Essential Pico Laser Aftercare for Best Results
What should I expect after Pico laser therapy? Here are a few tips that you should really consider right after. It’s always important to follow these steps to make sure the treatment is effective.
After pico laser treatment , the majority of patients report that their skin feels tight and dry; however, the degree to which these sensations persist varies considerably from patient to patient. Dry skin may cause itching in certain people, particularly those with skin that is more sensitive. Some patients may have no downtime at all, while others may feel redness or red patches as a side effect of the laser treatment. This is because your doctor would have changed the laser settings in accordance with the state of your skin. After pico laser treatment, the following is some information on what you should and should not do:
A 2020 study at Singapore's National Skin Centre found that 37.9% of patients treated with a picosecond 755 nm laser developed postlaser erythema, with no permanent pigment changes reported.
A 2020 study of Asian patients treated with a 755 nm picosecond laser reported temporary hyperpigmentation in 5.56% of cases, a reminder that sun protection matters most for darker skin types.
What to DO After Pico Laser treatment?
Hydrate your skin.
Drink plenty of water – water intake orally also affects the hydration of our skin. Use serums containing ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide, we recommend SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5, a lightweight hydrating serum suited for all skin types that is highly unlikely to cause any irritation or discomfort. For more hydration, layering SkinCeuticals H.A.Intensifier before the hydrating B5 helps to boost the levels of hyaluronic acid in our skin. These 2 serums can be used together, twice daily. For those who prefer a overnight sleeping mask, Calecim’s Recovery Night Complex contains 50% stem cell in a special conditioned media which includes hyaluronic acid and arbutin, this oil-free gel is suited for all skin types including those with acne and very sensitive skin and helps to hydrate, soothe and calm the skin
Use recovery serums.
Calecim’s serum contains 80% stem cell in a conditioned media with collagen, albumin, hyaluronic acid and peptides to accelerate healing and recovery and can be used on ablated skin. For those who are acne-prone, Skinceutical’s PhytoCorrective Serum or masque is an ideal option as they are enriched with botanical extracts that soothe and calm irritated skin.
Resume your Vitamin C products
Resume your Vitamin C products if it does not cause any irritation/stinging sensation. Vitamin C aids in healing of the skin and can be used as long as it does not cause any irritation/redness/pain during application.
What to NOT TO DO After Pico Laser treatment?
Do not over-hydrate your skin.
Most people notice that their skincare products get absorbed more quickly than usual, and the natural tendency is to apply even more product because we feel that our skin needs it. Over-hydration with products that are too rich can result in acne outbreak and comedones in individuals that are more sensitive or have acne-prone skin.
Do not use AHA products
After pico laser treatment, do not use AHA products for about 5-7 days, especially if you have redness/red petechial spots post-treatment. You can resume the products once your skin has recovered and returned to its baseline state.
A 2023 study in Skin Research and Technology reported that post-laser erythema and swelling lasted an average of 3.84 days in Chinese patients treated with a similar picosecond laser.
Try to avoid sun exposure if possible in the week after pico laser. If sun exposure is absolutely necessary, try to minimise the time spent in the sun. Use sun protective gear such as hats, umbrellas and sunglasses. Apply sunblock to exposed areas of your body and re-apply frequently as needed. Crystal Tomato’s Beyond Sun Protection is SPF 75+ PA++++and protects against blue light, infra-red and is anti-oxidant, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic. You may choose to take oral sunblock as well, Heliocare’s 360degrees oral sunblock protects against UVA, UVB, infrared and blue light while the Ultra-D series is perfect for those who will be spending more time in the sun eg. doing watersports, swimming.
A 2025 study in Lasers in Medical Science followed 44 patients treated with a fractional picosecond laser and found prolonged sun exposure was linked to poorer improvement in UV pigment spots. Consistent mask-wearing was associated with better pigmentation outcomes in the same study.
Related reading: the benefits of pico laser · pico laser treatment.
