How long after a pico laser treatment should I wait before getting a chemical peel?

That depends on the type of picosecond laser treatment and the reason you're undergoing it for.

For pigmentary issues where the laser performed is non-ablative (no burning of the skin layers), it is possible to do the chemical peel during the same session. This is synergistic and will improve outcomes when done together (and properly).

For the management of scars where a focused lens array is used to create ablative potential with picosecond lasers, it might be a good idea to perform the chemical peel 2 to 4 weeks later when the skin has properly healed; the fractional pico sessions can disrupt the skin barrier and result in inconsistent and excessive absorption of the acid which can produce burns.

Do discuss this with your doctor thoroughly to align expectations.

Pico laser penetrates the skin to kill off the melanin that causes these spots. Conversely, chemical peels remove the top layer of the skin to stimulate the growth of a new layer of skin [1]. Pico laser and chemical peels treat sun spots, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation and improve skin texture/tones [2]. Pico laser, however, is preferred when removing tattoos.

If you are getting both, an interval of 2 weeks will be sufficient for the skin sensitivity to subside. Alternatively, do the chemical peel first, then followed by the pico-laser 2 weeks later. In this way, the effects of the pico-laser may be enhanced after the skin has been refreshed by the chemical peeling.

References:

1. Landau M. Chemical peels. Clinics in Dermatology. 2008;26(2):200-208. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2007.09.012

2. Weiss RA, McDaniel DH, Weiss MA, Mahoney AM, Beasley KL, Halvorson CR. Safety and efficacy of a novel diffractive lens array using a picosecond 755 nm alexandrite laser for treatment of wrinkles. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2016;49(1):40-44. doi:10.1002/lsm.22577