Precision at the Wavelength Your Concern Requires.
A Portfolio, Not a Single Device. — The difference between laser platforms is not power or generation. It is wavelength, pulse duration, and the specific biological target each laser is designed to interact with. At Ministry of Skin, laser treatment is the considered selection of the most appropriate platform — from a portfolio covering the full clinical spectrum — for the specific tissue change that needs to be addressed.
- G3 CO₂ Laser
- Fotona Starwalker — Pico & Q-Switch
- Q Laze — Q-Switch Nd:YAG
- Fotona SP Dynamis — Er:YAG & Nd:YAG
Overview
The principle of laser treatment in dermatology is selective photothermolysis — the delivery of laser energy at a wavelength and pulse duration that is selectively absorbed by a specific target in the skin, producing a controlled biological effect at that target while leaving the surrounding tissue unaffected. Water absorbs certain wavelengths and is damaged by their thermal effect. Melanin absorbs others and is shattered or coagulated. Haemoglobin in blood vessels absorbs others still. By choosing the wavelength, the pulse duration, and the energy level precisely, a laser can be directed at the specific tissue change — the pigment deposit, the scarred dermis, the active blood vessel, the tattoo ink — with a level of precision that no other treatment modality achieves.
The clinical significance of this precision is that laser treatments, when correctly selected and correctly applied, produce outcomes that are genuinely not achievable by other means. Pigmentation that has sat in the dermis for years, resistant to topical treatment and superficial peels, can be targeted and cleared by a laser at the appropriate wavelength. Acne scarring that reflects a structural deficit in the dermal collagen can be resurfaced and remodelled by an ablative laser in a way that non-ablative treatments cannot fully replicate. Tattoo ink deposited in the dermis — specifically placed there to be permanent — can be fragmented and cleared by picosecond or nanosecond laser pulses whose energy is absorbed almost exclusively by the ink itself.
At Ministry of Skin, laser treatment is a clinical decision — made after assessment of the specific concern, the depth at which it resides, the tissue response required, and the patient's individual presentation. The portfolio of platforms available allows our dermatologists to select, and combine, the most appropriate technology for each patient's specific needs — rather than adapting the patient's concerns to the capabilities of a single device.
Why the Right Platform Matters
Each platform in the Ministry of Skin laser portfolio has been selected because it brings a specific and clinically valuable capability that other platforms do not replicate — and the choice between them is always a clinical one, guided by the diagnosis of the concern being treated and the depth, precision, and biological response that the treatment requires. Understanding what each platform does — and does distinctively — is the context in which the clinical recommendation made at your consultation makes sense.
Laser Portfolio
Our Platforms and What Each Does
G3 CO₂ Laser operates at 10,600nm — a wavelength with extremely high water absorption that produces powerful, controlled ablation of the targeted skin layer. Delivered in fractional mode, which treats a fraction of the skin surface with each pass and leaves the intervening tissue intact as a reservoir for rapid healing, the G3 is the most effective resurfacing platform at Ministry of Skin for significant atrophic acne scarring, advanced photoageing, significant skin texture irregularity, and situations where the depth of collagen stimulation required exceeds what non-ablative treatments can deliver. The trade-off is a more significant recovery period — typically 7–10 days of healing following a fractional CO₂ session — which is the appropriate exchange for the degree of structural change the treatment produces. It is a treatment for patients who need meaningful resurfacing and can accommodate the recovery that meaningful resurfacing requires.
Fotona Starwalker — Pico and Q-Switch is the most versatile pigmentation and tattoo treatment platform at Ministry of Skin, combining picosecond ultrashort pulse technology with conventional Q-Switch nanosecond delivery across two wavelengths — 1064nm Nd:YAG and 532nm KTP. The significance of picosecond delivery for pigmentation treatment lies in its mechanism: pico pulses are short enough that the primary mechanism of pigment fragmentation is photoacoustic — a shockwave that shatters melanin and tattoo ink particles mechanically — rather than photothermal, which produces more collateral heat in the surrounding tissue. The result is more efficient pigment clearance per session, less thermal risk to surrounding skin, and more effective treatment of stubborn and deep pigment that resists nanosecond treatment. The 532nm KTP wavelength addresses red, orange, and surface pigment; the 1064nm Nd:YAG reaches deep dermal pigment, tattoo ink, and the vascular components that contribute to melasma and rosacea. The combination within a single platform allows treatment across the full pigmentation spectrum within one session.
Q Laze — Q-Switch Nd:YAG delivers nanosecond Q-Switch pulses at 1064nm for targeted pigmentation treatment, laser toning and skin brightening, and the carbon peel protocol — in which a liquid carbon solution is applied to the skin surface and irradiated with the Q-Switch beam, the carbon absorbing the energy and producing a controlled thermal effect that simultaneously exfoliates, reduces sebum production, and brightens the skin tone. The carbon peel is one of the most popular brightening and pore-refining treatments at Ministry of Skin — a no-downtime, immediately effective procedure that produces visible improvement in skin clarity and luminosity from a single session. The Q Laze is also used in combination with the Fotona Starwalker for specific pigmentation presentations where the characteristics of nanosecond delivery complement the picosecond protocol.
Fotona SP Dynamis — Er:YAG and Nd:YAG is the most clinically versatile laser platform at Ministry of Skin, operating across two wavelengths with a wide range of applications spanning aesthetic dermatology, skin rejuvenation, intimate wellness, and hair restoration. The Er:YAG wavelength at 2940nm has the highest water absorption of any clinical laser — producing extremely precise superficial ablation with minimal thermal spread, making it the platform of choice for resurfacing where CO₂ would involve more thermal effect than required, for patients where a 3–5 day recovery is more appropriate than CO₂'s longer timeline, and for the IntimaLase and IncontiLase protocols in the Cosmetic Gynaecology programme. The Nd:YAG at 1064nm provides deep vascular treatment, laser hair restart photobiomodulation, and deep tissue coagulation for specific dermatological and aesthetic indications.
Results, Realistic Expectations, and What Preparation Looks Like
Laser treatment results depend on the platform used, the indication treated, and the specific parameters applied — and the timeline of improvement varies accordingly. Pico laser sessions for pigmentation produce visible lightening within 2–4 weeks of each session as the fragmented melanin is cleared by the lymphatic system. Fractional CO₂ resurfacing produces progressive improvement in skin texture and scar depth over 3–6 months following each session as new collagen matures. Carbon peel results are visible from the day of the session.
All laser treatments at Ministry of Skin are preceded by a clinical assessment that includes the indication for treatment, a discussion of the expected outcome and timeline, and any pre-treatment preparation required — which for resurfacing treatments typically includes a 4–6 week preparatory period of daily sun protection and, in some cases, topical conditioning to optimise the skin's response. A test patch is performed before the first full treatment session for any laser protocol involving significant energy delivery. Following treatment, strict daily SPF 50+ is non-negotiable — the newly treated skin is more susceptible to UV-induced change during the healing and remodelling period, and sun protection during this window is one of the most significant determinants of the final outcome.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does my dermatologist decide which laser to use for my concern?
Laser selection at Ministry of Skin is based on the clinical diagnosis of your concern, its location in the skin — epidermal, dermal, or structural — your presentation and history, and the degree and speed of intervention appropriate for your goals. Your dermatologist will explain which laser or combination of platforms is recommended and why, so you understand the clinical reasoning before any treatment is scheduled.
Is laser treatment safe?
Yes — when performed by a qualified dermatologist using clinically appropriate parameters for the patient's specific presentation. The primary risks associated with laser treatment — post-inflammatory change, prolonged healing, or inadequate treatment effect — are significantly reduced by appropriate patient selection, accurate diagnosis, correct parameter calibration, and rigorous post-treatment photoprotection. At Ministry of Skin, all laser treatments are performed by qualified dermatologists with specific training in laser physics, tissue interaction, and complication management.
How many sessions will I need?
Session requirements vary significantly by indication. A single Pico laser session may produce significant clearance of surface solar lentigines. A carbon peel programme for skin brightening typically involves 5–6 monthly sessions. Fractional CO₂ resurfacing for acne scarring requires 2–4 sessions spaced 3–4 months apart. Tattoo removal requires 6–12 or more sessions. Your dermatologist will provide a specific estimate following your assessment.
What is the downtime after laser treatment?
Downtime depends entirely on the laser used and the treatment parameters. A carbon peel involves no downtime. Pico laser for pigmentation involves 24–48 hours of mild redness. Fractional CO₂ resurfacing involves 7–10 days of visible healing followed by 4–6 weeks of progressive improvement. Your dermatologist will discuss the specific expected recovery for your recommended treatment at your consultation.
Can laser treatments be combined?
Yes — and at Ministry of Skin they frequently are. Different lasers address different tissue depths and different targets, and combining platforms across a treatment programme allows comprehensive management of complex presentations. Pico laser for pigmentation combined with fractional laser for texture and scarring is a common combination for patients with both concerns. Carbon peel toning combined with targeted pigmentation sessions is another. Your dermatologist will design the programme that makes the most clinical sense for your specific needs.
