Picosure Laser
Tattoo Removal

While all lasers have the easiest time with black, and the hardest time with all of the other colors, the new Picosure laser with picosecond technology erases all tattoos of all colors much faster, and with less pain, than other lasers. Reds are the most difficult to remove, and the second most difficult are blues and greens, but Picosure does them better than older technology.

Generally speaking, waiting 4 to 6 weeks between treatments is more typical, since it may take a few weeks for the pigment disintegrated by each treatment to be absorbed fully by your body, making you ready to get the most out of the following treatment. Treating too close together may also increase the risk of marks being left on your skin, and may cost more in the long run. However, that said, it may also rid you of your tattoo faster, if your tattoo and skin type can handle the frequent treatments. Other factors that may affect how long the doctor recommends waiting include the size of your tattoo and the location on your body, since larger tattoos and tattoos further away from the heart at the ends of the limbs may both take longer for your body to absorb.

For many patients, the feeling of laser tattoo removal has been compared to what it feels like when getting a tattoo, however it is very fast. Your practitioner will work with you on the best comfort option based on your individual situation.

The number of laser treatments needed for tattoo removal is dependent on a number of variables such as ink type, size of the tattoo, location on the body, how many colors are in the tattoo, scarring in the area, density of the ink, amateur vs professional tattoo, type of laser used, lifestyle habits, own immune system etc. During your consultation, a practitioner will evaluate your tattoo and recommend a realistic treatment regime to help you achieve the best results.

While it typically takes 4-8 weeks for the body to absorb the ink particles, every patient and tattoo responds differently. Generally treatments are 6-8 weeks apart, to allow for skin recovery and also the physiological processes to eliminate the ink from the tissue.

You may see an immediate slight whitening or “frosting” of the skin, however that will subside immediately after the treatment is complete. Other effects include mild swelling and redness.

Until the launch of PicoSure, Q-Switched lasers had been considered the gold standard for removing tattoos. Q-Switched laser treatments use thermal energy to heat up and break apart the ink particles. Now with PicoSure, ultra-short pulses hit the ink particle with a pressure so great, the ink shatters into tiny dust-like particles. Because the particles are so small, they are more readily absorbed and eliminated by the body. PicoSure has been proven success in treating even dark, stubborn blue and green inks, as well as previously-treated, stubborn tattoos that were not successfully cleared in the past.

Tattoos can be lightened in preparation for a cover-up tattoo.

Traditional tattoo removal laser technology uses nanosecond pulses of energy directed at specific colors. This pulse is long enough to generate heat in the tissue, which is why it hurts, and also why some scarring can occur from heat damage. When the pulse of energy is shortened to only a picosecond, there is not as much time for the surrounding tissues to collect heat, so there is less chance of any scarring and more effective disbursement of broken-up pigment particles that your body just will absorb. Better results, fewer treatments, less pain, less scarring, and more effective on difficult colours.

Most patients report minimal discomfort during the treatment. The sensation is often described as similar to a rubber band snapping against the skin. We can apply a topical numbing cream if needed to enhance your comfort.

PicoSure is highly effective on a wide range of colours, including traditionally difficult ones like blues and greens. However, some colours may respond better than others. We’ll assess your tattoo’s colours during the consultation to set realistic expectations.

PicoSure uses ultra-short laser pulses (measured in picoseconds) to shatter ink particles, unlike traditional lasers that use nanosecond technology. This results in faster ink breakdown, fewer treatments, and less risk of skin damage.

Yes, PicoSure can often successfully treat tattoos that have not responded well to other removal methods. The advanced technology can target ink particles that may have been resistant to previous treatments.

When performed by trained professionals like those at our Harley Street clinic, PicoSure Laser Tattoo Removal has an excellent safety profile. The treatment is FDA-cleared and has undergone extensive clinical testing. However, as with any medical procedure, it’s crucial to have your treatment performed by qualified experts to ensure safety and optimal results.