Prep Before & After Your PicoWay® Session: A Complete Guide

Getting a PicoWay® treatment isn't just about showing up for the appointment. What you do in the days before and after your session has a real impact on how well your results hold — something we've seen firsthand in our own patients' journeys. Here's what actually matters.

Before Your Session

1-2 weeks before:

• Avoid direct sun exposure and tanning on the treatment area. Sunburned or freshly tanned skin is more reactive to laser energy and increases the risk of uneven results.
• Stop using retinoids, exfoliating acids (AHA/BHA), or other active skincare ingredients on the treatment area, unless your doctor advises otherwise — these can make skin more sensitive during treatment.
• Avoid other laser or energy-based treatments on the same area to give your skin a clean baseline.

On the day:

• Come with clean skin — no makeup, sunscreen, or skincare products on the treatment area.
• Avoid caffeine or alcohol beforehand if you're prone to sensitivity, as they can slightly increase skin reactivity.
• Let your doctor know about any medications (especially blood thinners) or recent sun exposure — this affects the settings used.

After Your Session

First 24-72 hours:

• Mild redness, slight swelling, or pinpoint scabbing (depending on treatment area and settings) is normal and part of the healing process.
• Keep the area clean and avoid picking at any scabbing — this is the single most common cause of scarring after laser treatment, not the laser itself.
• Apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer or the aftercare product your clinic recommends.
• Avoid makeup on the treated area for at least 24 hours, or until any surface reaction settles.

The first 2 weeks:

• Sun protection is non-negotiable. This is the single biggest factor in whether your results last. Broad-spectrum SPF 50, reapplied every 2-3 hours if you're outdoors, is essential — not optional.
• Avoid saunas, hot yoga, or activities that cause excessive sweating on the treated area for the first few days.
• Avoid swimming pools (chlorine) and the sea (salt, sun, UV) until fully healed.
• Skip other active skincare (retinoids, strong exfoliants) until your skin has settled, usually 1-2 weeks.

Why This Matters More Than People Think

Pigment doesn't just disappear permanently after one good session — especially with recurring or sun-related pigmentation. We've seen this directly in our own patients: a sunspot can clear beautifully by session 3, only to start reappearing weeks later if sun protection and aftercare aren't kept consistent. The laser does its job; what happens afterward determines whether that result actually sticks.

If you have a sun-heavy trip or event coming up, tell your clinic before starting treatment — sessions and aftercare can be planned around it, rather than working against it.

Have questions about prepping for your first PicoWay® session? Book a consultation →