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PIQO4 Melasma

Conveniently located to serve San Jose, CA

New PiQo4 Laser Is a Hyperpigmentation Treatment for All Skin Tones, especially melasma.

PiQo4

Welcome to the future of getting rid of the past

PiQo4 treats a wide range of pigment colors and its versatile energy matrix ensures effective shattering of pigment deposits. It also has the largest spot size on the market, which allows you to deliver faster treatments. PiQo4’s ability to treat a wide variety of skin conditions, including tattoo removal, provides your customers an attractive range of aesthetic solutions to improve their lifestyle and sense of well-being.

The PiQo4 brings unique technology with combination of unsurpassed advantages

Pico+Nano for doubly effective Treatment

Clinical studies have shown that the optimal method for shattering pigment particles is to treat them with both Nano and Picosecond laser pulses*.

First, the Nanosecond pulses are used to deliver short bursts of energy that break down the larger and deeper pigment or ink particles. Then, the area is rescanned with Picosecond pulses that dismantle the smaller and shallower particles. This combination yields far better results than using either one of the technologies on its own.

High Energy

Very short laser pulses are absorbed into the target areas of the skin causing the conversion of light energy into acoustic waves that shatter the ink/pigment granules in a process that is fast and effective.The high energy levels of PiQo4 allow pigment/tattoo removal with fewer treatments compared with other competing laser systems. PiQo4 provides up to 10 times more energy for both 1064nm and 532nm (650mJ & 325mJ respectively) wavelengths. They can be set as either Nano or Pico, making them suitable for use with both, for dual pulse treatments.*Compared to competitive systems

Deep Reach – for Deep Pigment Shattering

With PiQo4, your customers will appreciate the faster treatment results with shorter treatment sessions. PiQo4 offers up to 15 spot sizes, ranging from 2mm to 15mm, the largest uniform spot size in today’s aesthetics industry and almost four times larger than that of the closest competitor.PiQo4’s larger spot sizes allow deeper maintenance of penetration into the dermis and better dispersal of the pigment or embedded ink particles. Studies have demonstrated that treatment with a large spot size at low fluences significantly decreases any occurrence of blistering, discoloration or scarring* on the skin’s surface, since the energy is being spread over a wider area.

*Brown, Mussarat, Hussain & Goldberg. Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2011 13:280-282

4 Wavelengths – For effective shattering of the most popular pigment/ink colors

Since each pigment color absorbs a specific wavelength, PiQo4 offers 4 wavelengths in order to treat the broadest range of pigment/tattoo colors, on the widest range of skin types. Its four wavelengths – 1064nm, 532nm, 650nm and 585nm – target 9 of the most frequently used tattoo colors ranging from light orange to dark black. With PiQo4  you can erase the rainbow.

PiQo4 is the most advanced laser of its kind in treating multiple types of pigment issues such as pigmented lesions, age spots, sun spots, birthmarks and vascular lesions, as well as removing tattoos. Especially for very resistant melasma can be treated with PiQo4 and Glutathione Injectable.

PiQo4’s super-high energy also means super-fast results – even on a super-sized area such as a large scar or unsightly tattoo. PiQo4 offers up to 15 spot sizes, starting from 2 mm with the largest size at 15.5 mm – almost four times bigger than anything else on the market. This can remove pigment in 40 percent less treatment time.

Treat melasma

Melasma affects more than 5 million Americans – mostly women – and is more common in darker skin types, particularly Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV. For example, melasma is estimated to affect around 40 percent of Southeast Asian women.

Dr. Jane has already experienced a great deal of success with PiQo4, declares “The combination of Nano and Pico wavelengths allows PiQo4 to uniquely treat melasma, which is something no other single laser can do.” Dr. Jane adds a glutathione IV drip, BBL, or Hydrafacial skin treatment for the better result.

Treat all skin types

While many other lasers exclude certain skin tones because the side effects can make the pigment problems worse, PiQo4’s non-thermal energy is suitable for all skin types and colors.

Dr. Jane comments, “Too much heat can result in more downtime and occasionally worsens hyperpigmentation, especially on darker skin types.” She adds, “The new PiQo4 Laser has the ability to target pigment at different levels of the skin. It uses energy aimed at the brown spot of concern – shattering it, rather than transforming it into heat.”

Got Melasma? Piqo4, a new laser for unwanted brown spots

Even before laugh lines or deepening forehead furrows, dark spots are often the first sign that we’re not getting any younger. But unlike blemishes, brown discolorations don’t fade away on their own and can be particularly stubborn, if Melasma is their cause.

Melasma is an inflammatory skin condition that causes brown-gray blotches on the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip in people who are genetically prone. Hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone in combination with the sun put your skin pigment cells into overdrive, gradually creating patchy discoloration.

Although topical brightening creams are often first-line treatments, these products typically don’t penetrate deeply enough to really remove pigment satisfactorily. Chemical peels typically fall short, too, and most traditional lasers aren’t good options because they use too much heat, which can paradoxically worsen pigmentation.

Treating Melasma starts with…

Treating Melasma typically starts with managing or eliminating risk factors and using topical lightening formulations. Daily sun protection is a must because sun is one of the few variables we can better manage.

Controlling hormones is more difficult unless you’re on a birth control pill and can stop it. For topicals, Dr. Jane recommends combination creams that target multiple steps. Combinations containing compounds like hydroquinone, arbutin, azeleic acid, or kojic acid may temporarily improve the skin, but pigment often returns when products aren’t used. So, maintainenace protocol is very important. Dr. Jane recommends Hydrafacial after a session of PIQO4 laser treatment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. What about devices or lasers for treating Melasma?

A. We have used light and laser-based treatments for several years, but they haven’t been perfect. The problem with most lasers is that energy delivered creates too much heat in the skin, which can create additional injury-related pigmentation. But, there is a newer laser, one that helps circumvent this concern, the piQo4 picosecond laser. The piQo4 helps solve this problem because it delivers energy so quickly, the skin doesn’t heat up. How? The piQo4 transfers light energy to brown spots in very short picoseconds, faster than nano and milliseconds. The pigment absorbs it so quickly, that the energy is immediately converted into pressure, not heat. This pressure shatters the pigment particles into sand, which your body eliminates. The end result? Clearer skin without paradoxical darkening.

But, this is not a one-time treatment. To safely clear brown patches, 2-4 weekly treatments are needed. And Dr. Jane combines other laser depending on patients’ skin. And because of the recalcitrant nature of Melasma, a monthly maintenance treatment is advisable.

So, with so many less than perfect options, why not give the piQo4 laser a shot? Clearer, brighter skin is your upside. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Jane or her consultants at our dermatology clinics in Beverly Hills, Encino or Torrance. However, most of patients have a combination of melasma, sun spots, freckle, or ABNOM ( Acquired, Bilateral Nevus of Ota-like Macules ) which requires more aggressive laser treatment such as BBL, Fraxel, C6 Laser Toning, or Active FX Co2 laser.

Q. What hormone causes melasma?

A. Melanocytes are the cells in the skin that deposit pigment. However, it is thought that pregnancy-related melasma is caused by the presence of increased levels of progesterone and not due to estrogen and MSH. Postmenopausal women receiving estrogen alone seem less likely to develop melasma.

Q. What is the cause of melasma?

A. This means birth control pills, pregnancy, and hormone therapy can all trigger melasma. Stress and thyroid disease are also thought to be causes of melasma. Additionally, sun exposure can cause melasma because ultraviolet rays affect the cells that control pigment (melanocytes)

Q. Is there any treatment for melasma?

A. No, at present there is no cure for melasma, but there are several treatment options that may improve the appearance. If melasma occurs during pregnancy, it may go away a few months after delivery and treatment may not be necessary- though it may come back during another pregnancy.

Q. Will melasma go away?

A. Melasma can fade on its own or even get worse. This usually happens when a trigger, such as a pregnancy or birth control pills, causes the melasma. Some people, however, have melasma for years — or even a lifetime. If the melasma does not go away or a woman wants to keep taking birth control pills, melasma treatments are available.

Q. Which vitamin is good for melasma?

A. You can take vitamin C 1000mg daily. Or you can get a Vitamin C plus glutathione IV drip. It appears to be an effective short-term treatment for melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. A protocol of strict sun avoidance in combination with a Vitamin C skin care regimen appears to be useful in maintaining the improvement

Q. Does stress cause melasma?

A. The incidence of melasma also increases in patients with thyroid disease. It is thought that the overproduction of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) brought on by stress can cause outbreaks of this condition. Other rare causes of melasma include allergic reaction to medications and cosmetics.

References

  1. ASAPS
  2. “Fashions change but tattoos are forever: time to regret”; Aslam A, Owen C. British Journal of Dermatology, December 2013, vol./is. 169/6(1364-1366), 0007-0963;1365-2133 (December 2013)
  3. Sheth, V. M., & Pandya, A. G. (2011). Melasma: a comprehensive update: Part I. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 65(4), 689-697.