Candela

PicoWay®
The go-to laser for skin of color.

PicoWay system prepares your practice for future demographic changes.

By 2060, nearly 60% of US population will be composed of people with skin of color.1

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PicoWay laser minimizes risk of hypopigmentation and scarring in skin of color.2,3

Over the decades, laser treatment has presented challenges in patients with skin of color.

Recent laser development have significantly minimized these risks by reducing thermal impact.

1960s

CO2 Lasers

Millisecond Domain
Scarring, thermal damage.4

1990s

Q-switch Lasers

Nanosecond Domains

Reduced collateral damage, but still had hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, and scarrig.4,5

2016

Picosecond

Picosecond Domain

Minimal risk of hypopigmentation and scarring.4

Nanosecond lasers restrict use in skin of color

Nanosecond lasers have restrictive use in skin of color due to the significant risk of PIH. With QS lasers, skin of color has a 25% risk of developing PIH.5 Risk is reported to increase to 47% when the treatment is specific for lentigines, possibly due to the melanocytic hyperplasia noted histologically in a lentigo.5

skin of color

Picosecond technology avoids overheating of skin, minimizes risk in skin of color

Picosecond lasers can be used in a broader range of skin types than nanosecond lasers due to reduced risk of hyper- or hypopigmentation and scarring with picosecond photoacoustic versus photothermal effect. Shorter pulses and enhanced photoacoustic effect avoids overheating of skin and decreases risk of PIH. In skin of color, a clinical study with the picosecond laser demonstrated a low rate of PIH, at only 4.65% of the lesions.6

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Special considerations when treating skin of color with lasers

Laser treatment considerations include:7,8

  • A wavelength that is specific to and well absorbed by the chromosphere being treated, good skin penetration, and preferential absorption of melanin;
  • A laser that doesn't overheat surrounding tissues;
  • A laser that offers highly customizable treatment parameters (eg, adjustable power, spot size and fluence, no compromise of spot size for fluence);
  • A laser treatment that requires a small or reduced number of treatment sessions, relative to other laser treatment options, with minimal treatment time and low fluence.

Meet the picosecond laser intentionally designed to work from the inside out.2,3,9-11

Remove boldy. Treat lightly.

The PicoWay® system delivers high peak power and the shortest pulse durations for a non-thermal, photoacoustic effect that transforms skin from the inside out.2,3,9-11

Still have questions about treating skin of color? Our reps have a wealth of additional tools that can help you learn more.

Hear from the experts

We invite you to hear industry experts share their insights and experience treating skin of color patients using the PicoWay system.

Still have questions about treating skin of color? Our reps have a wealth of additional tools that can help you learn more.

Request A Demo

Resources
skin of color
Article

Treatment guidelines for the PicoWay laser system in skin of color

PicoWay before and after photos
Article

PicoWay before and after flip book

On-demand Webinar

Advancing lasers for skin of color

References
1. Colby SL, Ortman JM. Projections of the Size and Composition of the U.S. Population: 2014 to 2060. US Census Bureau. March 2015.
2. PicoWay 510(k) clearance for tattoos (K142372), October 2014.
3. PicoWay 510(k) clearance for tattoos with 785 nm handpiece (K160607), July 2016.
4. Adatto MA, Amir R, Bhawalkar J, et al. New and advanced picosecond lasers for tattoo removal. Curr Probl Dermatol. 2017;52:113-123.
5. Wang CC, Sue YM, Yang CH, Chen CK. A comparison of Q-switched alexandrite laser and intense pulsed light for the treatment of freckles and lentigines in Asian persons: a randomized, physician-blinded, split-face comparative trial. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;54(5):804-810.
6. Negishi K, Akita H, Matsunaga Y. Prospective study of removing solar lentigines in Asians using a novel dual-wavelength and dual-pulse width picosecond laser. Lasers Surg Med. 2018;50(8):851-858.
7. Torjesen I. Cosmetic needs differ for skin of color patients. Dermatol Times. 2018;(39)6:1-2.
8. Alexis AF. Lasers and light-based therapies in ethnic skin: treatment options and recommendations for Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI. Br J Dermatol. 2013;169(suppl 3):91-97.
9. PicoWay 510(k) clearance for wrinkles (K170597), May 2017.
10. PicoWay 510(k) clearance for acne scars (K162454), February 2017.
11. PicoWay 510(k) clearance for benign pigmented lesions (K150326), April 2015. a. Based on available 510(k) summaries as of October 2017.
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