Pico laser in Lancaster
Whether you want to fade a tattoo, remove old permanent makeup or treat selected pigment, Pico laser is one of the clinic's specialist options. This page explains how it works and why every tattoo and pigment responds differently.
Quick answer
Pico laser is a picosecond laser that delivers very short pulses of energy to break tattoo ink and pigment into fragments, which the body then clears gradually. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics in Lancaster it is used for tattoo removal, permanent makeup (PMU) removal and selected pigmentation, following an assessment at consultation.
What is Pico laser?
Pico laser is a picosecond-domain laser platform. The name refers to its extremely short pulses, measured in picoseconds, which are trillionths of a second.
At the clinic it is used for tattoo removal, PMU removal and selected pigment concerns, as well as fractional skin applications where appropriate. It is not a facial, and it is a different technology from both hair-removal lasers and resurfacing lasers such as CO2.
How Pico laser works
Each very short pulse delivers high peak power to the ink or pigment in the skin. This produces a predominantly photoacoustic effect, breaking the pigment into smaller fragments.
Your body then clears the fragmented pigment naturally over time. That is why fading happens gradually, rather than straight after a session.
What Pico laser can help with
Pico laser may be considered for the concerns below. Your practitioner will assess your tattoo, PMU or pigment before recommending it.
- Tattoo removal
- Permanent makeup (PMU) removal
- Pigmentation, for selected types assessed at consultation
- Age spots, where assessed as suitable
Is Pico laser right for me?
How a tattoo or PMU responds depends on the pigment colour and composition, how deep it sits, your skin type and any previous treatment or cover-up work. Cosmetic pigments used in PMU can behave unpredictably, so they are assessed carefully before any treatment.
For pigmentation, straightforward sun-related pigment is very different from complex pigment such as melasma, which we do not promise to clear with laser. Your practitioner will explain whether Pico, Q-switched laser or another route suits you best.
What happens during treatment
At your consultation, your practitioner looks at the tattoo, PMU or pigment, asks about its history and your medical background, and explains how treatment would be approached and how comfort is managed.
On the day, the area is prepared and the laser is passed over it in short pulses. Your aftercare is explained before you leave.
Downtime and aftercare
How your skin reacts after Pico depends on the area, the pigment and your skin, so we do not give a fixed recovery time. Your practitioner will talk you through what to expect.
You will be given aftercare to follow, based on these principles:
- Follow your written aftercare as advised
- Protect the treated area from the sun
- Do not pick or scratch the treated skin
- Contact the clinic if anything concerns you
How Pico laser differs from other lasers
Pico is often confused with other lasers. It is different from the long-pulsed lasers used for hair removal and from ablative resurfacing lasers such as CO2 and Er:YAG. The clinic's Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is also used for tattoo and PMU removal, and differs from Pico in its pulse duration.
Results
We do not promise complete tattoo or PMU removal, because response depends on the ink, its depth, your skin and any previous work. Your practitioner will give you an honest view of what fading is realistic.
Where we show before and after photographs, they are of real clients, not stock or manufacturer images.
Pico laser prices in Lancaster
The cost of Pico laser depends on the size and nature of the tattoo, PMU or pigment being treated. Current prices are listed on our prices page, and your practitioner will confirm the cost for your plan at consultation.
Pico laser: frequently asked questions
The questions people ask most before booking Pico laser. Anything else can be covered at your consultation.
Related treatments and guides
These pages cover related concerns and the other tattoo and pigment option at the clinic.
- Q-switched Nd:YAG laser
- Tattoo removal
- PMU removal
- Pigmentation
- Age spots
How Pico laser differs from hair-removal and resurfacing lasers
| Feature | Pico laser | Long-pulsed hair-removal lasers | CO2 and Er:YAG resurfacing lasers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Tattoo and PMU removal, selected pigmentation | Long-term reduction of pigmented hair | Resurfacing for texture, lines and scarring |
| What it acts on | Tattoo ink and pigment | Melanin in pigmented hair | Skin tissue |
| How it works | Very short pulses, predominantly photoacoustic fragmentation of pigment | Heat generated in the hair follicle | Controlled ablation of the skin |
Frequently asked questions
Pico laser is a picosecond laser that uses extremely short, high-powered pulses to break tattoo ink and pigment into fragments, which your body then clears over time. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics in Lancaster it is used for tattoo removal, permanent makeup removal and selected pigmentation, after an assessment at consultation. It differs from the clinic's Q-switched laser in pulse duration, and from hair-removal and resurfacing lasers in purpose.
Sensation varies with the area being treated, the size of the tattoo or pigment and your own comfort levels. Your practitioner will explain what to expect and how comfort is managed before treatment starts. If you are nervous, mention it at your consultation.
There is no fixed number, and we do not promise complete removal. Pigment colour and composition, depth, your skin type and any previous work all affect how a tattoo or PMU responds. Your practitioner will give you a realistic view at consultation and review progress with you as treatment goes on.
How your skin reacts varies with the area, the pigment and your skin, so we do not quote a fixed downtime. Your practitioner will explain what to expect and give you aftercare to follow, including protecting the area from the sun and not picking the skin. Your practitioner will talk you through what to expect for your specific tattoo, PMU or pigment.
Suitability depends on the tattoo, PMU or pigment being treated, your skin type, your medical history and your medications. Complex pigment such as melasma is not something we promise to clear with laser. Your practitioner will assess all of this and explain whether Pico, Q-switched laser or another option is right for you.
The price depends on the size and type of tattoo, PMU or pigment being treated. Current prices are on our prices page, and your practitioner will confirm the cost of your plan at your consultation in Lancaster. Because every tattoo and PMU responds differently, your plan is agreed only after your practitioner has assessed it.
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