Hello.
I am Director Bo-hwang Jeong of Cleor Clinic Gangnam.
Many people recognize Pico Toning primarily as a facial pigmentation treatment.
However, I often hear these concerns in the consultation room.
"I take care of my face, but my underarms are getting darker."
"My knees and elbows have darkened, making it uncomfortable to wear short clothing."
"After hair removal, it feels like the pigmentation in that area has become even darker."
Pigmentation does not only occur on the face.
Any area on the body subject to repeated irritation
will darken just the same.
Today, for those looking into Gangnam Pico Toning,
I will provide an honest guide covering everything from facial pigmentation care to its use as a body toning laser.
I will speak candidly.
The Real Reason Pigmentation Occurs
Darkening of the skin is not a coincidence.
Three factors work together to cause these marks.
1) Cumulative UV Exposure
This is the primary cause of facial pigmentation.
When exposed to UV rays, melanocytes produce pigment to protect the skin;
however, repeated exposure to the same area
causes melanin to accumulate, leading to melasma, blemishes, and freckles.
2) Friction and Irritation
This is the leading cause of body pigmentation.
Underarms are affected by irritation from clothing, hair removal, and sweat.
Elbows and knees are affected by pressure and friction from kneeling or leaning on one's chin.
The groin and bikini line experience cumulative friction from waxing and tight underwear,
leading to melanin deposition in those areas.
To put it simply,
it is like how dirt first appears on the knees of white sneakers;
marks form first on areas with frequent contact.
3) Hormonal Changes and Inflammation
Hormonal changes such as pregnancy, birth control, or menopause,
and chronic inflammation like acne, atopy, or eczema,
commonly cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Because the causes are diverse,
improvements from creams or whitening cosmetics often feel slow.
This is when a procedure that directly reaches the depth where the pigment is settled becomes necessary.
What is Gangnam Pico Toning?
Gangnam Pico Toning is
a pigmentation treatment using a laser that irradiates in picoseconds (one-trillionth of a second).
It is a pigmentation care procedure.
While conventional laser toning operates in nanoseconds (one-billionth of a second),
picoseconds are approximately 1,000 times faster.
Why Irradiation Speed Matters
Delivering energy over a longer period
transfers heat not only to the pigment but also to the surrounding skin tissue.
Cumulative heat can actually worsen pigmentation
or place undue stress on the skin.
Pico Toning delivers intense energy instantaneously in a short burst,
precisely breaking down only the pigment while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.
The finer the broken-down pigment particles,
the easier they are naturally discharged through the body's metabolism.
Facial Indications
Melasma, blemishes, freckles
Age spots, Nevus of Ota
Post-acne hyperpigmentation
Improving dull skin tone
Pore and texture refinement (Focus Mode)
Body Indications
Underarm pigmentation (hair removal, friction, sweat)
Elbow and knee hyperpigmentation
Groin and bikini line pigmentation
Ankle bone and buttock pigmentation
Back and chest acne marks
The same device is used by adjusting the intensity and mode according to the area.
Why Gangnam Pico Toning is Increasingly Used as a Body Toning Laser
Recently, there has been a significant increase in patients inquiring about body areas in the consultation room.
While people tend to care for their faces with sunscreen and whitening products,
many areas on the body are difficult to manage.
1) Areas Unresponsive to Whitening Creams
Areas like the underarms, elbows, and knees
have thick skin and ongoing keratinization,
making it difficult for cream ingredients to reach the deeper layers.
The 1064nm wavelength of Pico Toning reacts well to melanin,
allowing it to reach pigment layers that surface-level care could not.
2) Supplementary Use for Post-Hair Removal Hyperpigmentation
After receiving laser hair removal,
it is not uncommon for pigmentation to darken in those areas.
This is hyperpigmentation caused by cumulative friction and irritation,
a category where Pico Toning can be considered for refinement.
3) Care for Bikini and Body Line Exposure
Before summer, weddings, or vacation seasons,
those who anticipate exposing areas that are usually covered
often begin refinement with body toning lasers.
Body care is a type of treatment where cumulative sessions are recommended,
so it is best to start in advance by calculating backward from your schedule.
4) Non-invasive Procedure with Minimal Recovery Burden
Even for body treatments, it is non-invasive,
allowing for an immediate return to daily life.
5) Simultaneous Refinement of Face and Body
It is possible to treat both facial and body pigmentation
on the same day using the same device.
The procedure is performed by adjusting the intensity and mode for each area.
Recommended Number of Sessions and Intervals per Area
While changes can be seen after a single Pico Toning session,
cumulative treatments are recommended for deep-seated pigment.
Facial Pigmentation (Melasma, Blemishes, Tone)
5–10 sessions recommended at 2–4 week intervals
(Varies by individual pigment depth)
Body Pigmentation (Underarms, Knees, Elbows)
5–10 sessions recommended at 3–4 week intervals
Since the skin is thicker, more sessions are often required compared to the face.
Areas with dark or long-standing pigmentation
may require 10 or more sessions.
We will provide guidance on the recommended number of sessions after a direct assessment during the initial consultation.
Pain Level of Gangnam Body Pico Toning
Facial toning is relatively low-irritation, to the point where many
can undergo the procedure without numbing cream.
If body pigmentation is dark, numbing cream is applied before the procedure.
While the recovery burden is low, please manage the area gently for a few days.
⚠️ Precautions
Sun Protection
For a few days after the procedure, melanocytes are more sensitive than usual.
Please apply sunscreen thoroughly.
For body treatment areas, use physical barriers like clothing or a parasol
when going out.
Moisturizing Care
With soothing and regenerative creams,
please manage the area gently for a few days.
Reducing Heat Irritation
Avoid saunas, hot stone rooms, intense exercise, and alcohol on the day of the procedure.
An increase in body temperature can prolong redness and irritation.
Reducing Irritation
Products like scrubs, peels, or acidic toners
are safer to stop using for about a week.
Managing Friction on Body Treatment Areas
For areas prone to frequent friction, such as the underarms and groin,
it is best to avoid tight clothing for a few days.
Please refrain from hair removal for a certain period after the procedure.
Temporary Symptoms
There may be slight redness and mild stinging,
and in areas with dark pigment, thin scabs may form and naturally fall off.
Please do not pick at the scabs; wait for them to fall off naturally.
When to Visit the Clinic Immediately
If persistent pain, blisters, oozing,
or intense redness lasts for more than a few days,
please visit the clinic immediately for an evaluation.
Who We Recommend Pico Toning For
For Facial Care
Those whose melasma, blemishes, and freckles are becoming more distinct
Those whose skin tone has become dull due to UV exposure
Those with lingering post-acne pigmentation
Those who do not see significant changes from whitening cosmetics
For Body Care
Those concerned about underarm pigmentation
Those with darkened pigment on elbows and knees
Those with darkened color in the groin or bikini line
Those who experienced darkening of pigment after hair removal
Those preparing for a season of increased skin exposure
Cases Requiring Prior Consultation
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
If you have a history of inflammation or herpes in the treatment area
If you are taking photosensitizing medication
If you have a keloid-prone skin type
If you have recently had intense UV exposure or a peeling procedure
If there are moles in the treatment area with suspicious changes in color or shape
Since the procedure may not be suitable depending on skin condition and medication history, we will verify this during the initial consultation.
Advantages of Pico Toning
Minimal damage to surrounding tissue due to picosecond-level irradiation
Applicable to a wide range of areas from the face to the body
Short procedure time and minimal recovery burden
Immediate return to daily life after the procedure
Expectation of improved tone and texture with cumulative sessions
Points to Note
Not all pigment fades with a single treatment,
so it is a type of care where cumulative sessions are recommended.
Neglecting sun protection can quickly diminish the effects,
so post-procedure UV management is crucial.
If friction and irritation continue in the treated area,
pigmentation may return to the same area,
so lifestyle management must be maintained.
Melasma is a pigment sensitive to heat irritation,
so adjusting the intensity is key to the results.
We will assess this directly during the initial consultation.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is there a difference between body Pico Toning and facial treatment?
The same device is used, but the intensity and mode vary depending on the area.
Since body skin is thicker and pigment is often deep-seated,
a higher number of cumulative sessions is typically recommended compared to the face.
Q. How much change can be seen after one session?
For light blemishes, some patients notice a clearer skin tone after 1–2 sessions.
For long-standing melasma or body pigmentation,
the degree of change often becomes more apparent after 5–10 cumulative sessions.
Q. What is the pain level?
Facial toning is relatively low-irritation, to the point where many can undergo it without numbing cream.
If body pigmentation is dark, numbing cream is applied before the procedure.
Q. Will it interfere with going to work the next day?
You can return to daily life immediately after the procedure.
Slight redness often subsides within a few hours, and makeup can be applied naturally the next day.
Q. Can I receive both facial and body treatments on the same day?
If the areas and intensities are appropriate, they can be performed on the same day.
We will provide guidance on the treatment plan during the initial consultation.
Q. Will the pigmentation return?
Once broken down, pigment particles do not return;
however, if irritation from UV exposure, hormonal changes, or friction continues,
pigmentation can re-form in the same area.
Sun protection and friction management are key to maintaining results.
Q. What are the potential side effects?
Temporary redness, slight swelling, thin scabs, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) may occur.
Rarely, changes such as blisters, scarring, or hypopigmentation have been reported, making the initial consultation and post-procedure follow-up important.
Pigmentation does not only settle on the face.
There comes a time when areas you don't usually notice, such as the underarms, knees, elbows, and groin,
suddenly start to bother you.
If changes from whitening creams have felt slow,
a procedure that reaches the depth where the pigment is settled
can be a faster path.
Gangnam Pico Toning is a pigmentation treatment that can be used for everything from facial care to body toning
by adjusting the intensity and mode for each area.
We will assess this directly during your consultation.
If you are concerned about facial or body pigmentation,
please feel free to contact Cleor Clinic Gangnam.
※ This content is for general informational purposes, and results may vary by individual.
Please determine the exact diagnosis and suitability for the procedure through a consultation with a specialist.