Pigment doesn't all sit at the same depth, so one laser rarely resolves it completely. The Pigment Protocol pairs PicoLazer and the ReVive Thulium laser across a structured series — addressing deep, stubborn pigment and surface brightness together. Performed personally by Dr. Amir Mortazavi, MD.
Pigment is rarely uniform. Some of it sits close to the surface — sun spots, dullness, early photodamage. Some sits deeper, more stubborn, more resistant to a single treatment. Most laser protocols only address one depth at a time, which is why patients often feel like their pigment "mostly" improved but never fully resolved.
The Pigment Protocol was built to close that gap. It combines two lasers that work through entirely different mechanisms — PicoLazer, which shatters pigment particles regardless of depth using photoacoustic energy, and the ReVive Thulium laser, which targets water in the superficial epidermis to brighten and even the surface. Together, across a structured series, they address pigment from both directions.
Rather than choosing a single modality and hoping it reaches everything, The Pigment Protocol is designed around the reality that pigment lives at different depths in the skin. Each laser does what it does best, and the sequence is built to give the skin time to heal between every session.
Uses picosecond, photoacoustic energy to shatter pigment particles into fine fragments the body clears naturally — regardless of how deep the pigment sits. Minimal heat generation makes it effective for melasma and more resistant pigment that hasn't responded to other treatments.
A 1927nm laser that targets water in the epidermis, staying confined to the top 200 to 300 microns of skin. Ideal for sun spots, dullness, and surface tone irregularities, with a fast, low-downtime recovery of 1 to 3 days.
Treatments alternate between the two modalities, with roughly 3 to 4 weeks between each session to allow full healing before the next treatment. This spacing minimizes inflammation and reduces the risk of rebound pigmentation — a real concern when pigment-focused treatments are stacked too closely together.
Most pigment complaints I see aren't from one depth of damage — they're a mix. Treating only the surface leaves the deeper pigment behind, and treating only the deeper layer leaves the skin looking dull. The Pigment Protocol exists because patients deserve a plan that addresses both, not a single tool asked to do more than it's designed for. Every session is performed personally.
What is The Pigment Protocol?
The Pigment Protocol is a structured series of 4 treatments — 2 PicoLazer sessions and 2 ReVive Thulium sessions — designed to address pigment at two different depths. PicoLazer treats deeper, more stubborn pigment through a photoacoustic mechanism, while ReVive Thulium targets surface pigment and brightness.
Why combine two different lasers for pigment?
Pigment can sit at different depths in the skin, and PicoLazer and ReVive Thulium work through entirely different mechanisms to reach it. Pico shatters pigment particles regardless of depth using photoacoustic energy, while Thulium targets water in the superficial epidermis. Combining both addresses pigment comprehensively rather than treating only one depth.
How are the treatments sequenced?
Sessions are alternated — PicoLazer, then ReVive Thulium, then PicoLazer, then ReVive Thulium — with approximately 3 to 4 weeks between each treatment to allow full healing before the next session. The full protocol typically spans 3 to 4 months.
Who is a good candidate for The Pigment Protocol?
Any patient seeking comprehensive pigment correction is a candidate, including those with a mix of surface sun spots and deeper or more stubborn pigment, melasma, or patients who have tried a single laser modality previously without full resolution.
Does The Pigment Protocol cost less than booking each treatment separately?
Yes. The Pigment Protocol is priced as a package and includes a built-in discount compared to booking 2 PicoLazer and 2 ReVive Thulium sessions individually. Current pricing is available on the treatment menu.
Dr. Mortazavi will assess your pigment and confirm whether the full protocol — or a single modality — is the right fit.
4667 MacArthur Blvd, Suite 310 — Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 568-7544 — info@plumpmedicalspa.com
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