Pico laser (피코 레이저, piko reijeo) is a popular menu item in Korean skin clinics. “Pico” refers to pulses measured in picoseconds, which are extremely short. Clinic menus also use names such as 피코 토닝 (piko toning). Menu names are marketing terms, not medical definitions, so this guide shows what a regulator actually cleared one device for and what to ask about yours.
At a glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| What it usually means | A laser that delivers picosecond-length pulses. What it is used for depends on the device, the handpiece and the settings. |
| Korean words to say | 피코 레이저 (pico laser), 토닝 (toning), 기미 (melasma), 잡티 (spots, blemishes), 주근깨 (freckles) |
| Who should decide | A doctor who first identifies what the mark or scar is |
| How clinics usually quote it | By session or in a multi-session package. Ask what each session covers and what happens if the plan changes. |
What the FDA cleared one pico device for
The best-known example is the PicoSure Workstation (510(k) K140719, decision date 22 September 2014). According to the FDA record:
- It is cleared for tattoo removal and for the removal of benign pigmented lesions.
- With the 3 mm and 6 mm handpieces and the Focus Array, it is cleared for the treatment of acne scars and wrinkles in Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV.
Three points follow from this. Clearance is given per device and per use, so another pico device has its own list. A clearance can name skin types, and this one limits the acne scar and wrinkle use to types I to IV. And clearance is a regulatory step, not a quality rating. In Korea, ask for the device name and whether it is approved for the use you are being offered.
“Pico toning” and “laser toning”
Clinics sell both under similar names. We do not rank treatments. Ask the doctor to explain in plain words, and in writing, what the treatment is meant to do for your skin and how it differs from the other options on the menu. Our laser toning guide covers that treatment in the same way.
Questions to ask the clinic
- What is the mark or scar, and how do you know? Pigment spots can have different causes, and a doctor should examine them before choosing a laser.
- Which device and which handpiece? Ask for the brand and model name.
- Is it suitable for my skin tone? Ask how the clinic lowers the risk of dark marks on your skin.
- How many sessions and how far apart? Ask whether they fit inside your trip, and what follow-up is possible after you leave.
- What sun protection and home care do I need?
- What will it look like in the first days, and who do I contact if it looks worse?
- What is the written price per session, and what does it include?
Red flags
- A promise that a mark will “disappear” or a guaranteed percentage of improvement.
- A treatment chosen without an examination.
- No device name, only a menu name.
- A multi-session package sold at the first visit with no review point.
Warning signs after treatment
- Blisters or crusted areas that are not healing.
- Increasing pain, pus, a bad smell or fever.
- Skin that becomes much darker and does not settle.
Contact the clinic first, and read what to do if a skin treatment goes wrong.
Useful Korean words
| Korean | Romanised | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 피코 레이저 | piko reijeo | Pico laser |
| 토닝 | toning | Toning (a clinic menu term) |
| 기미 | gimi | Melasma |
| 잡티 | japti | Spots, blemishes |
| 주근깨 | jugeunkkae | Freckles |
| 문신 제거 | munsin jegeo | Tattoo removal |
| 색소침착 | saekso chimchak | Pigmentation, dark marks |
| 자외선차단제 | jaoeseon chadanje | Sunscreen |
| 부작용 | bujagyong | Side effects |
Frequently asked questions
Is pico laser better than other lasers?
We do not rank treatments. The source here shows only what one device is cleared for. The right choice depends on what is being treated and on your skin, and the doctor should make it.
Does it work on every skin tone?
For the device above, the FDA clearance for acne scars and wrinkles names Fitzpatrick types I to IV. Ask about the device you are offered, and let the doctor decide.
General information, not medical advice. Devices, products and rules change; confirm details with a licensed doctor. Before you book, check the clinic on our map, build a visit card to show the doctor, and read how to read a Korean clinic estimate. See the About page for our sources and corrections policy.