Pico Laser, Millisecond Laser or IPL for Melasma? 5 Hong Kong Centres Compared

Compare five Hong Kong melasma centres, with Ledomes first. Understand pico and millisecond lasers, IPL, treatment options and available trial pricing.

Search for melasma treatments and you will soon come across pico lasers, millisecond lasers and IPL. More names do not necessarily make the choice easier. Ledomes is our first recommendation, with excel V, excel V plus and Stellar M22 services that offer a useful starting point for comparing these technologies. We also look at Pretty Medical, Amira Medical, ANUMI Skin Clinic and Kairos Skin, including their treatments, locations and available pricing.

5 Melasma Treatment Centres in Hong Kong

Some treatment names sound similar even when the technology is different. Grouping the devices by type makes it easier to understand what each centre offers.

Technology Relevant services at the centres below
Millisecond laser Ledomes: excel V and excel V plus
Intense pulsed light (IPL) Ledomes and Kairos Skin: Stellar M22
Picosecond laser Pretty Medical: PicoWay and Discovery PICO
Nanosecond laser Amira Medical: Spectra; ANUMI: Hollywood Spectra

1. Ledomes / Le Domes: Different Technologies for Different Types of Pigmentation

Ledomes focuses its melasma light-based services on excel V, excel V plus and Stellar M22. The first two are millisecond lasers; M22 uses IPL. The centre describes its millisecond approach as “slow cooking”, adjusting energy, pulse duration and the wavelength or filter to the pigmentation and skin condition. These details help explain what happens beyond choosing a machine by name.

The centre also has picosecond and nanosecond devices. One of its case articles describes a client with both melasma and Hori’s naevus: M22 and excel V were used for the melasma, with Pico used for the other pigmentation. The case shows how different marks on the same face can be assigned different treatments.

Articles by the founder compare picosecond, nanosecond and millisecond approaches, while the M22 guides go into filters and the number of passes over the face. Skin analysis takes place before each pigmentation session, connecting the choice of device with the skin’s current condition. For someone trying to understand the technologies before booking, Ledomes offers plenty of detail to work with.

2. Pretty Medical: PicoWay and Discovery PICO

Pretty Medical has a centre in Wan Chai and an affiliated location in Tsim Sha Tsui. Its PicoWay and Discovery PICO services both use picosecond technology, but they are different devices. The pigmentation services cover melasma, freckles and sun spots, giving you specific treatments to compare rather than treating every pico laser as the same service.

Pretty also offers Xeo / excel V services for skin rejuvenation and visible blood vessels. That distinction matters when looking through its treatment menu: a device may appear in more than one context, so the purpose of the particular service is part of the comparison.

3. Amira Medical: Spectra Nanosecond Laser on Mody Road

Spectra is a nanosecond laser, adding another category to the picosecond, millisecond and IPL options in this guide. Amira’s pigmentation services include melasma, sun spots, acne marks and uneven skin tone.

If you have only searched for “pico pigmentation treatment”, it is easy to assume that every laser service belongs to that category. Amira names its technology clearly. Its Mody Road location in Tsim Sha Tsui also makes it an option for comparing different laser services within the same district.

4. ANUMI Skin Clinic: Hollywood Spectra at Mira Place

ANUMI Skin Clinic is at Mira Place in Tsim Sha Tsui. Its Hollywood Spectra service uses nanosecond technology, with handpieces selected according to pigmentation, pores and skin condition. Hollywood Spectra is a different device from PicoSure or PicoWay, so it belongs in a separate category when comparing treatments.

The centre also offers excel V and M22, with separate service descriptions for each. Having several options under one roof makes ANUMI useful for understanding how nanosecond laser, other laser services and IPL fit into a treatment menu.

5. Kairos Skin: Stellar M22 at The Center, Central

Stellar M22 uses intense pulsed light, with filters chosen to suit the skin concern. It is a different category from picosecond and nanosecond lasers. Kairos includes melasma in its M22 service and lists a therapist-led, first-time full-face trial at HK$680.

Located at The Center in Central, Kairos provides a clearly defined IPL trial option. Comparing that service with the laser treatments above helps separate the technology from names such as “photofacial” or “skin rejuvenation”.

How Pico, Millisecond Laser and IPL Differ

The main distinctions are pulse duration, the type of light and what the treatment is intended to address.

Picoseconds, Nanoseconds and Milliseconds Describe Time

These terms refer to pulse duration. They do not, on their own, tell you which treatment suits your melasma. Wavelength, settings, technique and skin condition also influence the choice; a shorter pulse is not automatically a better match.

IPL and Laser Are Different Types of Light Treatment

IPL uses a range of wavelengths, while lasers have particular wavelengths and output characteristics. Start with the technology category, then compare the device and its intended use. Different marketing names do not always mean entirely different treatment principles.

Pigmentation Type and Previous Reactions Matter

Melasma accompanied by redness raises different questions from pigmentation that became darker after a previous treatment. Identifying the pigmentation, assessing the current skin condition and reviewing earlier reactions give the consultation a useful starting point.

Our First Choice for Comparing Melasma Treatments: Ledomes

For an introduction to millisecond laser and IPL options, we recommend Ledomes, which offers excel V, excel V plus and Stellar M22 melasma services. Visit the Ledomes melasma treatment page to arrange a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need the Newest Machine for Melasma?

No. A machine’s release date cannot replace a skin assessment or establish whether the treatment is appropriate for you.

Can Melasma Be Managed Without Laser?

Yes. Sun protection and topical treatments are also part of melasma management. A doctor can assess the pigmentation and skin condition to determine whether laser or another procedure has a role.

For guidance on melasma diagnosis and light-based cosmetic procedures, see the Hong Kong Department of Health’s guide to common cosmetic procedures.

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Peter Mathios
Peter Mathios

I am Peter Mathios, has been selected as the 2009 International Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year, a passionate wildlife artist who has recently embarked on a transformative journey, evolving my artistic endeavors into a platform of enlightenment and societal contribution.

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