R2T2 Laser in Singapore: R2 Glow and T2 Frax Radiance in One Plan
For dull, uneven skin where fixed brown marks sit on a reddish, reactive background. Medical Director Dr Sin Yong combines two of IN Eternity Clinic’s laser protocols and sets the order after examining your skin.
The two halves: R2 Glow and T2 Frax Radiance.
WhatsApp to Enquire →Key facts ↓R2T2 is IN Eternity Clinic’s combined laser plan for pigmentation, redness and uneven tone. R2 Glow, on the Lutronic Clarity II, uses gentle long-pulsed 755 nm and 1064 nm passes with the skin surface left intact, aimed at the redness and low-grade inflammation that keep pigment coming back. T2 Frax Radiance, on the DEKA TORO, uses a 785 nm picosecond pass for pigment that is already deposited, then a longer thermal pulse for the dermis. It is planned for Asian skin types III to V. Melasma is assessed separately and usually starts with R2 Glow alone or no laser.
- Long-pulsed 1064 nm has evidence for redness: in a series of rosacea patients treated with long-pulsed Nd:YAG, the redness-predominant subtype responded better than the papulopustular subtype [1].
- Picosecond 755 nm has been studied in Asian skin: a study of pigmented lesions in Asian patients supported a picosecond alexandrite laser at suitable settings [2].
- Picosecond pulses work by pressure, not heat: reviews describe picosecond lasers breaking pigment photoacoustically with less heat spread [3], which matters in skin that darkens easily.
- The evidence has grades: a systematic review of 77 studies rated picosecond evidence as level II for melasma and skin rejuvenation [4], so results are judged per person.
- Doctor-led: every R2T2 plan is assessed and every pass performed by Medical Director Dr Sin Yong at IN Eternity Clinic, a designated DEKA Centre of Excellence.
Why R2T2 uses two lasers
A brown mark on the face usually has two parts: pigment that is already sitting in the skin, and whatever keeps pigment cells making more. In Singapore the second part is often low-grade inflammation from year-round sun, which shows as a reddish, slightly dull background.
Clearing the brown without calming the background tends to give a short-lived result. Calming the background without clearing the brown leaves the fixed marks behind. R2T2 plans both, in the order your skin can tolerate.
R2 Glow: calming redness and the drive behind pigment
R2 Glow runs long-pulsed 755 nm alexandrite and 1064 nm Nd:YAG energy on the Lutronic Clarity II in several gentle passes, with the surface left intact. The settings are chosen for inflammation and redness rather than for breaking pigment. Long-pulsed 1064 nm has a long record for facial redness [1].
Because R2 works on a process rather than a deposit, change builds over a course and varies between people.
T2 Frax Radiance: clearing pigment, then a thermal pass
T2 Frax Radiance uses the DEKA TORO. A 785 nm picosecond pass breaks deposited pigment by a pressure effect with little heat spread [3], an approach studied in Asian skin [2]. A longer thermal pulse then targets the dermis to prompt collagen [5], which helps texture and the look of pores.
T2 Frax Radiance is a skin protocol. Tattoos use a separate protocol on the same device: T2 Targeted Tattoo removal.
R2T2, R2 Glow alone, T2 alone or pico toning?
- R2T2: brown marks plus a reddish, reactive background; skin that darkens easily after sun or acne.
- R2 Glow alone: redness-led skin, and the usual first step in melasma when laser is used at all.
- T2 Frax Radiance alone: fixed spots or uneven tone on calm skin, with texture as a second goal.
- Pico laser toning: treats the deposit only; see pico laser in Singapore and pico toning vs laser toning.
Which applies is decided after the brown is diagnosed. Melasma, sun spots, post-inflammatory marks and Hori’s naevus each respond differently; see age spots vs freckles vs melasma.
Is R2T2 suitable for melasma?
Not as a first step. Melasma starts with strict sun protection and medical treatment. If laser is used, it usually begins with R2 Glow alone, and picosecond passes are added cautiously once the skin is stable.
How an R2T2 session is planned
- Skin examination, and a small test area where darkening is a concern.
- The two halves in one visit or on separate visits; R2 usually comes first when the skin is reactive.
- Redness and mild swelling for hours, sometimes fine flaking for a few days.
- A course of sessions a few weeks apart; the number depends on how much pigment and redness there is.
- Strict sun protection between sessions, since post-inflammatory pigmentation is the main risk in darker skin.
Other areas
The same two-part approach is used for darker skin on the underarms, bikini line and inner thighs; see intimate brightening and inner thigh whitening and underarm whitening.
What Dr Sin Yong looks for
- Which type of brown is present, and how deep it sits.
- How much redness and reactivity there is.
- Recent sun exposure or a tan, which means waiting.
- Recent oral acne treatment, infection or a history of darkening after procedures.
- Whether R2, T2, both or neither is the right start.
Frequently asked questions
What is R2T2?
R2T2 is IN Eternity Clinic’s plan that combines R2 Glow (long-pulsed 755 and 1064 nm on the Lutronic Clarity II, surface intact) with T2 Frax Radiance (785 nm picosecond plus a thermal mode on the DEKA TORO). It is used where brown marks sit on a reddish, inflamed background.
Is R2T2 laser suitable for Asian skin?
It is planned for skin types III to V. Picosecond pulses break pigment with less heat spread, and a test area is used where darkening is a concern. Tanned skin waits until the tan fades.
Is R2T2 the same as pico laser toning?
No. Pico laser toning treats deposited pigment only. R2T2 adds R2 Glow for the redness and inflammation that keep pigment returning.
How many R2T2 sessions are needed?
It depends on the pigment and redness found at assessment. R2 works gradually over a course; T2 sessions depend on how much pigment there is. A plan is set after examination, and results vary.
What is the downtime after R2T2?
Usually redness and mild swelling for a few hours, sometimes fine flaking for a few days. Most people return to work the same or next day, with strict sun protection.
How much does R2T2 cost in Singapore?
It depends on whether one or both halves are needed, the area and the number of sessions. A written estimate follows assessment; see fees and what is included.
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
International KOL — CLASSYS · HIRONIC · DEKA · ALMA · FOTONA · LUTRONIC
References
- Mese Say E, et al. Treatment outcomes of long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser for two different subtypes of rosacea. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2015;8(9):16-20. PubMed
- Chan JC, Shek SY, Kono T, Yeung CK, Chan HH. Management of pigmented lesions using a picosecond 755-nm alexandrite laser in Asians. Lasers Surg Med 2016;48(1):23-29. PubMed
- Torbeck RL, Schilling L, Khorasani H, Dover JS, Arndt KA, Saedi N. Evolution of the picosecond laser: a review of literature. Dermatol Surg 2019;45(2):183-194. PubMed
- 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. doi:10.1002/lsm.23244
- Tanghetti EA. The histology of skin treated with a picosecond alexandrite laser and a fractional lens array. Lasers Surg Med 2016;48(7):646-652. PubMed
Figures taken from the published papers and abstracts. Results vary between people; suitability is decided at an in-person consultation.