Advanced Pico Technology
PicoSure Laser in Austin, TX
One picosecond laser, three very different jobs: correcting pigment and texture on the skin, removing tattoo ink, and the no-downtime carbon facial glow. All with minimal downtime, at our Austin, TX med spa.
Three Ways We Use PicoSure
On the skin
Pigment, Melasma & Skin Revitalization
Sun spots, melasma, freckles, acne scarring and uneven texture on the face, neck, chest and hands. Typically 3 to 5 sessions. Everything below covers this track.
Keep readingOn ink
PicoSure Tattoo Removal in Austin, TX
Full removal, fading for cover-ups, and cosmetic or eyebrow tattoos, including the greens and blues older lasers left behind. Usually 6 to 10 sessions.
Jump to tattoo removalBefore an event
Carbon Facial — the “Hollywood Peel”
The same laser passed over a carbon mask. Refines pores, oil and dullness in about 30 minutes with zero downtime. Safe to book days before an event.
Jump to carbon facialThe Short Answer
PicoSure is a picosecond-pulse laser that shatters unwanted pigment and stimulates collagen using pressure rather than heat. At Austin Med Spa it is used for melasma, sun spots, freckles, acne scarring, uneven texture and tattoo removal, on a wider range of skin tones than older lasers safely allow.
Treats
Pigment, melasma, sun damage, acne scars, tattoos
Session Time
15 to 30 minutes
Downtime
Little to none, mild redness for a day
Sessions
3 to 5 for pigment; 6 to 10 for tattoos
Results Last
Years with sun protection
What Is PicoSure Laser and How Does It Work?
PicoSure delivers energy in picosecond pulses, shattering pigment and stimulating collagen with a pressure wave rather than heat.
That makes it effective for melasma, sun damage, acne scarring, and tattoo removal, with less thermal risk than older laser platforms.
Benefits of PicoSure Laser
Pigmentation Correction
Fades sun spots, melasma, and discoloration.
Tattoo Removal
Effectively breaks down tattoo ink of many colors.
Minimal Downtime
Faster recovery than traditional laser technology.
Safer for More Skin Tones
Picosecond pulses generate less bulk heat, lowering the risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Treats Acne Scarring
The Focus lens remodels collagen to soften rolling and boxcar scars over a series.
Clears Stubborn Ink
Shatters ink particles too small for older nanosecond lasers to break, including blues and greens.
Areas We Treat With PicoSure
Tattoo Removal
PicoSure Tattoo Removal in Austin, TX
PicoSure is the reason tattoo removal changed. Older nanosecond lasers heat ink and break it into pieces your body often cannot carry away. PicoSure delivers energy in picoseconds, creating a pressure wave that shatters ink into particles fine enough for your lymphatic system to clear, including the blues and greens that used to be considered permanent.
We remove full pieces, fade tattoos for cover-up work, clear cosmetic and eyebrow tattoos, and correct names, initials and older amateur work. If you are planning a cover-up, tell us at consultation, fading for a cover-up takes far fewer sessions than complete removal.
Black & Dark Blue
Responds best. Absorbs the 1064 nm wavelength strongly and typically clears fastest.
Red, Orange & Purple
Respond well with the correct wavelength selection, usually a few extra sessions.
Green & Teal
Historically the hardest inks to clear. PicoSure's 755 nm wavelength was built for them.
White, Tan & Flesh Tones
Least predictable. Can oxidize and darken, so we test-spot before committing.
Sessions
6 to 10 for full removal, fewer to fade for a cover-up
Spacing
6 to 8 weeks apart so your body can clear the shattered ink
Comfort
Topical numbing and cooling; most sessions run under 20 minutes
Aftercare
Ointment and a light dressing for a few days, then SPF over the area
For Austin Tattoo Artists & Shops
We work directly with Austin artists on fading for cover-ups. Send us the piece and the plan, and we will treat only as far as the design needs, with progress photos at every session so you can time the new work. If you would like to talk about referring clients, call and ask for our laser team.
Talk to Our Laser Team
Carbon Facial
PicoSure Carbon Facial in Austin, TX
Also called the “Hollywood Peel,” the carbon facial is the same PicoSure laser used at a gentler setting over a thin liquid-carbon mask. The carbon settles into pores and binds to oil and dead cells; the laser pass targets the carbon and lifts it all away at once.
The result is same-day clarity — smaller-looking pores, less shine, a matte and even finish — without the flaking of a peel or the recovery of a resurfacing laser. It is one of the few laser treatments we will happily do the day before a wedding, a shoot, or a reunion.
Think of it as the finishing treatment in your plan. Deeper pigment, melasma and scarring still call for a full PicoSure series — we will tell you which one you actually need.
Benefits of a Carbon Facial
Instant Glow
Refines texture and tone for immediate radiance, the reason it earned the “Hollywood Peel” nickname.
Minimizes Pores
The carbon binds to oil and debris inside the pore; the laser pass lifts both away.
Zero Downtime
Slightly pink for under an hour, then simply brighter. Makeup the same day.
Event-Ready Same Day
No flaking, no redness to hide. Skin looks matte and lit from within within hours.
Reduces Oil Production
Calms sebaceous activity, which helps oily and acne-prone skin between deeper treatments.
Gentle Collagen Boost
Every pass delivers a mild collagen stimulus, so a series improves tone as well as clarity.
Your Consultation
A quick skin assessment to confirm timing, especially if you have an event coming up.
The Treatment
About 30 minutes. The carbon layer is applied, passed over with the laser, then cleansed.
When You'll See Results
Same day. Skin looks brighter and matte immediately, with no downtime.
A carbon facial is the right call if
- —You have an event within the week and want visible glow with no risk of downtime.
- —Your concerns are enlarged pores, congestion, blackheads or oily shine.
- —You want maintenance between deeper PicoSure sessions or peels.
We may point you elsewhere if
- —You have an active breakout, open lesions or a current cold sore.
- —Your main concern is melasma, deep pigment or acne scarring — a full PicoSure series treats those properly.
- —You want wrinkle or laxity correction, which needs Ultherapy, Secret RF or CO₂.
Safe across skin tones, comfortable without numbing, and repeatable every two to four weeks — a series of four to six gives the most cumulative benefit for pores and oil.
Myth vs. Fact: PicoSure
Myth
“Laser pigment treatments always bleach or lighten the skin.”
Hover for the fact
Fact
PicoSure targets pigment inside cells with a pressure wave, not bulk heat. Used at correct settings it clears excess pigment while leaving your natural tone intact. Uneven lightening comes from over-aggressive settings, which is why the operator matters more than the machine.
Myth
“One session will remove my melasma for good.”
Hover for the fact
Fact
Melasma is a chronic, hormonally driven condition. PicoSure clears it effectively, but without daily SPF, antioxidants and often a prescription topical it will return. We treat melasma as a managed condition, not a one-time fix.
Myth
“Tattoo removal takes only two or three visits.”
Hover for the fact
Fact
Real removal takes 6 to 10 sessions spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart, and depends on ink color, depth, age and layering. Anyone promising full clearance in three visits is overselling.
Is PicoSure Right for You?
You may be a good candidate if
- —You have brown spots, freckles or melasma from Texas sun exposure
- —You have acne scarring or uneven texture you want smoothed without downtime
- —You want tattoo removal that protects surrounding skin
- —You need a treatment safe for medium to deeper skin tones
- —You can commit to daily sun protection between sessions
We may recommend something else if
- —You are currently tanned or have had significant recent sun exposure
- —You are pregnant or nursing
- —You have an active infection, cold sore outbreak or open wound in the area
- —You take a medication that causes photosensitivity
- —Your concern is deep wrinkles or laxity, where CO₂ or Ultherapy suits better
The PicoSure Standard
“The machine does not produce the result. The settings, the depth and the plan behind them do.”
755
nm wavelength for green & blue ink
10⁻¹²s
picosecond pulse, not heat
3–5
sessions for most pigment
All
skin tones assessed individually
Why Choose Austin Med Spa for PicoSure Laser?
PicoSure is a genuine investment in a platform, and results depend on the operator choosing the right handpiece and fluence for your concern.
We treat pigment conservatively in the Texas sun and pair every series with a home regimen that protects the result. Every plan is composed for your anatomy and goals, never templated, and never rushed.
PicoSure Laser in Austin, TX: What to Expect
Your Consultation
We identify the target, pigment, scarring, texture, or ink, and set expectations for the number of sessions.
The Treatment
15 to 30 minutes depending on the area. Most clients describe it as tolerable with topical numbing.
When You'll See Results
Mild redness for a day. Pigment lightens over 2 to 4 weeks, with collagen changes building across the series.
Questions
PicoSure & Carbon Facial FAQs
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Aftercare & Results Timeline
First 24 hours
Mild redness and warmth, similar to a light sunburn. Cool compresses and gentle moisturizer are all most clients need.
Days 2 to 7
Treated pigment darkens and works to the surface, then flakes away. Do not pick or scrub. Mineral SPF every morning is non-negotiable.
Weeks 2 to 4
Clarity and evenness become obvious. Collagen remodeling begins beneath the surface.
Months 2 to 6
Sessions build on each other. Texture and tone continue improving, and maintenance is typically once or twice a year.
Often Paired With
HydraFacial
Cleanse, extract and hydrate — our most requested no-downtime facial, and an easy add-on the same visit.
Learn MoreIPL Photofacial
Best for diffuse redness and superficial sun spots across the face and chest.
Learn MoreMicroneedling
Pairs well with PicoSure to rebuild collagen in acne-scarred skin.
Learn MoreReady to Get Started?
Call our Austin, TX med spa today to schedule your PicoSure Laser consultation.
Call (512) 479-9997