How the Pico laser works
The pulse lasts a picosecond — a trillionth of a second. At that speed the energy acts mechanically rather than thermally: it shatters the pigment particle into fragments small enough for the body to clear, without transferring meaningful heat into the surrounding skin. That distinction is the whole point. Older pigment lasers worked by heating, and heat is exactly what provokes melasma to come back darker.
What it improves
Melasma, which in this climate is the most common reason people come. Sun spots and the freckling that accumulates on cheekbones and hands. Post-acne marks. Dull, uneven tone with no single visible lesion. Because it works mechanically, it is one of the few pigment treatments that can be used on the skin types most lasers cannot safely treat.
Session and recovery
Fifteen to thirty minutes depending on the area, usually without numbing — the sensation is a fast snapping, over as soon as the pass ends. Skin looks slightly pink for an hour or two and darker spots may look temporarily more defined before they fade, which is the pigment rising before it clears. Make-up the next day is fine, and there is no peeling. Pigment work is a series: expect three to six sessions spaced three to four weeks apart.
Pico laser at Coconut Botox Tulum
Melasma is a condition to manage, not a stain to erase, and Aurora will frame it that way from the first visit. Sessions are paired with a home routine and a real conversation about sun, because in Tulum the treatment is only half the work — a perfect series undone by two unprotected beach days is the most common way this ends in disappointment. She will also tell you when the pigment you are pointing at is not one a laser should treat.
- Session15–30 min, usually no numbing
- DowntimeNone
- ResultsProgressive, visible after 2–3 sessions
- Protocol3–6 sessions, 3–4 weeks apart
Safety, side effects and aftercare
What to expect
Light pinkness for an hour or two. Treated spots often darken slightly for three to seven days before flaking away — that is the expected sequence, not a reaction. Occasional mild swelling on thin skin such as the eyelid area.
When we don't treat
Not performed on freshly tanned or sunburnt skin, during pregnancy, over active infection or cold sores, or while on isotretinoin. Any pigmented lesion that looks atypical is not lasered at all — it is referred to a dermatologist for evaluation first, because treating a lesion that should have been assessed can hide something that matters.
Aftercare
SPF 50 every day, reapplied, and no direct tanning during the series — this single point determines whether the result holds. Gentle cleansing, no acids or retinol for three days, and do not scrub the darkened spots while they are lifting.
This page is general information, not a medical assessment. Your suitability is evaluated in person during your complimentary consultation, where we review your history and current medication. Anything requiring medical evaluation is referred to the appropriate healthcare professional.
Investment
PriceFrom $2,500 MXN per session (~$145 USD)
The final figure is set during your consultation, once the areas and quantities you actually need are assessed — the consultation itself is complimentary. Cash (MXN or USD) and card accepted. The USD figure is a reference and moves with the exchange rate.
Frequently asked questions
Will my melasma come back?
It can, because melasma is a chronic condition driven by sun and hormones rather than a stain that gets removed once. The laser clears what is there; sun protection and maintenance decide how long it stays clear.
Is it safe on my skin tone?
In most cases yes — that is the main advantage of picosecond pulses over older heat-based lasers. Your phototype is still assessed at the consultation and settings are adjusted for it.
Can I keep going to the beach during treatment?
You can be outdoors, but not tanning, and not without reapplied SPF 50. If the trip is built around sunbathing, it is more sensible to start the series afterwards than to undo each session.
How many sessions until I see something?
Most people notice a change after the second or third session. Deep or long-standing melasma takes the full series and a maintenance plan.