PICOLO XL: frequently asked questions about the picosecond laser
The PICOLO XL is SIACSKIN's picosecond laser for tattoo removal, pigment treatment and skin rejuvenation. Here you will find the answers to the most frequent questions before buying: wavelengths and the optional Dye-Head, 280 ps pulse duration, energy, spot sizes, modes, cooling, AI, certifications and monthly instalment.
You will also find out which treatments you can offer with the PICOLO XL, which practice or clinic it is worthwhile for, what is included in the purchase and how it differs from the Q-switched lasers PICOLO L and PICOLO S. All details are taken from SIACSKIN's device data.
Which wavelengths does the PICOLO XL have and what is the optional Dye-Head for?
The PICOLO XL works with four wavelengths: 532, 755, 1064 and 1320 nm, and an optional Dye-Head adds 585 and 650 nm. The 1064 nm wavelength is the basis for black and dark tattoo inks and for deep pigment, 532 nm for red, orange and superficial pigment spots, 755 nm for green and blue. On the PICOLO XL, 755 nm is available in a Honeycomb and a rectangular version.
The Dye-Head extends the spectrum by two intermediate wavelengths for shades that absorb the main wavelengths only weakly. Typically, 585 nm targets sky blue and 650 nm targets shades of green. It makes sense for businesses that regularly treat multicoloured tattoos.
What pulse duration and pulse energy does the PICOLO XL deliver?
The PICOLO XL works with a pulse duration of 280 picoseconds and a pulse energy of 100 to 3600 mJ, and the power of the device is stated as 6500 W. At 280 ps, the pulse is well below one nanosecond, so the pigment is shattered predominantly mechanically and heated less. The wide energy range is of practical use: you need low energies from 100 mJ for delicate areas, pigment spots and gentle toning, and high energies for large spots.
You only reach deep-seated ink if sufficient fluence arrives even with a large spot. Together with spots of 2 to 10 mm, the range of use therefore extends from fine lines to dense, large-area designs.
What spot sizes and repetition rate does the PICOLO XL have?
The spot of the PICOLO XL can be set from 2 to 10 mm and the repetition rate from 1 to 10 Hz. You need small spots for fine lines, lettering and small pigment spots. Large spots penetrate deeper because the light scatters less to the side, and they cover areas more quickly. The repetition rate determines the working speed: at 1 to 2 Hz you place individual pulses precisely, at 10 Hz you move the handpiece swiftly over larger designs or, in a carbon peel, over the entire face.
In practice, you first choose the spot to suit the design and depth, then the energy. The AI of the PICOLO XL sets the parameters automatically.
What operating modes does the PICOLO XL have and what are they used for?
The PICOLO XL has four modes: Pico, Long Pulse, PTP and Multi Pulse. Pico mode is the working mode for tattoos and pigment, in which the laser emits pulses of 280 ps. In Long Pulse mode the pulse is considerably longer, so the tissue is gently warmed rather than pigment being shattered, which is used for skin rejuvenation treatments. PTP and Multi Pulse are multi-pulse modes in which the energy is distributed across several sub-pulses.
Which mode with which settings belongs to which treatment is part of the training that is included free of charge with the purchase. In addition, the AI sets the parameters automatically.
How is the PICOLO XL cooled and do I need additional skin cooling?
The PICOLO XL has an integrated 4-fold cooling system, but additional cold air cooling is still advisable for the skin. In a pigment laser, the cooling inside the device protects the laser source and the electronics and ensures that the energy stays the same from pulse to pulse, even on long treatment days. During tattoo and pigment removal, the skin itself is best cooled with cold air: this dampens the sensation of pain and relieves burning and swelling after the session.
The KYROMASTER from SIACSKIN is the right fit for this. It cools with cold air down to minus 50 °C for pre-cooling, parallel cooling and post-treatment cooling, requires no consumables and is suitable for picosecond lasers.
Is the PICOLO XL suitable for multicoloured and deep-seated tattoos?
Yes, that is exactly what the PICOLO XL is designed for: SIACSKIN explicitly names the removal of multicoloured and deep-seated tattoos as an application. For colourful designs, what counts is the combination of several wavelengths, here 532, 755 and 1064 nm, optionally 585 and 650 nm via the Dye-Head. For depth, what counts is energy and spot size: up to 3600 mJ allows large spots of up to 10 mm with sufficient fluence, and large spots reach ink that lies deeper. The pulse duration of 280 ps breaks the pigment down finely.
Limits remain: white, yellow and skin tones respond poorly to any laser. The usual course is 4 to 8 sessions at intervals of 6 to 8 weeks, and rather fewer with picosecond pulses.
Can I treat pigmentation, age spots and melasma with the PICOLO XL?
Yes, pigmentation disorders, age spots and melasma are among the applications that SIACSKIN names for the PICOLO XL. Melanin is present in very small granules that respond well to picosecond pulses, with little heat in the surrounding tissue. Individual age spots and sun spots are treated in a targeted way with a small spot, and 1 to 3 sessions are usually enough. For melasma, the whole area is treated with 1064 nm and very low energy over several sessions, and this is where the lower limit of 100 mJ helps.
Sun protection and maintenance treatment also determine the result, especially with melasma. The Skin Analyzer Pro assesses the pigment before treatment and shows the progress in a before-and-after comparison.
Can I also offer carbon peels and skin rejuvenation with the PICOLO XL?
Yes, carbon peels, skin rejuvenation and pore refinement are listed as applications of the PICOLO XL. In a carbon peel, a carbon lotion is applied and removed with 1064 nm, a large spot and low energy, and 3 to 6 sessions every 2 to 4 weeks are usual. For skin rejuvenation, Long Pulse mode and 755 nm in the Honeycomb version are additionally available.
For you as an operator, this means that the PICOLO XL is not only busy on days with tattoo appointments. Short treatments with little downtime fill the diary between courses of tattoo treatment and bring in regular clients.
What does the AI in the PICOLO XL set automatically and what does the device document?
The SIA AI of the PICOLO XL sets the treatment parameters automatically: it takes skin type and body area into account and selects the energy accordingly. This shortens the set-up time and lowers the risk of operating errors, particularly with new members of staff. Responsibility remains with you: place a test pulse, assess the skin reaction and readjust if necessary.
The device also has a built-in client management system. It stores client data, documents the areas treated and counts the shots. At every follow-up session you can therefore see what was treated last time. For managing before-and-after images, SIACSKIN additionally offers an AI-assisted cloud platform.
For the PICOLO XL, SIACSKIN states the certifications FDA and MDR-compliant CE. CE marking under the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR) concerns the European market, and the FDA is the competent authority in the USA. This evidence matters to you for two reasons: insurers and authorities ask for it, and it shows that the device has passed through a regulated assessment procedure.
Ask for the documents together with the quotation before you buy. Who is permitted to carry out which treatment is regulated differently from country to country, and it is best to clarify this for your location before purchasing.
How much does the PICOLO XL cost and what is the monthly instalment?
The PICOLO XL is available from approx. €1,000/month, and you will find the current net price on the product page. As a guide, leasing at SIACSKIN comes to around 1% of the net price per month over a term of 60 months, plus VAT and depending on creditworthiness. Purchase, financing, leasing or hire purchase are possible, without a deposit on request and also for start-ups.
The process is simple: you make a no-obligation enquiry, SIACSKIN reviews the financing and gets back to you within 24 hours. Set your planned treatments against the instalment and you will see from how many sessions per month the device pays for itself.
What is included when buying the PICOLO XL: training, installation and warranty?
The purchase of the PICOLO XL includes comprehensive training and installation free of charge, plus a 2-year manufacturer's warranty. Installation is carried out by SIACSKIN technicians. The specialist training takes place when the device is handed over or on site at your premises, supplemented by an online training platform with video tutorials and a training certificate.
After the purchase you have lifetime support, regular maintenance is offered, and spare parts are generally available within a few days. On request, the aluminium housing is painted in your Pantone colour at no extra charge.
Which practices and clinics is the PICOLO XL worthwhile for?
The PICOLO XL is worthwhile for practices and clinics in which tattoo removal and pigment treatment are an established focus. It shows its strengths with multicoloured, deep-seated and previously treated tattoos, in other words with cases that push simpler devices to their limits. Added to this are melasma, age spots, skin rejuvenation, pores and carbon peels, so the device is also kept busy between courses of tattoo treatment.
Anyone who only occasionally lightens black tattoos or mainly offers carbon peels will find the PICOLO L or the PICOLO S more economical. Run the price calculator with your own session numbers. Who is permitted to carry out which treatment is regulated differently from country to country.
What is the difference between the PICOLO XL, the PICOLO L and the PICOLO S?
The PICOLO XL is a picosecond laser with 280 ps, while the PICOLO L and the PICOLO S are Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers in the nanosecond range. The most important difference follows from this: the PICOLO XL breaks pigment down more finely and with less heat. The specifications differ too: 100 to 3600 mJ and 6500 W for the PICOLO XL, up to 1800 mJ at 1064 nm and 3500 W for the PICOLO L, 10 to 2000 mJ and 1500 W for the PICOLO S.
In terms of wavelengths, the PICOLO XL offers 532, 755, 1064 and 1320 nm plus an optional Dye-Head, the PICOLO L 1064 and 532 nm. According to SIACSKIN, the PICOLO L is more economical with slightly more sessions, and the PICOLO S is the entry-level device.
A session consists of preparation, a few minutes of laser time and post-treatment cooling. The area is cleansed and photographed, and everyone in the room wears protective eyewear suited to the wavelength. On the PICOLO XL you select the wavelength and spot, and the AI sets the parameters to suit skin type and body area. After a test pulse, you guide the handpiece over the design pulse by pulse at 1 to 10 Hz, and the skin briefly turns whitish as you do so. A palm-sized tattoo is usually treated in a few minutes.
Cooling follows, for example with the KYROMASTER, and the area is covered with a wound-care product. The next session follows after 6 to 8 weeks.
