01 — Laser Therapy · Fotona Laser Lifting

PIANO™ Laser Thermolifting — deep heating and lifting

An ultra-long-pulse Nd:YAG laser mode, available only on the Fotona system. Even, high-volume heating of the dermis (40–45°C) contracts collagen fibres and stimulates their renewal — a strong lifting and firming effect with no damage to the epidermis and no downtime.

Book online — Mokotów Book online — City Centre Book a consultation →

Nd:YAG 1064 nmdeep, high-volume heating

No downtimeredness for up to an hour

All year roundincluding summer

2 clinicsCity Centre · Mokotów

02 — About the Treatment

PIANO Thermolifting — the Nd:YAG mode found only in Fotona lasers

Laser lifting in PIANO mode is a therapy used to rejuvenate, firm and tighten the skin and to remodel the contour of the face and body. PIANO is an ultra-long-pulse Nd:YAG™ mode available only on the Fotona laser system. It delivers safe, fast heating of the tissue through concentrated, focused delivery of energy beneath the skin. Controlled heating contracts existing collagen fibres and stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin, giving a lifting and tightening effect. It is a non-ablative therapy mode — it does not vaporise the epidermis — recommended for patients who can't set aside time for downtime.

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Why PIANO heats deeply and in high volume

The Nd:YAG wavelength — 1064 nm — is a clinically confirmed, effective pulse wavelength used to contract collagen fibres and initiate the formation of new collagen molecules. The super-long PIANO mode extends Nd:YAG pulses beyond the parameters available on other lasers, and suits cases where even, high-volume heating of the dermis is needed to achieve tightening, firming and lifting without damaging the epidermis. The PIANO system is also used to treat fresh scars (e.g. post-surgical). The mode's main applications are laser skin remodelling and firming, treatment of skin laxity, scar treatment and deep thermolifting.

03 — PIANO in NumbersFotona laser lifting at Velvet Skin Clinic

165PIANO treatments performed (2020–2026)

90patients

42%return for further sessions

2clinics in central Warsaw

PIANO thermolifting is part of our Fotona laser lifting portfolio — alongside Fotona 4D, SMOOTH lifting, endolifting and SmoothEye. In total, we have performed 25,931 laser treatments.

Source: Versum and Booksy reports, as at 30 June 2026.

04 — Technology · Nd:YAG PIANO Mode

How deep PIANO thermolifting works

Nd:YAG 1064 nm

A wavelength clinically confirmed to contract collagen and initiate the synthesis of new fibres.

Ultra-long PIANO pulse

An extended pulse available only on Fotona — even, high-volume heating of the dermis without damaging the epidermis.

Temperature 40–45°C

Reaching this temperature at the skin's surface warms the deeper fibres, contracting them and triggering neocollagenesis.

PIANO is Nd:YAG laser thermolifting. It differs from the SMOOTH mode (Er:YAG 2940 nm) — it works deeper and across a larger volume of tissue. We also offer generic 'facial thermolifting' using infrared technology — see NIR thermolifting.

05 — Indications

When it's worth having PIANO thermolifting

loss of skin density, firmness and elasticityloss of facial contour uneven skin texturemedium and deep wrinkles, nasolabial folds loss of abdominal skin elasticity after pregnancy or weight lossdouble reduction of fullness under the chin treatment of fresh scars (e.g. post-surgical)

WHAT WE TREAT

What PIANO Thermolifting helps with

It works a little differently in this case — below we describe exactly what it does.

Sagging and loss of facial contour

An ultra-long Nd:YAG pulse, a mode available only on Fotona systems. Energy is distributed evenly deep within the tissue instead of concentrating at a single point, producing volumetric heating of the dermis. The treatment is comfortable for most patients and involves no downtime, but the effect builds up over a course of sessions rather than a single visit.

Choosing between PIANO thermolifting (Nd:YAG laser) and NIR thermolifting (infrared)? Book a consultation and we'll help you choose the right technology.

Book a consultation

08 — Scientific Research

What the research shows about Nd:YAG 1064 nm thermolifting

The long-pulse 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser is one of the best-studied non-ablative skin-firming methods. The studies below relate to Nd:YAG technology — the mechanism shared by PIANO mode. Source: PubMed.

Nd:YAG · 45% reduction

Wrinkles and elasticity

Four weeks after a course of long-pulse Nd:YAG treatments, the average wrinkle score fell by 45.1%, skin elasticity improved significantly, and histology confirmed an increase in collagen and elastic fibres.

PubMed →

Nd:YAG · 2/4/6 months

Durability of the effect

A study of non-ablative, long-pulse 1064 nm Nd:YAG assessed wrinkle reduction at 2, 4 and 6 months, documenting progressive improvement over time.

PubMed →

Nd:YAG · histology

New collagen with no damage to the epidermis

Non-ablative 1064 nm Nd:YAG remodelling induces the formation of new collagen in the dermis without damaging the epidermis.

PubMed →

The cited studies relate to 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser technology in general, not to a specific device brand. The number of sessions is set individually by a specialist; results may vary.

09 — The Treatment Session

What a PIANO thermolifting session looks like

The treatment itself involves exposing the chosen area to Nd:YAG pulses to warm the skin evenly and deeply, following a specific protocol. The key is reaching a temperature of 40–45°C at the skin's surface, which warms the collagen fibres in the deeper layers and stimulates neocollagenesis. The laser runs for around 20 minutes and is comfortable for most patients — you'll feel a pleasant warmth. Afterwards, redness may appear, lasting up to an hour at most; there is no peeling and no downtime. The treatment can be carried out all year round.

Medical history

The specialist rules out contraindications and plans the treatment areas.

Heating protocol

Nd:YAG exposure to reach 40–45°C at the skin's surface.

Neocollagenesis

Deep collagen fibres contract and are stimulated to rebuild.

Straight back to your day

Redness for up to an hour; no peeling and no downtime.

10 — Aftercare

Aftercare advice — PIANO thermolifting

The treatment involves no downtime. Redness from the thermal heating lasts up to an hour at most. Even so, it's worth taking good care of your skin over the following days.

Protect from the sun (SPF 50+)

For at least 4 weeks, keep the treated area out of the sun and use a high-factor sunscreen.

Avoid heat and exertion

For 5 days, skip the sauna and intense exercise that dilates blood vessels.

Gentle skincare

Use gentle cleansers and soothing creams; avoid exfoliants and alcohol-based toners.

Keep skin hydrated

Good hydration supports the lifting effect between sessions.

Results build for up to 12 months

Wrinkles soften gradually for a year after the first session — stick with the full course.

This is general information for educational purposes. Detailed advice is given by your specialist; results and healing vary from person to person.

11 — Gallery · Clinic and Treatment

See the clinic and the process — PIANO thermolifting

Real photos from our Velvet Skin Clinic locations in Warsaw (Świętokrzyska — City Centre, Niepodległości — Mokotów).

A treatment room in our clinic.

The Fotona laser platform (Nd:YAG).

The treatment in progress — laser exposure.

The Velvet Skin Clinic reception.

PIANO™ Laser Thermolifting — PIANO laser lifting: thermolifting, firming and skin remodelling — PIANO laser lifting – thermolifting, firming and skin remodelling

PIANO™ Laser Thermolifting — PIANO laser lifting — PIANO laser lifting

PIANO™ Laser Thermolifting — The PIANO laser lifting process — The PIANO laser lifting process

12 — Pricing and Parameters

PIANO Laser Thermolifting — price in Warsaw

The price depends on the area treated. A single session already gives a firming effect, but a course of 3–5 (up to 6) sessions every 4–6 weeks is recommended for a full, lasting result. We plan the course at your consultation.

Key parameters

Who performs it

Physician or cosmetologist

Duration

60 minutes

Number of sessions

3–6 per course

Price

from 500 zł

Full price list or book a consultation →

13 — Related Therapies and Alternatives

Contraindications for Fotona treatments

Every case is assessed individually by a specialist. Alongside temporary contraindications (recent tanning, retinoids, antibiotics, cold sores), the following absolute contraindications apply:

pregnancy and breastfeeding

recent tanning (sun, sunbed, self-tanner) — avoid for 2–4 weeks before the treatment

photosensitising medication (retinoids, oral tetracyclines) — discontinue 6 months beforehand

photosensitising herbs (St John's wort, marigold) — discontinue 2–3 weeks beforehand

active skin conditions (psoriasis, lichen planus), active cold sores

a tendency to keloid or hypertrophic scarring

blood clotting disorders, blood-thinning medication

steroid treatment (oral or topical)

conditions that rule out laser therapy: cancer, epilepsy, uncontrolled diabetes, vitiligo, HIV, hepatitis, autoimmune diseases

a cardiac pacemaker

implants or tattoos at the treatment site

mental health conditions, depression (including antidepressant medication)

16 — Questions and Answers

Frequently Asked Questions — PIANO thermolifting

What is PIANO laser thermolifting?

PIANO is an ultra-long-pulse Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser mode available only on the Fotona system. It heats the dermis evenly and in high volume to 40–45°C, contracting collagen fibres and stimulating their renewal. The result is a lifting and firming effect with no damage to the epidermis.

How does PIANO differ from NIR thermolifting?

PIANO is laser thermolifting (Nd:YAG 1064 nm), working precisely and deeply. NIR thermolifting uses infrared technology (a different device). Both methods firm the skin with no downtime — the specialist chooses the right technology at your consultation, depending on your needs and the area treated.

How does PIANO differ from SMOOTH lifting?

SMOOTH is an Er:YAG laser (2940 nm) that works from the epidermis down to the dermis using a triple pulse. PIANO is Nd:YAG (1064 nm), for high-volume, deep heating of a larger tissue volume. PIANO works well for medium and deep wrinkles and for fresh scars.

Does PIANO thermolifting hurt?

The treatment is comfortable for most patients — you'll feel a pleasant warmth. Afterwards, redness may appear for up to an hour at most. There's no peeling and no downtime, so you can get straight back to your daily activities.

How many PIANO sessions are needed, and when will I see results?

A single session already gives a firming effect, but a course of 3–5 (up to 6) sessions every 4–6 weeks is recommended for a full, lasting result. Wrinkles soften gradually for up to 12 months after the first session, as collagen rebuilds.

How much does PIANO thermolifting cost?

Prices start from 500 zł and depend on the area treated. We confirm the exact price at your consultation. You'll find the full price list on our pricing page, and you can book a consultation online or by phone.

17 — Who Performs the Treatments

Treatments are performed by our cosmetologists

Treatments at Velvet Skin Clinic are performed by certified cosmetologists with many years of experience in laser therapy, hi-tech devices and skincare treatments. After your consultation, we match the method and the specialist to your skin and your goals.