Laser Tattoo Removal with PicoSure
Many people view tattoos as permanent markings on the skin, despite that fact that tattoo removal processes have been around for quite some time. These removal processes can be painful, ineffective towards certain inks, and require long durations of time, leading many to overlook the procedure. This is all changing with the PicoSure Laser.
What is the PicoSure Laser?
Since its approval by the FDA in 2012, the PicoSure Laser has been revolutionizing the current tattoo removal industry. With its advanced technology developed by Cynosure, PicoSure is the world’s first and only picosecond aesthetic laser. Using advanced pressure wave technology, this device is capable of transmitting pulses in trillionths of a second that are 100 times shorter than current nanosecond lasers. Ultimately this helps increase photomechanical impact to more efficiently remove tattoos.
How Does the Process Work?
If interested in the procedure, a consultation can be scheduled to learn if it is right for you. In many cases, treatment can occur directly following the consultation. During the beginning of the treatment, the PicoSure Laser’s energy is adjusted based on the amount of ink and patient’s skin type. The hand-held device is then hovered over the tattoo ink. As the PicoSure Laser is navigated over the ink, its ultra-short bursts of energy are emitted into the inked skin. This creates a photomechanical impact effect that causes the ink to break up into super fine particles. Once the ink is broken up into fragments within the skin, the body will remove it naturally in the following days.
After just one treatment, many patients are able to observe up to 75% removal of the ink. To ensure complete removal, 3-6 treatment sessions are generally needed. These sessions are typically 3-4 weeks apart to allow optimal time for the body to naturally remove the fragmented ink within the skin. It is important to note that PicoSure treatments can be used for tattoos of all sizes and colors and that it may cause a heating sensation but should feel no worse than the pain felt getting the initial tattoo.
How is PicoSure Different?
Photomechanical impact is the key science behind tattoo removal. With PicoSure’s advanced technology, the ink within tattoos is more easily broken up into tinier fragments. Smaller ink fragments are easier for the body to remove and therefore result in less treatment sessions. Unlike other lasers on the market, PicoSure can handle difficult to treat ink colors with less overall pain.