Fotona StarWalker PQX in Singapore
The Fotona StarWalker PQX at IN Eternity Clinic: its wavelengths and modes as Fotona describes them, the treatments that use it, and who it may not suit. Planned by Medical Director Dr Sin Yong.
WhatsApp to Enquire →Key facts ↓The Fotona StarWalker PQX is a laser platform that delivers picosecond pulses and Q-switched Nd:YAG pulses at 1064 nm and 532 nm. At IN Eternity Clinic on Orchard Road it is used for pigment spots, freckles, post-acne marks, tattoo removal, laser toning and the R2 Glow protocol. Dr Sin Yong types the pigment first; sessions and downtime depend on the concern.
- Maker and model: StarWalker PQX, made by Fotona, which describes it as a picosecond laser with Q-switched Nd:YAG (1064 nm) and Q-switched KTP Nd:YAG (532 nm) outputs [1].
- Other modes Fotona lists: FracTAT and FRAC3 fractional modes, full-spot and fractional handpieces, and Er:YAG SMOOTH and TURBO modalities; Fotona notes that handpiece availability depends on the local distributor [1].
- Applications named by Fotona: black and multicolour tattoo removal, pigmented lesions, skin toning, FracRevive photorejuvenation, and scar revision and resurfacing [1].
- Evidence for picosecond lasers: a systematic review of 77 studies rated the evidence for picosecond laser at level I for tattoo removal and level I to IV for benign pigmented lesions [2].
- Asian skin: a meta-analysis of 200 Asian patients graded pigment clearance after picosecond laser as excellent in about 56 in 100 at three months, with 532, 1064 and 755 nm performing similarly [3].
What is the Fotona StarWalker PQX?
The Fotona StarWalker PQX is a Fotona laser platform that fires both picosecond and Q-switched Nd:YAG pulses, so one system can treat pigment and ink with two pulse lengths.
An Nd:YAG laser produces infrared light at 1064 nm. Passing that beam through a KTP crystal halves the wavelength to 532 nm, which is green light. The two wavelengths behave differently in skin: 1064 nm travels deeper and is absorbed less by the pigment in the surface layers, while 532 nm is absorbed strongly near the surface. Fotona describes the StarWalker PQX as a picosecond laser that also delivers Q-switched pulses at both wavelengths [1].
| Feature | What Fotona states | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Laser type | Picosecond laser plus Q-switched Nd:YAG | Two pulse lengths on one platform, chosen per target |
| Wavelengths | 1064 nm (Nd:YAG) and 532 nm (Q-switched KTP Nd:YAG) | 1064 nm for deeper pigment, black ink and toning; 532 nm for surface brown spots and some warm ink colours |
| Picosecond action | Described as photoacoustic, remodelling skin in a non-thermal way | Pigment and ink are broken mainly by a pressure wave rather than heat |
| Fractional modes | FracTAT and FRAC3 | Energy split into an array of points for tattoos, rejuvenation and texture |
| Er:YAG modalities | SMOOTH and TURBO | Listed by Fotona on the platform; configuration varies by system |
| Handpieces | Full-spot and fractional handpieces; LIOB spacers | Spot size and pattern matched to the target |
| Safety control | EFC (Energy Feedback Control) with online self-calibration | The system monitors its own output |
What the specification sheet does not tell you is how the platform is set for your skin. The same laser can be gentle enough for a toning pass or strong enough to shatter tattoo ink, and the difference lies in wavelength, spot size, energy and spacing, which Dr Sin Yong chooses after the pigment has been identified.
How does a picosecond and Q-switched laser work on pigment?
Both pulse types deliver energy faster than heat can spread; picosecond pulses rely more on a pressure wave, Q-switched nanosecond pulses more on very rapid heating.
Pigment granules and ink particles absorb laser light far more than the skin around them. If the energy arrives in a short enough burst, the particle is shattered before the heat leaks into neighbouring tissue. This is the principle of selective photothermolysis. The fragments are then cleared over the following weeks by the skin’s own scavenger cells and lymphatic drainage, which is why change is gradual and courses are spaced.
A picosecond pulse is about a thousand times shorter than a nanosecond Q-switched pulse. The shorter burst produces more of a mechanical, photoacoustic effect and less heat spread, which is useful for fine pigment and stubborn ink. Q-switched pulses remain useful too: low-energy Q-switched 1064 nm passes are the basis of laser toning, and Q-switched 532 nm reaches discrete surface brown spots. Having both on one platform means the pulse can follow the pigment rather than the other way round. The evidence for picosecond lasers is strongest for tattoo removal and benign pigmented lesions [2].
Fractional delivery splits the beam into many small points. Fotona’s FracTAT and FRAC3 modes use this for tattoos, rejuvenation and texture. How picosecond and Q-switched treatments compare in practice is set out in pico vs Q-switched vs laser toning.
Which treatments use the Fotona StarWalker PQX at IN Eternity Clinic?
Pigment and tattoo work, laser toning and Dr Sin Yong’s R2 Glow protocol run on the StarWalker PQX, alongside the clinic’s second picosecond platform, the DEKA TORO.
| Treatment | What the StarWalker PQX does there | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| R2 Glow | IN Eternity Clinic’s brightening protocol: picosecond and Q-switched Nd:YAG pulses in several gentle passes for dull, uneven tone, mild sun spots and post-acne marks; cautiously as support in melasma | R2 Glow |
| Pico laser | Sun spots, freckles, post-acne marks and uneven tone, with the platform chosen per pigment | pico laser in Singapore |
| Tattoo removal | Picosecond and Q-switched wavelengths matched to each ink colour and to skin type, over a course | tattoo removal in Singapore |
| Pigmentation by type | Wavelength chosen for each pigment once it has been typed | pigmentation treatment in Singapore |
| Melasma care | Low-energy 1064 nm or picosecond passes with a large spot, as one part of a wider plan | melasma treatment in Singapore |
| Freckles and age spots | Spot treatment with picosecond or Q-switched pulses, often 532 nm for surface pigment | freckles removal, age spot removal |
| Lip pigmentation | Benign surface pigment within the lip border, after examination | lip pigmentation |
The clinic has two picosecond-and-Q-switched platforms because they overlap but are not identical. The DEKA TORO adds a 785 nm picosecond wavelength and a longer thermal pulse, which run the T2 Frax Radiance protocol; the StarWalker PQX runs R2 Glow and offers Fotona’s fractional and Er:YAG modes. For most pigment, the deciding factor is the type and depth of the pigment, not the brand.
How does the StarWalker PQX differ from other pico lasers?
Pico platforms differ mainly in their wavelengths and in whether they also fire Q-switched pulses; the StarWalker PQX pairs picosecond pulses with Q-switched 1064 nm and 532 nm.
| Feature | Fotona StarWalker PQX | DEKA TORO |
|---|---|---|
| Pulse types | Picosecond and Q-switched (nanosecond) | Picosecond and nanosecond (Q-switched) |
| Wavelengths stated by the maker | 1064 nm and 532 nm | 785 nm, 532 nm and 1064 nm |
| Extra modes | FracTAT, FRAC3; Er:YAG SMOOTH and TURBO | Thermal-Mode (longer pulse); fractional round handpieces; carbon peel handpiece |
| Maker’s stated applications | Tattoos, pigmented lesions, toning, photorejuvenation, scar revision and resurfacing | Benign pigmented lesions, tattoos, toning, carbon peel, rejuvenation, acne scars, melasma |
| Protocol at IN Eternity | R2 Glow | T2 Frax Radiance; laser toning |
Compared with a laser that fires only picosecond pulses, a dual platform keeps the Q-switched option for toning and for some spots. Compared with a Q-switched-only laser, it adds the picosecond pulse for fine pigment and resistant ink. Other brands of picosecond laser are built around other wavelengths; a factual brand-by-brand comparison is in PicoSure vs PicoWay vs StarWalker.
A larger number of wavelengths is not automatically better. Each wavelength suits certain targets, and the useful question is whether the platform has the wavelength your pigment needs. The guide to pigmentation types in Asian skin explains why the diagnosis matters more than the machine.
Is the StarWalker PQX safe for Asian skin?
It is used on skin types III to V, but darkening after laser (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, PIH) is the main risk, so settings and spacing are planned around it.
In medium and darker skin, the pigment cells react to heat and inflammation by making more pigment. A setting that is safe on fair skin can leave a brown mark on Asian skin, especially after sun exposure in Singapore’s climate. Picosecond pulses spread less heat, which is one reason they are used for pigment in skin types III to V; a meta-analysis of picosecond laser for pigmentary disorders in Asian patients found most cases graded good or excellent at three months [3].
- A test spot is used where the response is uncertain, for example with a history of PIH.
- Toning is a little energy many times; turning it up to go faster is how uneven tone gets worse.
- Sessions are spaced so that any redness or darkening settles before the next one.
- Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, shade and a hat are part of the plan, both ahead of treatment and afterwards.
Side effects and aftercare are covered in pico laser side effects and aftercare.
Who may not suit treatment on the StarWalker PQX?
People with an unexamined new or changing spot, a fresh tan, active infection or eczema in the area, or who are pregnant, are usually not treated until that is resolved.
- A spot that is new, changing or irregular. It is examined first; laser removes the evidence a biopsy needs. See mole check before removal.
- A fresh tan or recent sunburn. Tanned skin absorbs more energy, so treatment waits until it fades.
- Active infection, cold sores, open wounds or an eczema flare in the treatment area.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Elective laser treatment is usually postponed; see pregnancy and breastfeeding safety.
- Melasma that is flaring with heat, hormones or recent sun. A gentler plan, or medical treatment first, may suit better.
- Cosmetic tattoos in white, flesh or some red inks. These can darken with short-pulse lasers, so a small test area comes first.
- Expecting a single-session result for tattoos or melasma. Both usually need a course, and melasma can return.
If the StarWalker PQX is not the right tool, Dr Sin Yong says so and suggests what is, which may be a different laser, a peel, medical treatment or no treatment at all.
What Dr Sin Yong checks before using the StarWalker PQX
- What the pigment is: sun spot, freckle, melasma, Hori’s naevus, post-acne marks or a mixture, and how deep it sits.
- Your skin type, recent sun exposure and any history of darkening or pale patches after treatment.
- Any spot that needs examining before laser, rather than removing.
- For tattoos: ink colours, age, density, previous treatment and whether it is a cosmetic tattoo.
- Triggers that will bring pigment back, such as hormones, heat and sun, and how they will be managed.
- Events, travel and outdoor plans in the weeks after treatment.
General clinical observations used at consultation; they describe what is checked, not any individual result.
What happens at a StarWalker PQX session?
After assessment, cleansing and eye protection, the laser is passed over the area; toning feels like warm snaps, and spot or tattoo work like quick rubber-band flicks.
- Assessment. Dr Sin Yong types the pigment or reviews the tattoo, checks skin type and sun exposure, and agrees the plan and the number of sessions likely.
- Preparation. Make-up is removed and photographs are taken with consent. Numbing cream may be used for spot and tattoo work.
- Eye protection. You wear laser shields or goggles for the whole treatment.
- Treatment. Toning passes cover the face evenly; spot treatment and tattoo work are targeted. Time varies from a few minutes to around half an hour.
- Straight after. Toning usually leaves redness for a few hours. Treated spots darken and may form fine crusts for about a week; tattoos may whiten briefly, swell or blister.
- Review. Further sessions are spaced weeks apart so that fragments can clear and any reaction can settle.
Downtime by treatment type is described day by day in pico laser downtime.
Where can I have Fotona StarWalker PQX treatment in Singapore?
The StarWalker PQX is used at IN Eternity Clinic, 9 Scotts Road, #12-01 Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210, near Orchard MRT, after a consultation with Medical Director Dr Sin Yong.
Fotona is among the device makers that have invited Dr Sin Yong to share his clinical expertise internationally. That is a professional relationship, not an endorsement of any result. At IN Eternity Clinic, a designated DEKA Centre of Excellence, the StarWalker PQX sits alongside the DEKA TORO, and the platform is chosen for the pigment rather than the reverse.
Medical devices supplied in Singapore are regulated by the Health Sciences Authority, and you can look a product up yourself; HSA registration explained shows how. Fees depend on the treatment, the area and the number of sessions, and are given in writing after assessment; see fees. Every device at the clinic is listed in aesthetic devices at IN Eternity Clinic.
“Pigment is not one problem. I name each type on the cheek first, then choose the wavelength. The brand of laser comes last.”
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fotona StarWalker PQX available in Singapore?
Yes. The Fotona StarWalker PQX is available at IN Eternity Clinic, 9 Scotts Road, #12-01 Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210, near Orchard MRT. Dr Sin Yong uses it for pigment, tattoo removal, laser toning and the R2 Glow protocol. Treatment follows a consultation, at which he decides whether it, or the DEKA TORO, suits your skin and concern.
Is the StarWalker PQX a pico laser or a Q-switched laser?
Both. Fotona describes the StarWalker PQX as a picosecond laser that also delivers Q-switched Nd:YAG pulses at 1064 nm and 532 nm. Picosecond pulses are used for fine pigment and resistant ink; Q-switched pulses for laser toning and some spots. Which is used depends on what the pigment or ink is.
What is the difference between StarWalker PQX and StarWalker MaQX?
Fotona makes several StarWalker models, including the MaQX, PICO Pro and PQX. IN Eternity Clinic uses the StarWalker PQX, which Fotona describes as combining a picosecond laser with Q-switched Nd:YAG and KTP outputs. What matters for you is whether the wavelength and pulse suit your pigment, which is decided at assessment.
Does StarWalker PQX treatment hurt?
Most people describe toning as warm snapping and spot or tattoo work as quick rubber-band flicks. Numbing cream can be applied for spot and tattoo treatment, and cooling is used afterwards. Discomfort varies with the area, the energy and the person, and settings can be adjusted during the session.
How many StarWalker PQX sessions will I need?
It depends on the concern. Discrete sun spots often need one to three sessions; toning and melasma care are given as a course; tattoos usually need many sessions spaced weeks apart, depending on ink colour, density and depth. Dr Sin Yong gives a likely range at assessment and reviews it as you respond.
What is the downtime after StarWalker PQX treatment?
Toning usually leaves redness for a few hours. Treated spots darken and may form fine crusts for about a week before flaking off. Tattoo treatment can cause brief whitening, swelling and sometimes blistering. Strict sun protection is needed throughout, because Asian skin can darken after laser.
Can the StarWalker PQX treat melasma?
It can be one part of melasma care, using gentle, low-energy passes, but it does not cure melasma, which can return with sun, heat and hormones. Over-treatment can make tone more uneven, so melasma plans are cautious and combine laser with sun protection and medical treatment where suitable.
StarWalker PQX or DEKA TORO: which will I have?
Both are picosecond-and-Q-switched platforms at IN Eternity Clinic. The DEKA TORO adds a 785 nm picosecond wavelength and a thermal mode used in T2 Frax Radiance; the StarWalker PQX runs R2 Glow. Dr Sin Yong chooses per pigment, skin type and goal, and some plans use both.
Book an assessment
IN Eternity Clinic, 9 Scotts Road, #12-01 Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210. By appointment with Medical Director Dr Sin Yong. Monday to Saturday, 11am to 8pm. WhatsApp or call +65 8815 3008. At IN Eternity Clinic a consultation fee applies, and it is waived if you go ahead with any medical treatment; the fee is S$120.
International KOL — CLASSYS · HIRONIC · DEKA · ALMA · FOTONA · LUTRONIC
References
- Fotona. StarWalker® PQX, product page (fotona.com), 2026. Read 28 October 2026. fotona.com
- Wu DC, Goldman MP, Wat H, Chan HHL. A systematic review of picosecond laser in dermatology: evidence and recommendations. Lasers Surg Med 2021;53(1):9-49 (online 2020). doi:10.1002/lsm.23244
- Dong W, Wang N, Yuan X, et al. Treatment of pigmentary disorders using picosecond laser in Asian patients: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Dermatol Ther 2021;34(1):e14709 (online 2020). doi:10.1111/dth.14709
These sources describe mechanisms and general evidence. They are not a promise of any individual result; suitability is decided at an in-person assessment.