Quick answer: A single Pico Laser session in Taipei is USD $400 at New Dawn Health (Picosure Pro, flat lens); the Platinum Focus Lens version for scars and texture is $733. A New York City practice quotes Picosure Pro at up to $1,300 per session. In a randomized melasma trial the course was 3 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart, and redness after the 755 nm laser lasted a median of 2 hours. Picosure Pro is the device our partner clinics use; Cynosure's 510(k) clearance K210226 (FDA, March 2021) covers melasma, Nevus of Ota, Hori macules, tattoos, acne scars and wrinkles.
Pico Laser, short for picosecond laser, is one of the treatments travelers price-check most often before a Taipei trip. This guide covers what the laser actually does, what New Dawn Health charges per package in 2026, how many sessions published trials used, how Pico compares with microneedling and Ultherapy, and what to ask before booking.
What does Pico Laser actually do?
Pico Laser delivers light energy in picosecond pulses (one trillionth of a second), shorter than the nanosecond pulses of traditional Q-switched lasers. The ultra-short pulse fragments pigment particles through photoacoustic shock waves rather than heat, which reduces thermal damage to surrounding skin and shortens recovery.
The result: efficient pigment clearance, minimal downtime, and an option for skin types that respond poorly to older laser technology, including Asian skin types prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
The FDA 510(k) summary for clearance K210226 — the PicoSure Workstation, cleared to Cynosure on 30 March 2021 and the device at New Dawn's partner clinics — states these indications for use:
- 755 nm — "indicated for tattoo and benign pigmented lesions removal including but not limited to: Nevus of Ota, Hori macules (nevus of Hori), and Melasma"
- 755 nm with the 2 mm and 6 mm handpieces and the Focus Array — "indicated for the treatment of acne scars and wrinkles in Skin Types I – IV"
- Optional 532 nm delivery system — "indicated for tattoo removal and benign pigmented lesions removal in Skin Types I-III"; the optional 1064 nm delivery system is "indicated for tattoo and benign pigmented lesions removal"
How much does Pico Laser cost in Taipei in 2026?
New Dawn Health lists three Picosure Pro packages at partner dermatology clinics in Taipei. The lens decides the price: the flat lens treats pigment, the Platinum Focus Lens concentrates the beam to remodel texture. Every Picosure Pro package includes a doctor consultation, skin preparation and post-treatment care. Prices are in USD per session; see all packages.
| New Dawn package | Lens | Best for | Treatment time | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picosure Pro | Flat lens | Sun spots, freckles, uneven pigmentation | Up to 45 minutes | $400 |
| Platinum Picosure Pro – Focus Lens | Platinum Focus Lens | Acne scars, pores, fine lines, melasma | 1 hour | $733 |
| Provenir Clinic – Platinum Picosure Pro | Platinum Focus Lens | Same as above, at Provenir Clinic | 1 hour | $766 |
How does the Taipei price compare with the US?
The US figures below are the upper bound of the per-session range each clinic publishes on its own website. Qazi Cosmetic Center in Newport Beach lists a separate range for each concern; William Lao, MD in New York City quotes Picosure Pro at up to $1,300 per session across all concerns.
| Concern | New Dawn Taipei (USD) | US per session (Qazi Cosmetic Center) |
|---|---|---|
| Pigmentation (sun spots, freckles, melasma) | $400 (Picosure Pro) | up to $800 |
| Skin revitalization (tone, texture, fine lines) | $733 (Platinum Picosure Pro – Focus Lens) | up to $1,500 |
| Acne scars | $733 (Platinum Picosure Pro – Focus Lens) | up to $1,000 |
| Tattoo removal | Quoted per tattoo at consultation | up to $1,200 |
How many sessions does Pico Laser take, and how far apart?
The counts below are the protocols used in peer-reviewed trials of picosecond lasers, not a promise for your skin. Your dermatologist sets the number at consultation; sun spots and freckles usually clear in fewer sessions than melasma.
| Concern | Sessions | Spacing | Results assessed | Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melasma | 3 | 4 weeks | 2, 3 and 4 months after the last session | Liang et al., Frontiers in Medicine, 2023 (randomized) |
| Wrinkles / skin revitalization (Focus Lens) | 4 | 1 month | 1, 3 and 6 months after the last session | Weiss et al., Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2017 |
| Acne scars (Focus Lens) | 6 | 4–8 weeks | 1 and 3 months after the last session | Brauer et al., JAMA Dermatology, 2015 |
| Tattoo removal (picosecond, multicolor) | 6.5 on average (protocol allowed 7) | 6–10 weeks | 79% average clearance after 6.5 treatments | Bernstein et al., Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2015 |
Planning a trip: three melasma sessions four weeks apart span eight weeks from first to last visit, so a single short trip covers one session. Book the first session in Taipei, then continue the course on the same device wherever you are.
Pico Laser vs Microneedling vs Ultherapy: which do you need?
These three treatments are often confused because they all promise "skin rejuvenation," but they work through completely different mechanisms and address different concerns.
| Pico Laser | Microneedling (RF) | Ultherapy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Picosecond light pulse | Micro-injuries + radiofrequency heat | Focused ultrasound to SMAS layer |
| Best for | Pigmentation, tone, mild scars | Texture, pores, scars, mild laxity | Skin lifting (jowls, neck, brow) |
| Pain | Low (rubber band snap) | Moderate (numbing applied) | Moderate–high (deep tissue heat) |
| Downtime | Redness for hours: median 2 hours in the melasma trial; under 24 hours for most patients in the wrinkle trial | Redness and pinpoint scabs for a few days | Same day, minor swelling |
| At New Dawn Health | $400 (Picosure Pro), $733 (Platinum Focus Lens) | Not listed; for texture we list Stellar M22 ResurFX (1565 nm non-ablative fractional laser) at $600 | Not offered |
Rule of thumb: Pico for surface (pigmentation, tone). Microneedling or a fractional laser for texture (pores, scars). Ultherapy for deep tissue lifting. Many patients combine a pigment treatment with a texture treatment on the same trip.
What happens at a Taipei Pico Laser session?
Every New Dawn Picosure Pro package follows the same four steps:
- Doctor consultation — the dermatologist examines your skin, confirms the lens (flat or Platinum Focus) and takes pre-treatment photos. A reputable clinic will not skip this step.
- Skin preparation — cleansing, and topical numbing where the treatment plan calls for it. Pigment toning passes are often done without numbing.
- Laser treatment — up to 45 minutes for the Picosure Pro flat-lens session; the Platinum Focus Lens packages are booked as 1 hour.
- Post-treatment care — cooling, a soothing mask and sunscreen before you leave.
Immediately after: mild redness and slight warmth, similar to mild sunburn. In the randomized melasma trial, redness after the 755 nm laser lasted a median of 2 hours; in the wrinkle trial the majority of patients had redness resolve in under 24 hours. Treated pigment spots can darken before they flake away.
Aftercare: wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day — the FDA's floor is an SPF of 15 or higher — keep out of direct sun, and pause exfoliating actives (retinoids, AHA/BHA), hot showers and saunas for as long as your clinic's written instructions say.
What should you ask before booking?
- Which device do you use? Ask for the brand and model, not just "pico." Cynosure's Picosure Pro, the device at New Dawn's partner clinics, holds FDA clearance K210226; Candela's PicoWay is the other picosecond platform you will see quoted. An unfamiliar brand name should raise a flag.
- Is the operator a licensed physician? At New Dawn's partner clinics the consultation and treatment are performed by a dermatologist. Confirm who holds the handpiece.
- How many sessions do you recommend for my specific concern? A clinic that quotes a single session for melasma without seeing your skin is over-promising; the randomized trial above used three.
- What is included in the per-session price? Consultation, post-care products, follow-up review — verify the bundle.
- What is the post-session aftercare plan? A reputable clinic provides written aftercare instructions and a follow-up channel.
Who should skip Pico Laser?
- Pregnant or breastfeeding (defer until after feeding)
- Active acne breakout in the treatment area (treat the acne first)
- Recent sun exposure or a tan (let it fade first; the dermatologist decides at consultation)
- Taking photosensitizing medications (consult a dermatologist)
- Skin infections, open wounds, or active herpes simplex
Ready to book Pico Laser in Taipei?
New Dawn Health works with vetted Taipei dermatology clinics that use the FDA-cleared Picosure Pro and provide English-language consultation. We can pair Pico Laser with other treatments (Stellar M22 IPL, ResurFX, Hydrafacial, a clinical dermatologist appointment) if you are planning a single trip to address multiple concerns.
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Sources
- U.S. FDA — 510(k) Premarket Notification K210226, PicoSure Workstation, Cynosure, LLC, decision 30 March 2021 (accessed 2026-09-08)
- U.S. FDA — 510(k) Summary K210226, PicoSure Workstation, Cynosure, LLC: Indications for Use (accessed 2026-09-08)
- Liang S et al., Frontiers in Medicine, 2023 — Comparison of the efficacy and safety of picosecond Nd:YAG laser (1,064 nm), picosecond alexandrite laser (755 nm) and 2% hydroquinone cream in the treatment of melasma: a randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial (accessed 2026-09-08)
- Weiss RA et al., Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2017 — Safety and efficacy of a novel diffractive lens array using a picosecond 755 nm alexandrite laser for treatment of wrinkles (accessed 2026-09-08)
- Brauer JA et al., JAMA Dermatology, 2015 — Use of a picosecond pulse duration laser with specialized optic for treatment of facial acne scarring (accessed 2026-09-08)
- Bernstein EF et al., Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2015 — A novel dual-wavelength, Nd:YAG, picosecond-domain laser safely and effectively removes multicolor tattoos (accessed 2026-09-08)
- William Lao, MD — PicoSure Pro New York City, cost per session (accessed 2026-09-08)
- Qazi Cosmetic Center — Picosure Pro laser treatment: review and pricing by concern (accessed 2026-09-08)
- U.S. FDA — Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun (accessed 2026-09-08)
Frequently asked
How much does Pico Laser cost in Taipei in 2026?
At New Dawn Health a Picosure Pro session in Taipei is USD $400 with the flat lens, which treats sun spots, freckles and uneven pigmentation. The Platinum Picosure Pro – Focus Lens package, used for acne scars, pores, fine lines and melasma, is $733; the same Platinum treatment at Provenir Clinic is $766. Every Picosure Pro package includes the doctor consultation, skin preparation and post-treatment care. For comparison, a New York City practice quotes Picosure Pro at up to $1,300 per session.
How many Pico Laser sessions do I need to see results?
It depends on the target, and your dermatologist sets the plan at consultation. Published trials of picosecond lasers give a useful benchmark: a randomized melasma trial used 3 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart; a wrinkle trial using the diffractive lens array used 4 treatments a month apart; a facial acne scarring study used 6 treatments every 4 to 8 weeks; and a multicolor tattoo study averaged 6.5 treatments at 6 to 10 week intervals for 79% average clearance. Sun spots and freckles usually clear in fewer sessions than melasma.
Is Pico Laser safe for Asian skin and darker skin tones?
Picosecond technology causes less thermal damage to surrounding tissue than older Q-switched lasers, which is why it is used on pigment conditions common in Asian skin. Cynosure’s Picosure Pro is FDA-cleared at 755 nm for benign pigmented lesions “including but not limited to: Nevus of Ota, Hori macules (nevus of Hori), and Melasma”. Note the limit on the texture indication: acne scars and wrinkles with the Platinum Focus Lens are cleared for skin types I–IV. Settings are set by the treating dermatologist after examining your skin.
Pico Laser vs Microneedling — which should I get?
Pico Laser is the right choice for pigmentation, uneven skin tone, sun damage and superficial scars. Microneedling, especially with radiofrequency, targets texture — enlarged pores, rolling acne scars, mild laxity. They address different layers of skin and are commonly combined. New Dawn Health does not list microneedling; for texture we list the Stellar M22 ResurFX, a 1565 nm non-ablative fractional laser, at $600. If you have both pigmentation and texture concerns, expect a combination plan.
What is the downtime after a Taipei Pico Laser session?
Most patients return to work the same day. In the randomized melasma trial, redness after the 755 nm picosecond laser lasted a median of 2 hours; in the wrinkle trial the majority of patients had redness resolve in under 24 hours. Treated dark spots can look darker before they flake away. Afterwards, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day — the FDA's floor is an SPF of 15 or higher — stay out of direct sun, and pause retinoids, exfoliating acids and saunas for as long as your clinic's written aftercare instructions say.
