DEKA TORO laser handpiece reviewed at the DEKA Centre of Excellence, Singapore
Pico Laser · DEKA TORO Platform · Orchard Road, Singapore

Pico Laser Singapore — T2 Frax Radiance

Medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong · Last reviewed 7 October 2026 · 18 min read · Doctor-performed, never delegated · Jump to questions

Dr Sin Yong · MBBS (NUS) · MRCS (Edin) · MSc Aesthetic Medicine with Distinction (Queen Mary, London) · MSc Practical Dermatology (Cardiff) · International KOL

A pico laser protocol built on the DEKA TORO platform. Two emission modes, two targets: picosecond delivery at 785 nm for tone and pigmentation, and a longer thermal pulse for tightening. Calibrated for Asian skin.

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A pico laser is used to make enlarged pores look less visible, but it does not make them smaller or stop oil production. Picosecond pulses act mainly on pigment; pores and texture depend on a dermal collagen response. T2 Frax Radiance, Dr Sin Yong's protocol on the DEKA TORO, pairs 785 nm picosecond toning with a thermal mode.

Key takeaways
  • T2 Frax Radiance is Dr Sin Yong's protocol on the DEKA TORO, pairing picosecond pigment toning with a thermal tightening mode.
  • It is directed at pigment, uneven tone, and the look of pores, texture and mild laxity.
  • The picosecond mode fragments pigment photoacoustically with little heat spread; it does not shrink pores or stop oil production.
  • Suitability depends on pigment depth, skin type and cause; melasma behaves differently and is assessed individually.
  • Dr Sin Yong, an aesthetic physician, plans and performs the treatment personally.
On this page
  1. The Two Halves of the Name
  2. Tone — What a Pico Laser Actually Does to Pigment
  3. Tighten — the Half Most Pico Protocols Leave Out
  4. The Platform — DEKA TORO
  5. T2 Frax Radiance or R2 Glow?
  6. Pico Laser, Q-Switched, or CO 2 ?
  7. Pico laser for pores and texture: what it can and cannot do
  8. Who it suits, who should wait, who is referred on
  9. What happens, step by step
  10. Risks, side effects and when to call
  11. Aftercare
  12. Before you book
  13. What determines the fee
  14. Myths we hear in clinic
  15. T2 Frax Radiance & Pico Laser — Frequently Asked Questions
  16. Related Pages

The Two Halves of the Name

Key facts
Platform
DEKA TORO, Q-switched Nd:YAG
Wavelengths
785 nm picosecond; 532 nm and 1064 nm nanosecond
Repetition rate
Up to 20 Hz
Tone mechanism
Photoacoustic — pigment fragmented mechanically, not thermally
Tighten mechanism
Thermal mode, longer pulse, dermal collagen response
Suited to
Fitzpatrick III–V, where thermal load risks post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Most pico laser treatment protocols do one job. They act on pigment. That is what picosecond delivery is built for, and it is what patients usually arrive asking about.

T2 Frax Radiance is built around the observation that the platform it runs on can do something else as well — and that the two jobs are worth doing together rather than in separate appointments.

Tone is the pigment half. Tighten is the collagen half. They use different emission modes, work at different depths, and answer different complaints. The protocol is designed so that a single session can address both, with the balance between them set at consultation rather than fixed in advance.

Tone — What a Pico Laser Actually Does to Pigment

The mechanism is worth understanding, because everything clinical follows from it.

A picosecond pulse lasts a trillionth of a second. That is short enough that the pulse is finished before meaningful heat can conduct into the surrounding tissue. Instead of burning pigment, it generates a rapid pressure wave that fragments pigment particles mechanically — a photoacoustic effect rather than a photothermal one.

Why that matters here is specific to the skin in front of you. In Fitzpatrick III to V phototypes — the range most common in Singapore — there is more melanin available to absorb stray energy. Thermal load in that setting carries a real risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: the skin responding to injury by producing more of exactly the pigment you set out to reduce. A mechanism that does its work before heat has time to spread changes that calculation.

On the TORO platform the tone work is delivered at 785 nm in picosecond mode, a wavelength suited to both epidermal and dermal pigment. The platform also carries 532 nm and 1064 nm nanosecond emissions, which extend the range of what can be addressed.

What it is used for: underarm pigmentation — see underarm treatment — sun-induced pigmentation, melasma treatment in Singapore, post-inflammatory change, and general unevenness of tone. As laser treatment for pigmentation it acts on deposited melanin rather than on the process producing it. What it is not: a single-pass erasure. Pigment sitting in the epidermis behaves quite differently from pigment in the dermis, and melasma behaves differently again.

“Depth is the variable that matters, not brightness.”

Dr Sin YongOn choosing between pico and CO2
Abstract illustration of skin layers in amber tones with columns of light
Fractional and toning lasers act on different layers for different reasons.

Tighten — the Half Most Pico Protocols Leave Out

The same platform carries a thermal mode: a longer pulse duration, which behaves in an entirely different way from the picosecond emission.

Where the picosecond pulse avoids heat, the thermal pulse uses it deliberately. Controlled warming in the dermis provokes a collagen response — the tissue contracts under heat and then remodels over the weeks that follow. That is the tightening half of the protocol, and it addresses laxity and surface texture rather than colour.

Running both within one protocol has a practical logic to it. The complaints patients actually present with are rarely single. Someone troubled by uneven tone is frequently troubled by slackness and texture as well, and treating one while ignoring the other tends to produce a partial result that looks like nothing much has changed.

The Platform — DEKA TORO

T2 Frax Radiance runs on the DEKA TORO, a Q-switched Nd:YAG system from the Italian manufacturer DEKA. Dr Sin Yong is an International Key Opinion Leader for DEKA, and his practice is a certified DEKA Centre of Excellence.

The specifications that matter to the protocol:

  • Three wavelengths — 785 nm in the picosecond range, plus 532 nm and 1064 nm nanosecond emissions.
  • Picosecond and nanosecond in one system — the protocol can move between mechanisms within a session rather than being locked to one.
  • Thermal mode — a longer-duration pulse, which is what makes the tightening half possible on the same platform.
  • Repetition rate up to 20 Hz — a specification, not a promise. It governs how quickly pulses can be laid down over a treatment field.
  • Spot sizes from 2 mm to 6 mm, with a beam profile designed for even energy distribution across the spot.

DEKA states that the 785 nm picosecond emission was engineered particularly with Fitzpatrick III to V phototypes in mind, including Asian skin.

“Pigment already deposited is a deposit. Inflammation is what keeps producing it.”

Dr Sin YongOn treating upstream or downstream

T2 Frax Radiance or R2 Glow?

Both protocols are directed at brighter-looking skin. They arrive there by different routes, and the difference decides which one suits you.

T2 Frax Radiance targets pigment. Picosecond delivery fragments pigment particles that have already been deposited — it works downstream, on the deposit.

R2 Glow targets inflammation. Low-grade inflammatory activity stimulates melanocytes and produces background erythema; calming it removes a driver of dull, uneven tone. It works upstream, on the cause.

少女光 targets the collagen scaffold deeper again — at the reticular dermis — for redness, pores and laxity.

Which is right depends on whether what you are seeing is pigment that is present, pigment that keeps being produced, or a structural change in the dermis. In some presentations more than one applies. That is a question for examination, and they are not interchangeable.

Pico Laser, Q-Switched, or CO2?

Patients frequently arrive having read about several and wanting to know which is better. The more useful question is which mechanism suits which presentation.

  • Pico laser — picosecond pulses, photoacoustic. Pigment work, with the thermal risk profile that suits darker phototypes.
  • Q-switched nanosecond — the same photoacoustic principle over a longer pulse, carrying more heat alongside it. Still the right tool for certain pigment depths and tattoo work.
  • Fractional CO2 — ablative. It creates controlled columns of thermal injury so tissue remodels as it heals. Built for texture and scarring, not for pigment.

None of these replaces another. A considered plan may draw on more than one, and which applies to you is decided by examination rather than by preference for a device.

References

DEKA M.E.L.A. TORO product specifications — wavelengths, pulse modes and repetition rate. dekalaser.com

Pico laser for pores and texture: what it can and cannot do

A pico laser is used to make pores look less visible and texture finer, but it does not make a pore smaller, close it or switch off oil production. How much it helps depends on why the pores look large in the first place.

Pores look enlarged for several reasons: oil output, which is largely hormonal and inherited; loss of the collagen that supports the pore wall with age and sun exposure; and uneven texture or shallow scarring that catches the light around them. Picosecond pulses on their own act mainly on pigment, so in pore work the useful effect comes from a response in the dermis. Some systems create it with a fractional lens; in T2 Frax Radiance, the thermal mode of the DEKA TORO provides the collagen response, while picosecond toning addresses the uneven tone that often makes pores more noticeable.

What it cannot do is release deep, tethered acne scars, control heavy oil production or correct sagging that stretches pores into an elongated shape. Those may suit RF microneedling, fractional CO2 or lifting, and medical skincare such as a retinoid is often part of the plan. Which applies is decided by examination.

Laser and energy options for pores, texture and pigment, compared
OptionWhat it doesWhat it cannot doTypical recoveryWho it tends to suit
T2 Frax Radiance (DEKA TORO picosecond and thermal modes)785 nm picosecond pulses fragment pigment; a longer thermal pulse heats the dermis to prompt a collagen responseMake pores smaller, release deep scars or lift descended tissueRedness that settles; darkening or fine crusting over treated pigmentUneven tone with dull texture or early laxity, in Fitzpatrick III to V skin
Q-switched nanosecond laserLonger nanosecond pulses act on pigment with more heat alongsideAddress pore size or laxityRedness, with occasional darkening over treated spotsCertain pigment depths and tattoo ink
Non-ablative fractional laser (FSX Laser, 1540 nm and 1927 nm)Heats narrow columns of dermis for collagen remodelling, while 1927 nm acts on superficial pigment and textureRemove tissue or treat deep tethered scarsRedness; occasionally fine scabbing in treated zonesEnlarged pores, fine lines, superficial scars and uneven tone
RF microneedlingFine needles deliver radiofrequency heat into the dermis around pores and scarsTreat pigment directlyRedness and small marks that settleEnlarged pores, rough texture and shallow acne scars
Fractional CO2 resurfacing (S3 Resurfacing)Ablative columns of tissue are removed to rebuild dermal collagenAvoid visible recovery; it is not a pigment treatmentRedness, crusting and peeling that settleDeeper acne scars and etched texture

Who it suits, who should wait, who is referred on

Tends to suit

  • Sun-induced or post-inflammatory pigmentation
  • Uneven tone alongside texture or mild slackness
  • Pores that look prominent because of pigment or texture
  • Fitzpatrick III to V skin, where heat load needs care

Better to wait

  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • A recent tan or sunburn, or active infection in the area
  • Recent isotretinoin

Referred on

  • A pigmented lesion that is changing or looks unusual → dermatology assessment
  • Heavy laxity beyond what energy can address → surgical assessment
Who should not have this treatment
  • Pregnancy
  • Active infection, cold sore or open wound in the treatment area
  • Recent isotretinoin use
  • Photosensitising medication or recent strong sun exposure
  • A tendency to keloid or abnormal scarring
  • A pigmented lesion that has not been assessed

People hoping for physically smaller pores, treatment of deep acne scars, or lasting change while sun exposure or irritation continues tend to respond poorly, and a different tool or a plan addressing the cause suits them better.

What happens, step by step

  1. Consultation and skin examination, including pigment depth and skin type
  2. Written plan and quote, with the balance between tone and tightening set after assessment
  3. Treatment day: picosecond and, where planned, thermal passes delivered at conservative settings
  4. Review and adjustment of settings and next steps

Risks, side effects and when to call

Redness, warmth, mild swelling and a temporary darkening or flaking of treated pigment are expected effects. Less commonly, a laser can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, patchy lightening, blistering, infection, or scarring, and a cold sore can be reactivated. The risk of pigment worsening is real in Fitzpatrick III to V skin, which is why settings are chosen conservatively and the thermal mode is used deliberately rather than by default. Melasma can flare after any laser. Response varies, and no outcome can be promised.

Contact the clinic the same day if
  • Blistering, crusting or broken skin
  • Pain, swelling or redness that is increasing rather than settling
  • Pigment that is darkening or spreading after the skin has healed
  • Pus, discharge or fever
  • A cold sore or tingling blisters appearing near the area

See what to do if something feels wrong after a treatment.

Aftercare

First 24 hours

  • Expect redness and warmth; cool the skin gently and use only a bland moisturiser
  • Avoid make-up, saunas, hot showers and strenuous exercise until the skin has settled

First week

  • Do not pick, scrub or exfoliate treated areas, including any flaking or darkened pigment
  • Use gentle cleansing and moisturising products only

Sun

  • Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen every day and avoid direct sun and tanning
  • Wear a hat or seek shade outdoors

Skincare

  • Hold retinoids, acids and lightening agents until you are told to resume them

When to call

  • Blistering, crusting, pus or a spreading rash
  • Pigment that darkens or spreads, or increasing pain after the skin should be settling

Before you book

What determines the fee

The fee depends on the area treated, the device settings and consumables used, and how many passes or modes the plan needs, since tone work and tightening work are planned separately. It also depends on whether the laser is combined with another treatment such as R2 Glow. A written quote is given at consultation after assessment of your skin. The consultation also decides whether treatment is advised at all, so no figure is given beforehand.

How quotes work at this practice: how we quote.

Myths we hear in clinic

“A pico laser shrinks or closes pores.”

It can make pores look less visible through pigment and dermal changes, but it does not make a pore smaller or switch off oil production.

“Because picosecond pulses avoid heat, darker skin and melasma carry no risk.”

Pigment can still worsen after any laser, and melasma behaves differently, so settings are conservative and assessed individually.

T2 Frax Radiance & Pico Laser — Frequently Asked Questions

A pico laser delivers pulses measured in picoseconds — trillionths of a second. Because the pulse is over before meaningful heat can spread into surrounding tissue, it acts on pigment photoacoustically: a rapid pressure wave fragments pigment particles mechanically rather than burning them. That distinction is what makes picosecond delivery suited to Asian skin, where thermal load carries a risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Tighten and Tone. The protocol uses two different emission modes on the same platform. Tone works on pigment through picosecond photoacoustic delivery. Tighten works through a longer thermal-mode pulse that stimulates dermal collagen. They address different targets at different depths.

The DEKA TORO. It is a Q-switched Nd:YAG system combining picosecond and nanosecond emissions across three wavelengths — 785 nm in the picosecond range, plus 532 nm and 1064 nm. It also carries a longer-duration thermal mode, and supports a repetition rate of up to 20 Hz.

785 nm in picosecond mode is well suited to epidermal and dermal pigment in Fitzpatrick III to V skin — the phototypes most common in Singapore. Most published laser parameters were developed on lighter skin, where there is less melanin available to absorb stray energy. At 785 nm with picosecond delivery, the risk of provoking the very pigment you set out to reduce is lower.

Both are Q-switched systems; the difference is pulse duration. Nanosecond pulses deliver more heat alongside the photoacoustic effect. Picosecond pulses are roughly a thousand times shorter, so proportionally more of the work is mechanical and less is thermal. The TORO platform carries both, which is why a protocol can move between them within one session rather than being locked to one.

On the tone side: epidermal and dermal pigmentation, melasma, sun-induced pigment and post-inflammatory change. On the tighten side: skin laxity and texture, through a collagen response. Which of the two dominates a given protocol depends on the presentation, and that is decided at consultation.

Melasma is among the presentations picosecond delivery is used for, but it is also the one that most rewards caution. It is a chronic, relapsing condition rather than a spot to be removed, and aggressive treatment can worsen it. Any melasma protocol is planned conservatively and assessed in person before anything is started.

Most patients describe a light snapping sensation. Tolerance varies between individuals and between areas of the face, and comfort is discussed and managed during the session. Eye protection is worn throughout.

The number of T2 Frax Radiance sessions varies with the presentation and cannot honestly be answered in advance. Pigment sitting in the epidermis behaves differently from pigment in the dermis, and melasma behaves differently again. A course is planned individually after in-person assessment rather than sold as a fixed package.

Suitability is assessed in person. Active infection or inflammation in the treatment area, photosensitising medication, recent sun exposure, pregnancy and certain medical conditions are among the things considered at assessment. No laser is appropriate for every patient or every presentation.

They do different jobs. Fractional CO2 is ablative: it removes microscopic columns of tissue and suits pores that sit within acne scarring or etched texture, with a visible recovery. A pico laser carries less heat and is chosen where uneven tone and fine texture accompany the pores. Neither makes a pore smaller, and which suits your skin is decided at examination.

The cost of T2 Frax Radiance in Singapore depends on the area treated, the settings and consumables used, how many passes or modes the plan needs, and whether it is combined with another treatment. Dr Sin Yong gives a written quote at consultation after examining your skin, because the assessment decides whether treatment is advised. No figure is quoted beforehand.

T2 Frax Radiance is worth considering if pigment, uneven tone and some texture or slackness are the concern and you accept that response varies and builds with a planned course. It is a weaker fit for pores expected to physically shrink, for deep scarring, which needs a different approach, or for pigment that keeps being driven by inflammation that has not been addressed.

How long the effect of T2 Frax Radiance lasts depends on the type and depth of pigment, whether the cause such as sun exposure or inflammation continues, your skin type, age and sun protection habits. Pigment can return if its drivers persist, so no duration can be promised. Review timing is set with Dr Sin Yong at consultation and adjusted as your skin responds.

It does not make pores smaller or stop oil production, and it treats pigment already deposited rather than what keeps producing it. Redness and flaking are expected; post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, patchy lightening, blistering or a cold sore flare are uncommon risks, and melasma can react unpredictably. Several visits may be planned, and strict sun protection is needed throughout.

Question not answered here? Ask on WhatsApp, use the enquiry form, or browse 100 questions patients ask.

Explore Further
DEKA Centre of Excellence

The certification, and the four DEKA platforms in clinical use.
S3 Resurfacing

Multi-depth fractional CO2 for scar morphologies.
R2 Glow Laser

Progressive brightening protocol for Asian skin.
Onda Pro

Coolwaves microwave for fat, cellulite and laxity.

Dark Eye Circles

Differentiating pigment, vascular, volumetric and textural causes.
About Dr Sin Yong

Qualifications, clinical approach and signature protocols.
少女光 Laser

675 nm at the reticular dermis — redness, pores and tightening.

HIFU

Focused ultrasound lifting at SMAS depth.

International KOL

Training and symposium work across six manufacturers.

Medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong, MBBS (NUS), MRCS (Edinburgh) · Last updated 7 October 2026 · Editorial policy

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