Hello everyone. Today, I’m going to talk about the difference between Picolas Alien and the Picolas mini MD60. We’ll explore the choices and comparisons between these two machines for treating common pigmented lesions. As you know, Picosecond laser technology, with its unique ultra-short pulse duration and high peak power, holds a significant advantage in the field of aesthetic dermatology, especially in treating pigmented lesions like spots. So, when choosing a Picosecond laser device, should we opt for Picolas Alien or Picolas mini MD60 treatment?
The theme of my presentation today is to compare the Picolas Alien machine and the Picolas mini MD60 produced by our company, Oriental-Laser. We’ll look at the differences between these two models and discuss which machine offers better results for treating different types of pigmented lesions and removing tattoos.
First, let’s make a general comparison of these two devices from Oriental Laser (Beijing) Co., Ltd. Looking at their parameters, the Picolas Alien device has a pulse width of 2000 Picoseconds. Its 1064 nm single pulse energy can reach a maximum of 1200 mJ at 10 Hz. Additionally, the 1064 nm wavelength has a PDP mode, or energy-pulse string Mode, which can reach a maximum of 2400 mJ at a frequency of 5 Hz. At 532 nm, its highest single pulse energy can reach 600 mJ at an adjustable frequency of 10 Hz. The large Picosecond device Picolas Alien also has a spot size range of 2 to 10 mm, offering various adjustable spot sizes.
This large Picosecond machine, Picolas Alien, has a distinct advantage: it can perform large-spot, large-area treatments. Its higher energy also allows it to treat the dermal layer, as it penetrates deeper into the skin, and its frequency can be adjusted higher. This means it can operate at 1200 mJ at 10 Hz. It boasts high energy, high frequency, and a pulse width of 2000 Picoseconds.
Under the same parameters, let’s compare this with the Picolas mini MD60. Its pulse width is 9 nanoseconds, which is equivalent to 9000 Picoseconds. At a wavelength of 1064 nm, its maximum single pulse energy can reach 350 mJ and is adjustable up to 10 Hz. In PDP mode, it can reach a maximum of 3300 mJ, adjustable up to 5 Hz. At 532 nm, it only has SP mode, with a maximum single pulse energy of 350 mJ, adjustable up to 10 Hz.
As for the spot size of the Picolas mini MD60, if you haven’t purchased the focusing head for adjusting the spot size, we typically adjust the distance to the skin during treatment to achieve a default spot size of approximately 3 mm, ranging from 2 to 4 mm, based on visual perception. The Picolas mini MD60 also has its advantages during treatment. Its small spot size allows for focused treatment, and the treatment effect on the superficial skin layer is very noticeable. The frequency is relatively lower. For example, when adjusting between 1 and 5 Hz, the frequency will be relatively low. Its energy output is also quite high, and its small pulse width can reach 9000 Picoseconds. Now we have a basic understanding of the parameters of these two devices, let’s see which machine is better suited for treating different pigmented lesions and tattoos.
From the parameter comparison above, it’s clear that the Picolas Alien has higher single pulse energy. If we aim for peak power, its 1064 nm wavelength can reach 1200 mJ, and its 532 nm single pulse energy can reach 600 mJ, meaning its peak single pulse energy is higher. This indicates that the 1064 nm wavelength is primarily suitable for treating deep pigments, such as Ota’s nevus or dark tattoos, especially if the tattoo density and area are large. In such cases, you can choose the Picolas Alien with higher single pulse energy and a larger spot size for treating dark tattoos. At 532 nm, using a Picolas Alien is more suitable for quickly removing red tattoos or superficial pigmented lesions.
In normal clinical practice, if we use small spot sizes for higher precision, we can more easily treat areas around the eyes, hairline, and other small, delicate areas. If we use large spot sizes with high energy, we can treat back tattoos and large areas of pigmented lesions, such as Melasma. For tattoo removal, for instance, when using the Picolas mini MD60 at 1064 nm for black or dark tattoos, with a default spot size of around 3 mm and a single pulse energy of 350 mJ, it is entirely sufficient. In the pulse energy (pulse string mode), this mode is more suitable for treating high-density tattoos.
At 532 nm, we can adjust the spot size to be smaller and set the single pulse energy to around 200 mJ to treat red or yellow tattoos. We can choose a lower frequency, between 2 and 5 Hz. However, when using a Picolas Alien for treatment at 1064 nm, we can choose a larger spot size, around 6 mm, and its single pulse energy can be very high, making the treatment faster. In PDP mode, the double pulse can enhance the photoacoustic effect, making the treatment of large, black, and dark tattoos more satisfying. If we use a 4 mm spot size at 532 nm with high single pulse energy and the fast scanning mode at 10 Hz, treating red and yellow tattoos will be faster and more efficient. However, we need to be cautious when using a Picolas Alien to treat patients with darker skin tones, as there might be a risk of thermal damage. The Picolas mini MD60 is safer in this regard, as it can avoid thermal damage to surrounding tissues. If we use a Picolas Alien for treatment, we need to adjust the energy level lower to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Let’s also look at a few examples of treating pigmented lesions. For Melasma, if we use Picolas mini MD60, we can choose the 1064 nm wavelength with a spot size of about 3 mm and a single pulse energy of around 200 mJ to treat Melasma. It’s also acceptable to use the energy (pulse string mode) to scan the Melasma evenly. However, if we use a Picolas Alien to treat Melasma at 1064 nm, we can choose a larger spot size of 8 mm and set the single pulse energy to around 800 mJ. In this case, if we use the energy (pulse string mode), we can use lower energy and a higher frequency, making the treatment faster and more efficient.
For treating Ota’s nevus, we need to choose the 1064 nm wavelength. If we use Picolas mini MD60, the spot size might be around 3 mm. We need to use the energy (pulse string mode) for treatment and perform multiple sessions to treat Ota’s nevus, as it is a deep lesion. If we use a Picolas Alien, we can use a larger spot size, and the single pulse energy will also be higher. We can use 1200 mJ of single pulse energy to treat Ota’s nevus. A course of 3 to 5 treatments can effectively treat this condition. Let’s also talk about treating age spots. Based on our experience, using a Picolas Alien at 1064 nm with a 4 mm spot size and a single pulse energy of 300 mJ provides good results with minimal damage.
If the age spots are still in the superficial layer of the skin, we can also use 532 nm to treat them. If we choose 532 nm with a 4 mm spot size, we can set the single pulse energy higher, between 500 and 600 mJ, and achieve a one-time clearance of age spots. However, if we use Picolas mini MD60, its spot size might not be as large, around 3 mm. We can still achieve a single pulse energy of 350 mJ, which can also achieve a one-time clearance of age spots. In summary, the Picolas Alien offers more and larger spot size options, and its low energy might be more uniform, reducing the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The single-session effect of the Picolas Alien might be stronger, requiring a longer interval between treatments. The Picolas Alien is more suitable for thicker, keratinized age spots. If you use Picolas mini MD60, you might need more treatment sessions to see comparable results.
Another concept we need to understand is that the pulse width also has a certain impact on the treatment mechanism. As we learned earlier, the Picolas mini MD60 has a nanosecond-level pulse width of 9 nanoseconds. A longer pulse width means that the energy is released relatively slowly. It primarily relies on the photothermal effect, heating and destroying the target tissue, which might be accompanied by more thermal damage. It has some advantages, such as being gentler for treating superficial pigments like freckles, sun spots, or superficial vascular lesions like telangiectasias, and its treatment cost is relatively low.
Picolas Alien, with a pulse width of 2000 Picoseconds, has a much shorter pulse width. It is closer to or below the thermal relaxation time of pigments. For example, melanin has a thermal relaxation time of about 0.5 to 1 microsecond. The laser energy is released in an extremely short time, producing a strong photomechanical effect, or shockwave, which can directly shatter the melanin particles, such as black ink in tattoos and melanin, while minimizing thermal diffusion to surrounding tissues.
What are the advantages of this? It is more suitable for treating stubborn pigments, such as deep tattoos or deep dermal pigments like Ota’s nevus. The risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after treatment is lower. In such cases, we should choose a Picosecond-level Picolas Alien Picosecond device with a pulse width of 2000 Picoseconds.
So, what are the main differences between the large Picolas Alien and the Picolas mini MD60 in terms of treatment effects?
First, regarding pigment clearance efficiency, the photomechanical effect of the Picolas Alien can directly shatter pigments, resulting in higher clearance efficiency. The Picolas mini MD60 relies on thermal decomposition, so we might need multiple treatments to achieve a moderate to high level of pigment clearance.
In terms of the number of treatments, the Picolas Alien might require fewer sessions, especially for stubborn tattoos or deep pigment treatment. With a Picolas Alien, you might only need about three treatments, while with Picolas mini MD60, you might need more sessions, say 4 to 5.
The third aspect is the risk of thermal damage. The Picolas Alien reduces thermal diffusion, so the risk of thermal damage is smaller. However, the Picolas mini MD60 might cause inflammatory reactions in surrounding tissues.
Fourth, regarding the range of treatment indications, the Picolas Alien has a broader range. Besides treating tattoos and pigmented diseases, it can also achieve skin rejuvenation, treat acne, scars, and remove moles, as it offers various wavelength options. The Picolas mini MD60, on the other hand, is more focused on treating superficial pigments like freckles, sun spots, Melasma, superficial lesions, and some vascular issues like telangiectasias, as well as tattoo removal.
The fifth aspect we need to consider is skin type compatibility. The Picolas Alien is also suitable for treating darker skin tones, specifically Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI, with a low risk of thermal damage. However, when using Picolas mini MD60 to treat darker skin tones, caution is advised.
In summary, when should we prioritize choosing the Picolas Alien?
For treating stubborn tattoos, especially blue, green, and purple ones that are difficult to remove, we should prioritize the Picolas Alien. For dermal pigmented diseases like Ota’s nevus and blue nevi, which are deep-seated skin conditions. Also, if there are high demands for skin rejuvenation, stimulating collagen regeneration while minimizing thermal damage, we should prioritize the Picolas Alien. For treating acne and scars, we should also prioritize the Picolas Alien.
Similarly, the applicable scenarios for the Picolas mini MD60 mainly cater to clients with limited budgets who want to treat superficial pigments, such as superficial age spots, freckles, telangiectasias, or vascular diseases. Because the Picolas mini MD60 has a 9-nanosecond pulse width, the nanosecond level is more compatible with the absorption peak of hemoglobin, making it a good choice for treating telangiectasias or vascular lesions. Also, if the client has sensitive skin and is new to laser treatments, using Picolas mini MD60 with its lower, more controllable energy is recommended.
When choosing between a large Picolas Alien and a Picolas mini MD60 for a client, we need to comprehensively consider the type of lesion to be treated, the skin condition, the budget for the device, and the treatment goals. If the clinical focus is mainly on treating stubborn pigments or anti-aging, it is recommended to prioritize Picosecond-level devices, specifically the Picolas Alien. If the main goal is to treat superficial pigmented issues or superficial tattoo removal, a nanosecond-level device can meet the needs. Picolas’ Alien technology is more advanced, has broader indications, higher treatment efficiency and effectiveness, and is suitable for patients with high demands, but the equipment cost is relatively higher.
Picolas’ mini MD60 is a relatively economical and practical version, and can be considered a more affordable alternative to the Picolas Alien. It is suitable for basic pigmented issues and carries a certain risk of thermal damage. Therefore, during treatment, we must start with low energy and gradually increase it to adapt to the skin’s response. Alright, that concludes my presentation for today. If you have any further questions about Picolas Aliens or Picolas Mini MD60, feel free to send me a private message.
