Lasers
Pigmentation & toning
In short
Pigmentation and toning treatments pass a laser evenly over the whole face several times to gradually reduce melanin pigment, which causes melasma, dark spots and dull tone. We use 1064 nm laser toning, PicoPlus toning and 755 nm PicoSure pico toning. Most people have it without numbing cream and can wear light makeup the same day, and redness right after usually settles in about half a day. Toning is usually done every 1–2 weeks and pico toning every 2 weeks over several sessions, and the number of sessions depends on the pigment type and skin response.
| Duration | About 5–20 minutes. |
|---|---|
| Anesthesia | It is not very painful, so most treatments are done without anesthesia. |
| Recovery | Mild redness right after usually settles within half a day, and light makeup is possible from the same day. |
| Interval | The standard is every 1 week for laser toning, every 2 weeks for pico toning and every 4 weeks for IPL. |
| Recommended sessions | Toning is usually done for 10 or more sessions. |
| Equipment | PicoSure · PicoPlus · HELIOS III · Clarity II |
| Equipment list | As of 2026-10 |
How it works
When a laser fires for a very short moment, melanin pigment absorbs the light and breaks into small pieces, and as the body's immune cells clear them away, the tone gradually brightens. Picosecond (one-trillionth of a second) lasers fire much shorter pulses than nanosecond lasers to concentrate energy selectively on pigment, and 1064 nm (Nd:YAG) toning repeats low energy many times to reduce irritation to the surrounding skin. Depending on the wavelength (PicoPlus 1064 and 532 nm, PicoSure 755 nm), the size of pigment broken down most easily differs.
The device and number of sessions are decided by the type of pigment (melasma, dark spots, freckles, nevus of Ota, etc.) and its depth, along with your skin tone and response. Pigment that tends to come back, such as melasma, is treated slowly at low energy, and oral medication or melasma injections may be planned alongside if needed. For darker skin, we adjust the energy and number of sessions considering the risk of white spots (hypopigmentation).
What happens on the day
First, we identify the type of pigment (melasma, dark spots, freckles, nevus of Ota, etc.). If needed, we take photos with a Mark-Vu device to record your skin condition and compare progress.
If you have eyebrow, eyeliner or beauty-mark tattoos, we avoid those areas, so please tell us in advance. Toning and pico toning are not very painful, so most people have them without numbing cream.
The laser is passed evenly over the whole face several times. It feels like a slight sting or warmth, and if it is hard to bear, tell us right away and we will adjust the energy and speed.
The skin may be slightly red right after, but it usually settles in about half a day, and light makeup is possible from the same day. We advise not rubbing hard and applying plenty of moisturizer and sunscreen first.
Safety
Who should not have it
- We advise postponing most laser treatments during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you take acne medication (isotretinoin), tend to form keloids or have darker skin, the type of treatment and energy need to be adjusted, so please be sure to tell us before treatment.
- If your skin is red or stinging from a recent sunburn, it is better to wait until it fully settles. If you have plans with a lot of sun exposure coming up soon, such as a vacation, we suggest scheduling treatment after that, and we also postpone if the treatment area has dermatitis or a wound.
Side effects and cautions
- Dryness, tightness, itching and mild redness right after treatment are common reactions, and the redness usually settles within a few hours to about a day. With lasers that target pigment in the epidermis, spots often look darker while scabs form and then fade as the scabs fall off.
- Rarely, inflammation after a laser can make pigment darker (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, PIH), or treatment that is too strong or too frequent can cause white spots where color is lost (hypopigmentation). So we adjust the energy and number of sessions while watching your skin tone and response, and if hyperpigmentation occurs, we manage it with medication, gentle toning and sun protection. If stinging is severe, or red patches or oozing appear, contact us right away.
Aftercare and your flight home
- Apply moisturizer more often than usual and do not rub hard. Apply a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day, and for a few days avoid high-alcohol toners, vitamin ampoules, retinol and exfoliating ingredients.
- Most daily activities are possible right away, but outdoors, reapply sunscreen about every 2 hours and avoid strong sunlight. Schedule the next session 1–2 weeks later for toning and 2 weeks later for pico toning. Results build up over 2–3 months, so it is important to keep up with the planned sessions.
- After toning or pico toning, flying is usually possible the same day or the next day. With pigment lasers that cause scabs, the scabs may last 4 days to 2 weeks, so it is better to leave recovery time rather than having it right before a trip. If you are heading somewhere with strong sun, postponing until after the trip is also an option.
Cost
Fees for non-insured treatments are published on the Tones Clinic official website. Listed prices exclude VAT (10%), and the final amount is confirmed at consultation.
Questions about this treatment
Does toning hurt? Is anesthesia used?
It is not very painful, so most people have it without anesthesia; it feels like a slight sting or warmth. Pico toning may feel like a stinging snap, and if it is hard to bear, tell us right away during treatment.
Can I return to daily life right after toning?
Yes, most people can wear light makeup and return to daily life from the same day. Redness right after usually settles within a few hours to about a day, and dryness or tightness may occur, so use moisturizer and sunscreen. With lasers for dark spots and freckles that cause scabs, the scabs may last 4 days to 2 weeks.
How many toning sessions do I need, and how often?
Laser toning is usually done every 1–2 weeks and pico toning every 2 weeks over several sessions, often 10 or more. The number of sessions depends on the pigment type and skin response, and results appear gradually over 2–3 months. Zoom Pass and IPL for epidermal pigment are done every 3–4 weeks.
Can I combine toning with other treatments?
Yes, it is often planned together with skin boosters, melasma injections or oral medication. Toning targets pigment while skin boosters address texture, hydration and firmness, so their goals differ, and melasma improves slowly with laser alone, so several methods are used together. The doctor decides whether to do them on the same day and in what order based on your skin condition and the treatments.
Related treatments and guides
Visit us
- Address
- 2F 206–209, The Podium 830, 212 Achasan-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05072, Korea
- 서울특별시 광진구 아차산로 212, 2층 206~209호 (자양동, 더포디엄830) 05072
- Konkuk Univ. Station (Lines 2 & 7) · Exit 6
- Opening hours
- Mon–Fri 10:00–20:30
Sat 10:00–16:30
Closed on Sundays - As of 2026-10-30
- Phone
- +82-2-6941-1966
Photo: building entrance