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With industry leading 1.8 GW peak power and multi-wavelength capability, the award-winning Discovery Pico from Quanta System (Milan, Italy) is ahead of the curve. The device features Quattropulse™ Technology, as well as four
emission modes with application-specific and distinct pulse structures. Physicians are applying this cutting edge picosecond technology via the fractional handpiece for a new approach to treating wrinkles or revising acne scars.
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“Typically, we were using fully ablative resurfacing, fractional laser resurfacing, or non-ablative laser treatments, through any of the variety of wavelengths, for skin rejuvenation and scar revision, with methods evolving over the last 25 years,” said dermatologist and cosmetic laser surgeon Mark B. Taylor, M.D., founder and medical director of Gateway Aesthetic Institute and Laser Center (Salt Lake City, Utah).
“The difference in using a fractional handpiece with a high-powered picosecond laser is that while we can use lower fluences and create zones of laser-induced optical breakdown (LIOB), which picosecond lasers are most often associated with, you can also make very clean ablative holes at high a fluence,” he shared.
“This is akin to microneedling with a laser except the holes, once created, do not immediately close because tissue has been ablated,” Dr. Taylor continued.
RELATED: Discovery Pico advances scar treatment and skin rejuvenation
Dr. Taylor says treatment has two main effects. “You get more vigorous collagen remodeling due to the effect of the laser on the skin and the ablation of tissue, plus you can use these holes to facilitate the introduction of cosmeceuticals, vitamins, growth factors and other therapeutic topical compounds, which may penetrate into the dermis,” he explained.
“It is a lower heat, higher energy, cleaner version of fractional ablative laser treatment, with additional benefits from whatever topicals you might use for a given indication to maximize the outcome,” Dr. Taylor added.
The lower heat and cleaner ablative columns speed healing and reduce pain and downtime when compared to ablative laser treatments. “We also see more manageable comfort than what is associated with less invasive non-ablative treatments; these may penetrate deeply into the skin, but are very painful because of the heat,” Dr. Taylor expressed.
“We achieve equal or better outcomes using picosecond technology in this way,” he stated. “Although studies need to be done to more accurately demonstrate this comparison of efficacy, the difference in comfort, recovery and downtime are well-established.”
In Dr. Taylor’s experience there is a tremendous amount of flexibility with Discovery Pico. “Due to the high peak power, you can work effectively within a wide range of fluences and spot sizes, using lower fluence to create the traditional LIOB or turn up the fluence and drill clean, ablative holes.
“With higher fluence you tighten skin, revise scars and can improve wrinkles as well as the overall texture of the skin,” he continued. “Treatment improves local circulation and stimulates the healing response. You can treat more gently in multiple sessions, or you can be very aggressive, using five to ten passes, still seeing rapid healing and low downtime.”
Discovery Pico utilizes true 1064 nm and 532 nm wavelengths, along with a true ruby 694 nm laser for improved tattoo removal. The laser is deliverable in picosecond, Q-switched modes, as well as OptiPulseand Photo-Thermal modes enabling longer pulses for additional applications. Other device features include OptiBeam II technology to manage beam homogeneity.
