear the fragmented pigment slowly over several weeks. That is why we leave about 4 weeks between sessions.
Concerns and how it works
If this sounds like you
- I keep getting more dark spots on my cheekbones
- Makeup doesn’t really cover my freckles
- I’d like to fade an old tattoo
Where melanin gathers in one place, it shows as a dark spot or a freckle, while a tattoo is pigment placed in the dermis. A picosecond laser delivers light in pulses measured in picoseconds (trillionths of a second), breaking pigment apart with a split-second impact more than with heat. Pico toning treats the whole face gently, while spot treatment targets individual spots.
Treatment details
Sessions, downtime, and side effects
- Usual sessions
- 1–5 sessions (depending on the goal)
- Interval
- About 4 weeks
- Treatment time
- 10–20 min
- Numbing
- Numbing cream (depending on the area)
- Downtime
- Redness for 1–2 days; scabs on treated spots for 5–7 days
What it is for
Improving dark spots and freckles, and lightening tattoos. How much your skin changes, and how quickly, varies from person to person.
Side effects
Redness, swelling, scabbing, and temporary hyperpigmentation can occur. A tattoo may stay visible even after several sessions.
Is it right for you
When it suits you,and when it may not
- Good for: You have dark spots and freckles on your cheekbones and cheeks
- Good for: You want to treat just a few chosen spots
- Good for: You want to fade a tattoo (this takes several sessions)
- Good for: You are having laser toning and want the more noticeable spots treated separately
- May not suit: Recently tanned skin
- May not suit: Inflammation, a wound, or a cold sore in the treatment area
- May not suit: Pregnancy
- May not suit: Expecting a tattoo to vanish within a short time (some ink may remain even after many sessions)
Before and after
From before your visit back to daily life
- BeforeExamination, plan, and price
- Day of treatment10–20 min · numbing cream (depending on the area)
- After 1 dayOK again: makeup; strenuous exercise
- After 3 daysOK again: saunas and hot baths
- Around 7 daysUsually healed by now (varies by person)
Before treatment
- Wear sunscreen before treatment so your skin does not tan.
- Let us know if you use skincare with retinoids or exfoliating ingredients.
- Spot treatment can leave small scabs for 5–7 days, so we time it around your important plans.
- Some areas need numbing cream, which adds 30–60 minutes.
After treatment
- Leave scabs until they fall off on their own, and keep healing tape over them.
- Skip makeup on the treated area for 1 day.
- Avoid saunas and hot baths for 3 days, and strenuous exercise for 1 day.
- Wear sunscreen daily. Skin where a scab has come off stays more sensitive to sunlight for a while.
Price
The final price, VAT included
This is a self-pay fee. There are no discounts or promotional prices, and we go over each item and its price again before treatment.
- Pico toning (full face), 1 session₩165,000
- Spot treatment, 1 session (varies by area size)₩55,000–₩165,000
Self-pay · final price, VAT included · as of Nov 2, 2026
SuppliesIncluded: healing tape
MedicationIncluded: numbing cream (depending on the area)
Common questions
What people often ask about picosecond laser
How much pain should I expect?
Each pulse feels like a small, sharp snap on the skin. Depending on the area, we apply numbing cream, and the sensation varies by individual.
How long will it take me to recover?
Redness lasts 1–2 days, and scabs on treated spots last 5–7 days. The treatment itself takes 10–20 minutes.
How many sessions will I need?
It takes 1–5 sessions depending on the goal, about 4 weeks apart. Dark spots sometimes fade in a few sessions, while a tattoo may remain even after many. We decide the number after an examination.
Can I combine it with other treatments?
In the Danjeong Tone program, it can be planned as an optional add-on to laser toning. We decide on the day, after looking at your skin, whether two lasers can be used on the same area at one visit.
Keep exploring
Other treatments in the same layer
Skin conditions in the same layer (covered by National Health Insurance): acne, atopic dermatitis, and eczema & hand eczema. Reaching the same layer does not make this a treatment for those conditions.