PICOLO L and PICOLO S: frequently asked questions about the Q-switched lasers
PICOLO L and PICOLO S are SIACSKIN's Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers for tattoo removal, pigment spots and the carbon peel. Both work with pulses in the nanosecond range. Here you will find the answers to the most frequent questions before buying: wavelengths, energy, modes, applications, service life and monthly instalment.
The page also shows how the PICOLO L and the entry-level device PICOLO S differ, which model suits which business and when the step up to the PICOLO XL picosecond laser is worthwhile. All details are taken from SIACSKIN's device data.
What is the difference between the PICOLO L and the PICOLO S?
The PICOLO L is the larger model for regular use, the PICOLO S the entry-level device. Both are Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers in the nanosecond range. The PICOLO L operates at 3500 W, delivers up to 1800 mJ at 1064 nm and up to 500 mJ at 532 nm, has spots of 2 to 10 mm, six modes including Genesis and Long Pulse, and cooling by water, air and compressor.
The PICOLO S is specified with 1500 W, 10 to 2000 mJ, five probes and 5 million shots. Its monthly instalment is well below that of the PICOLO L, and it is intended for businesses starting out with a manageable treatment volume.
No, the PICOLO L and the PICOLO S are Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers and work with pulses in the nanosecond range. The name PICOLO refers to the device family, not the pulse duration. SIACSKIN explicitly describes the PICOLO L as a Q-switched laser without pico components. The picosecond laser in the series is the PICOLO XL with 280 ps.
In practice this is not a shortcoming but a question of use. Nanosecond pulses reliably break down black and dark tattoo ink, pigment spots and the carbon particles in a carbon peel, and the devices are considerably less expensive. Picosecond pulses offer advantages above all with multicoloured, deep-seated and previously treated tattoos.
What wavelengths do the PICOLO L and PICOLO S have?
The PICOLO L works with 1064 and 532 nm, while 532, 755, 1064 and 1320 nm are specified for the PICOLO S. The fundamental wavelength of the Nd:YAG laser is 1064 nm. It penetrates deep, is absorbed only slightly by skin pigment and is the choice for black and dark tattoo inks, deep pigment and carbon peels. The 532 nm wavelength is produced by frequency doubling and targets red, orange and light shades as well as superficial pigment spots.
For the PICOLO S, 755 and 1320 nm are additionally specified, and 755 nm is generally regarded as the wavelength for green and blue shades. The device comes with five probes. With the PICOLO L, SIACSKIN concentrates on the two main wavelengths and combines them with 3500 W of power and six modes.
How much energy and power do the PICOLO L and PICOLO S deliver?
The PICOLO L delivers up to 1800 mJ at 1064 nm and up to 500 mJ at 532 nm per pulse, and the PICOLO S is specified with 10 to 2000 mJ. The power is 3500 W for the PICOLO L and 1500 W for the PICOLO S, and both operate at up to 10 Hz. On the PICOLO L the spot can be set from 2 to 10 mm. You need high energy so that even a large spot delivers enough fluence for deep-seated ink, and low energy for carbon peels and pigment.
For long treatment days the PICOLO L has cooling by water, air and compressor. You additionally cool the skin with the KYROMASTER, which is suitable for Nd:YAG lasers.
The PICOLO L has six modes: STP, PTP, Multi Pulse, Genesis, Alex Pulse and Long Pulse. This takes it beyond pure tattoo removal. Short Q-switched pulses in the nanosecond range shatter tattoo ink and pigment, and in the multi-pulse modes the energy is distributed over several sub-pulses. SIACSKIN specifies the Genesis mode for skin rejuvenation. In Long Pulse mode the pulse is considerably longer, and the tissue is gently heated instead of pigment being shattered.
Which mode with which settings belongs to which treatment is something you learn in the training, which is included free of charge with the purchase. In addition, the SIA AI sets skin type, body area and energy automatically.
With the PICOLO L you can offer tattoo removal, the treatment of pigmentation disorders such as melasma, chloasma and age spots, carbon peels, skin rejuvenation in Genesis mode, and treatments for pores and acne scars. Here 1064 nm is the wavelength for black and dark tattoos, deep pigment and carbon peels, and 532 nm for red and orange ink and superficial pigment spots.
For the business this means: one device, several sources of revenue. Tattoo courses run for months, while carbon peels and treatments for skin appearance bring short appointments in quick succession. Who is allowed to carry out which treatment is regulated differently from country to country.
The PICOLO S is specified for tattoo removal, pigment spots such as melasma, age spots and sun spots, carbon peels, acne scars and the improvement of skin texture. SIACSKIN lists the wavelengths as 532, 755, 1064 and 1320 nm, and the energy ranges from 10 to 2000 mJ at up to 10 Hz. The entry-level device thus covers the same basic applications as the larger models.
The limits lie in volume and in difficult cases: dense, multicoloured professional tattoos need more sessions with nanosecond pulses. For smaller tattoos, lightening before a cover-up and carbon peels, the PICOLO S is appropriately sized.
Are the PICOLO S and PICOLO L suitable for carbon peels, and which model is sufficient?
Yes, both models list carbon peels as an application, and a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm is the standard tool for this. The carbon lotion is removed with a large spot, low energy and a high repetition rate, and both devices operate at up to 10 Hz. A session takes 20 to 30 minutes, and 3 to 6 sessions every 2 to 4 weeks are usual.
Which model is right depends on utilisation. The PICOLO S is sufficient for getting started with a manageable treatment volume. With a full diary, the PICOLO L with 3500 W and cooling by water, air and compressor is the more suitable choice, especially as it also covers tattoo and pigment treatments on a larger scale.
How long does the PICOLO S last, and what do 5 million shots mean?
The PICOLO S is specified for 5 million shots, which is enough for several years of entry-level operation. A shot is a single laser pulse. A small tattoo session often needs only a few hundred pulses, a carbon peel for the whole face a few thousand. Even at 3000 pulses per treatment, that would work out at over 1600 treatments.
The client management system in the device keeps count of the shots. This lets you keep track of the status and calculate the cost per treatment. If you foresee many treatments every day, talk to SIACSKIN before buying about whether the PICOLO L is a better fit for your volume.
Do the PICOLO L and PICOLO S have AI and a client management system?
Yes, the PICOLO L and the PICOLO S come with the SIA AI and a client management system. The SIA AI sets skin type, body area and energy automatically. This shortens set-up time and helps beginners avoid typical operating errors. You still assess the skin reaction after the test pulse yourself and readjust if necessary.
The client management system stores client data, documents the treated areas and counts the shots. With tattoo courses lasting many months, you can see at a glance what was treated in the last session. The housing is made of aluminium and, on request, is painted in your Pantone colour at no extra charge; the PICOLO S is also available in black and white.
How many sessions should I plan for with the PICOLO L and PICOLO S?
For tattoos, 4 to 8 sessions at intervals of 6 to 8 weeks are often needed with the PICOLO L and the PICOLO S, and usually fewer for pigment spots. For carbon peels, 3 to 6 sessions every 2 to 4 weeks are planned. How many it takes in an individual case depends on colour, amount of ink, depth of placement, body site and skin type. Black, older and lightly applied tattoos fade fastest. Compared with the PICOLO XL picosecond laser, according to SIACSKIN you should expect slightly more sessions with the PICOLO L.
Say this openly in the consultation and record the progress with photos. A realistic range instead of a fixed number saves you discussions later.
Who is the PICOLO S the right entry-level device for?
The PICOLO S suits businesses that are adding tattoo lightening, pigment treatment and carbon peels to their range and are still building up demand. With an instalment from approx. €130 per month, it is SIACSKIN's entry-level device. Typical uses are smaller black tattoos, lightening before a cover-up, individual pigment spots and carbon peels as a course of treatment. In the price calculator you can see how many treatments cover the instalment.
It is less suitable if tattoo appointments are scheduled daily from the outset or many multicoloured designs come in. In that case the PICOLO L or the PICOLO XL is a better fit. Who is allowed to carry out which treatment is regulated differently from country to country.
For which businesses is the PICOLO L a better choice than the PICOLO S?
The PICOLO L is worthwhile when tattoo and pigment treatments are in the diary regularly and not just occasionally. With 3500 W, cooling by water, air and compressor, and spots of 2 to 10 mm, it offers more reserves for long treatment days. Added to this are six modes including Genesis and Long Pulse, with which you cover skin rejuvenation, pores and acne scars in addition to tattoos.
SIACSKIN describes the PICOLO L as the more economical alternative to the PICOLO XL, with slightly more sessions. The PICOLO S remains the right choice if you are just starting out with a small volume.
When is it worth moving up from the PICOLO L or PICOLO S to the PICOLO XL?
The move to the PICOLO XL is worthwhile when tattoo removal becomes your main focus and you regularly reach the limits of nanosecond technology. Signs of this: many multicoloured designs, tattoos that hardly get any lighter after several sessions, full waiting lists and clients who ask specifically for a picosecond laser. The PICOLO XL works with 280 ps, up to 3600 mJ and four wavelengths plus an optional Dye-Head.
Your PICOLO L or PICOLO S can then continue to run for carbon peels and straightforward cases and take the load off the picosecond laser. You can work out with your session numbers in the price calculator whether the higher instalment is sustainable.
How much do the PICOLO L and PICOLO S cost, and how high are the monthly instalments?
The PICOLO L is available from approx. €690 per month, the PICOLO S from approx. €130 per month. The current net prices are shown on the product pages. As a guide, SIACSKIN leasing works out at around 1% of the net price per month over a term of 60 months, plus VAT and subject to credit status. Purchase, financing, leasing or hire purchase are possible, with no deposit if desired and also for business start-ups.
The purchase includes installation by SIACSKIN technicians and comprehensive training, plus a 2-year manufacturer's warranty. SIACSKIN will respond to a no-obligation enquiry within 24 hours.
