How Pico Laser can help with tattoo removal
Every tattoo is different in its ink, depth and history, which is why tattoo removal is planned around your specific tattoo rather than a standard process.
Quick answer
Pico laser breaks tattoo ink into smaller fragments for the body to clear gradually, and is one of two laser routes for tattoo removal alongside Q-switched Nd:YAG. How your tattoo responds depends on its ink colours, depth, your skin and any previous work, so no fixed number of sessions or guaranteed fading can be promised in advance.
How Pico Laser works on tattoo removal
Pico laser's very short pulses are well suited to breaking down tattoo ink, and the pigments used in tattoos vary widely in composition and how they sit in the skin, which is why response differs from tattoo to tattoo and even within different colours in the same piece. Darker inks and certain colours tend to respond differently to lighter or more unusual pigments, and cosmetic pigments in particular can behave unpredictably.
Your practitioner will look at the specific colours, density and age of your tattoo, along with your skin and any previous removal attempts, before discussing what a realistic approach looks like. This assessment matters more for tattoo removal than for most other concerns, because so much depends on the ink itself rather than the laser alone.
Who Pico Laser suits for tattoo removal (and when another option may fit better)
Pico laser is one of two laser routes offered for tattoo removal, alongside Q-switched Nd:YAG, and which is more appropriate can depend on the tattoo's colours and how it's expected to respond. It's also used for permanent makeup (PMU) removal, where similar considerations around pigment and previous work apply.
Tattoos with a complicated history, such as previous cover-ups, multiple layers of ink, or unusual cosmetic pigments, need particularly careful assessment, since these factors can make removal less predictable. Your practitioner will talk through what's realistic for your specific tattoo rather than quoting a general outcome that applies to tattoos generally.
What a course looks like at Naomi Waite Aesthetics
Tattoo removal is one of the more variable treatments to plan, because so much depends on the individual tattoo, so your practitioner won't commit to an exact number of sessions before assessing it in person. A course is built around your tattoo's ink, size and how it responds as treatment progresses, with review points along the way.
Sessions are spaced to allow your skin and the treated ink time to respond between visits, and your practitioner will keep you updated on how things are progressing and what to expect from further sessions as your course continues.
Pico Laser compared with other options for tattoo removal
Pico laser and Q-switched Nd:YAG are the two laser routes for tattoo removal offered here; the table below sets out the broad distinction, and your practitioner will confirm which suits your tattoo.
Aftercare after Pico Laser for tattoo removal
Treated tattoo skin needs particular care while it heals: keep the area clean and protected, avoid picking at any surface changes, and keep it out of direct sun, since UV exposure to treated skin can affect both healing and how the pigment continues to fade.
Your practitioner will give you specific aftercare instructions for your tattoo and its location, and these should be followed closely between sessions, since how well the area is cared for can influence your course as a whole.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the questions we're asked most often about Pico laser for tattoo removal.
Related guides
See our tattoo removal hub and the Q-switched Nd:YAG page linked below for the other laser route available.
Book a consultation
To have your tattoo properly assessed, book a consultation with Naomi Waite Aesthetics.
Pico laser and Q-switched Nd:YAG both work by breaking down tattoo ink, using different pulse durations to do so. Neither can be described as universally better, since how well each responds depends on your tattoo's specific ink colours, depth and history.
| Aspect | Pico Laser | Q-switched Nd:YAG 532/1064 |
|---|---|---|
| Pulse duration | Picosecond pulses | Nanosecond pulses |
| Wavelengths | Wavelength approach confirmed with your practitioner | 532 nm and 1064 nm, chosen for different ink colours |
| Also used for | Tattoo removal, PMU removal, selected pigmentation | Tattoo removal, PMU removal, selected pigmentation |
| Response depends on | Ink colour/composition, depth, skin type, previous work | Ink colour/composition, depth, skin type, previous work |
Frequently asked questions
Pico laser breaks tattoo ink into smaller fragments that the body clears gradually, and it's a well-established route for tattoo removal. How well it works depends on your tattoo's specific ink colours, depth and history, so we can't promise complete removal or a guaranteed result for every tattoo.
There's no fixed number that applies to every tattoo, since ink colour, density, depth and any previous work all affect how many sessions are likely to be needed. Your practitioner will assess your specific tattoo at consultation and give you a realistic sense of what to expect, reviewed as your course progresses.
Suitability depends on your skin, your tattoo's ink and its history, and this is checked individually rather than assumed. A consultation lets your practitioner assess your specific tattoo and skin before any plan is made.
Sensation varies between people and by the area and size of the tattoo being treated, and your practitioner can talk you through what to expect and any comfort measures used. This is best discussed directly with the clinic.
Ink clears gradually as the body processes the fragmented pigment, and the pace varies enormously between tattoos depending on colour, depth and history, so we won't quote a fixed timeline. Your practitioner will discuss realistic expectations for your specific tattoo at consultation.
Neither is universally better; both work by breaking down ink using different pulse durations, and which suits your tattoo depends on its specific colours and history. Your practitioner will assess your tattoo and recommend the appropriate route at consultation.
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