Buy a Laser for Pigmentation: Which Pigment Laser Is Right for You?

Looking to buy a laser for pigmentation spots and noticing that Q-switch lasers, picosecond lasers, thulium lasers and BBL all advertise pigment treatments? That is true, but each technology works differently and suits different types of pigmentation. A pigment laser for age spots on the hands has to meet different requirements than a device you want to use to treat melasma gently. This buying guide matches the technologies to the most common pigmentation disorders, presents the suitable SIACSKIN devices with the data from their product descriptions, and shows you which monthly rate to plan for.

Not every pigment spot is the same

Before you choose a device, it is worth looking at the types of pigmentation your clients bring with them:

• Age spots and sun spots: sharply defined brown spots on the face, hands and décolleté, usually caused by years of UV exposure. They are mostly superficial (more on this: Removing age spots and sun spots).
• Freckles: small spots, often genetically determined, that get darker in summer.
• Melasma or chloasma: widespread, often symmetrical discolorations on the face. Melasma is considered difficult to treat and prone to recurrence. Heat and UV light can make it worse.
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: discoloration after inflammation, for example after acne, more common in darker skin types.
• Pigmented lesions and deep-seated pigments: darker changes, some of them lying deeper in the skin.

Unclear or changing pigmented marks should be medically assessed before any aesthetic treatment. You will find a detailed introduction to these conditions under Treating pigmentation spots, melasma and age spots.

Which technology for which type of pigmentation?

The page Picosecond laser or Q-switch explains the difference between nanosecond and picosecond, and the page BBL and IPL light treatment covers the light technology.

The devices in detail

• PICOLO S: compact Q-switch Nd:YAG with 532, 755, 1064 and 1320 nm, 1500 W, 10–2000 mJ and up to 10 Hz. According to its description, it is intended for pigmentation spots such as age spots, sun spots and melasma, plus permanent makeup removal and carbon peeling, with a 5 million shot allowance. Entry with leasing from approx. €130 per month.
• PICOLO L: Q-switch Nd:YAG with 3 ns. The 1064/532 nm zoom handpiece is used for pigment and spot removal, the collimator (parallel light) is intended for pigmentation disorders such as chloasma, and the Alex Pulse and Long Pulse modes are for deep-seated dark pigments and pigmented lesions. Spot size 2–10 mm, up to 3500 W. Leasing from approx. €690 per month.
• PICOLO XL: picosecond laser with 280 ps, 532, 755, 1064 and 1320 nm, 100–3600 mJ and 6500 W. The 755 nm honeycomb handpiece is designed for melasma, chloasma and age spots, with PTP and multi-pulse modes for pigmentation disorders and pores. Leasing from approx. €1,000 per month.
• TULIX: non-ablative fractional laser with 1927 nm thulium for melasma, hyperpigmentation, age spots and sun-damaged skin, plus 1550 nm erbium glass for scars and pores. According to its description, it is designed for all skin types and has no consumables. Leasing from approx. €600 per month.
• DERMAFORCE BBL PRO: BroadBand Light with 400–800 nm and 9 filters. The pigment filters are intended for age spots, pigmentation spots, hyperpigmentation and sun damage, with two light windows (45 × 15 mm and 30 × 12 mm) and sapphire contact cooling, with no downtime. Leasing from approx. €450 per month.

The AlexDUAL UFO also treats pigmented lesions, age spots and freckles with 755 nm alexandrite. However, it is primarily a hair removal laser.

Melasma: plan realistically

Melasma is the most demanding pigmentation disorder in practice. It is difficult to treat, tends to recur and can even get darker from too much heat. No device can promise a permanent result. What makes sense are gentle procedures with low heat exposure, several sessions with intervals between them, consistent sun protection and suitable skincare. Among the SIACSKIN devices, the descriptions of TULIX, PICOLO XL, PICOLO L and PICOLO S name melasma or chloasma as an application. Plan the treatment together with your client and document the baseline findings. You will find notes on aftercare in the Aftercare Guide and in the Aftercare collection.

Which pigment laser suits your business?

• Beauty or PMU studio with a small budget: The PICOLO S covers pigmentation spots, PMU removal and carbon peeling with one compact device.
• Studio focused on skin appearance: The DERMAFORCE BBL PRO treats widespread sun damage and redness without downtime, and the TULIX adds melasma, scars and pores.
• Tattoo removal plus pigment: The PICOLO L combines both in one device.
• Practice or clinic with a pigmentation clinic: PICOLO XL and TULIX also cover difficult pigmentation cases, often in combination. More on this under Combination treatments.

Costs as a monthly rate

Instead of purchase prices, we give example leasing rates, net, over a 60-month term: PICOLO S from approx. €130, DERMAFORCE BBL PRO from approx. €450, TULIX from approx. €600, PICOLO L from approx. €690 and PICOLO XL from approx. €1,000 per month. Financing through our house bank as leasing, hire purchase, loan or purchase, with no down payment on request and also for business start-ups, subject to credit check.

Example with assumptions: Suppose a BBL session for sun damage earns you €80 net after costs. Then roughly six sessions per month cover the example rate of approx. €450. The values are assumed. Calculate with your own figures in the price calculator.

What to look out for when buying

• Your clients' skin types: With darker skin types, the risk of pigment shifts increases. Check which wavelengths and protocols the device provides for this (Fitzpatrick skin types).
• Skin analysis before treatment: A structured analysis, such as with the Skin Analyzer Pro, helps you document the type and progression of the pigmentation.
• Follow-up costs: Ask about shot allowances, consumables and lamp replacement.
• Laser safety and qualification: In Germany, the NiSV regulates who may perform which treatment. Clarify the requirements case by case before ordering.
• Training and service: On-site training, the SIAC Akademie, a 2-year warranty and service from Düsseldorf are included with SIACSKIN.

Read more about thulium technology in the Thulium laser buying guide, and about Q-switch and picosecond in the Nd:YAG laser buying guide. Specifically on melasma: Treating melasma with laser.

View PICOLO S Calculate a leasing rate from €130/month Free consultation

Frequently asked questions

All rates net, example calculation over a 60-month term, subject to credit check. As of October 2026.