Why Choose Picoway for your Laser Tattoo Removal

You spent A LOT of time deciding on the colour, size, and shape of that piece you had inscribed on your body. You waited for the right artist and spent the money required to finally get it done. However, things change in life and what you once loved now needs to come off. Remember to now spend the same attention to having it removed!

Not all laser technologies are equal. But how do you decide which laser tattoo removal to use when every one of them states that they are "Gold Standard" or "The Best" available? Let us help you better understand a few key important points about lasers and why PicoWay is really the only one you should try.

Not all laser technologies are equal. But how do you decide when every one of them states that they are “Gold Standard” or “The Best” available?  Let us help you better understand a few key important points about lasers.

What Is A Laser?

Scientifically speaking it “is a device that generates an intense beam of coherent monochromatic light by stimulated emission of photons from excited atoms or molecules”.  Whew!!  What does that mean?!?  A laser is attracted to pigment (colour), whether that is in tattoo ink, hair follicles, lesions or skin!  The colour of your skin and the colour of your ink are the two most important factors when evaluating which laser technology you should trust to take off your tattoo.

Skin colour: It absolutely matters in this case!  “The classification known as the Fitzpatrick skin type (or phototype) depends on the amount of melanin (pigment) in the skin. This is determined by constitutional colour (white, brown or black skin) and the result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (tanning). Pale or white skin burns easily and tans slowly and poorly: it needs more protection against sun exposure. Darker skin burns less and tans more readily. It is also more prone to develop post-inflammatory pigmentation after injury (brown marks).”

Skin Types 4 (except Asian ethnicity), 5 and 6 should only ever be treated with a 1064 nm (nanometres) (Nd Yag) wavelength laser. The risk of using a 755 nm (Alexandrite) on these skin types are hyperpigmentation (dark spots) or Hypo-pigmentation (lightened spots).

The 1064nm penetrate deeper into the epidermis, therefore, reducing the risk of hypo and hyper pigmentation.

The 1064nm wavelength is THE most effective laser for black and dark coloured inks. Using a lower wavelength decreases the efficacy and thereby requiring more treatments which equal more cost.

532nm wavelength treats yellows, oranges and reds.  Whites cannot be treated with lasers. Why? No pigment.

755-785 nm wavelengths treat light blues and greens.

Remember To Make Sure That The Technology You Choose Is Right For Your Skin Type and Ink Colour!

Other laser requirements.

Physics lesson: this means the shorter the pulse duration the greater the shattering of ink particles. (photo-acoustic vs. photo-thermal)

Picosecond lasers (one trillionth of a second) are more effective than nanosecond lasers (one billionth of a second). The nanosecond is your q-switch lasers.

Picosecond lasers will shatter ink particles into smaller sizes allowing your body’s natural processes to excrete them more readily and more effectively.  This process can take up 8 weeks to be complete.

Picosecond vs Nanosecond Lasers

Because of the pulse duration, picosecond lasers work with a photo-acoustic mechanism which means there is a strong absorption of laser light creating a greater shattering effect with little to no thermal damage (heat) therefore reducing risks of scarring and excessive discomfort.  Nanosecond lasers work with a photothermal mechanism which uses heat to break up ink particles increasing the risk of scarring and discomfort.

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