The short answer
A pico laser fragments the melanin in a freckle with a very short pulse. The effect comes mainly from pressure rather than heat. Freckles are shallow, so a short wavelength is usually chosen.
The first step is to confirm that the marks are freckles. Sun spots, melasma, flat moles and, uncommonly, lentigo maligna can look similar. Dr Sin Yong checks them first, with a dermatoscope where needed.
How the wavelength is chosen
| Wavelength | Where it may be used |
|---|---|
| 532 nm | The usual choice, because freckles are superficial targets. |
| 785 nm picosecond | Where freckles are denser or the skin is darker. |
| 1064 nm | Kept for deeper pigment, or for darker skin where surrounding melanin needs sparing. |
Who pico laser for freckles suits
Spots that darken in the sun and fade without it.
Fitzpatrick IV to V skin may be treated, often with adjusted settings and a test area first.
Who should wait, or look elsewhere
Wait until it fades. Tanned skin absorbs more energy and darkens more readily.
Larger, fixed dots are solar lentigines. They are a different condition and are not treated as freckles.
Symmetrical patches that heat provokes are melasma, which is planned differently.
A dot that is changing, irregular or darker than its neighbours is examined first and may be referred to a dermatologist.
What it cannot do
Pico laser does not stop new freckles forming. Sun exposure prompts them, and the laser does not change that tendency. It also cannot promise a set number of visits, because treatment may be staged. The aim is to treat the pigment present today. Daily sun protection continues, and new freckles may still appear.
What a visit involves
Risks and side effects
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can form around a treated spot. Picking, sun during healing or excess energy make it more likely.
Over-treatment can leave a pale dot, which recovers slowly.
Both of the above are more likely in darker skin. Conservative settings and sun protection reduce the risk but do not remove it.
A changing mark could be lasered as a freckle. This is why diagnosis comes first.
Blistering, pinpoint bleeding and cold sore flares. Report these to the clinic the same day.
Sun care and fees
Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, a hat and midday shade all matter. A topical retinoid or other prescription lightening agent may be discussed after assessment. Where freckles sit alongside sun spots or uneven tone, the T2 Frax Radiance protocol may be considered. Fees depend on the area, the number and density of spots, the wavelength and mode, any test area and how treatment is staged. No prices are listed, as Singapore's rules do not allow them to be advertised. A written, itemised quote follows consultation.