What are the benefits of Pico laser tattoo removal?
- Faster results – can achieve faster tattoos fading and removal than older laser technologies
- Versatile – can effectively target various ink colours and tattoo types
- Minimal damage – much less likely to cause scarring or damage the surrounding skin tissue
- More comfortable – shorter treatment sessions with reduced discomfort make the Pico laser more tolerable
How does Pico laser tattoo removal work?
The cutting-edge Pico laser technology uses ultra-short pulses of laser energy to break down tattoo ink into tiny particles. Unlike traditional lasers, Pico lasers deliver energy in picoseconds, one trillionth of a second. This rapid energy shatters the ink particles without causing excessive heat, minimising damage to the surrounding skin tissue.
- Targeting the ink
The Pico laser emits specific light wavelengths which are absorbed by the tattoo pigments. Different ink colours absorb different wavelengths, allowing the laser to target a wide range of tattoo colours effectively.
- Fragmentation
When the laser energy reaches the ink particles, it breaks them into smaller fragments.
- Immune System Elimination
Once they are fragmented, the body’s immune system recognises the smaller ink particles as foreign substances and naturally eliminates them.
Tattoo removal assessment
We use the Kirby-Desai Scale to assess the estimated number of treatment sessions needed to remove a tattoo. This is widely used in dermatology and helps us determine the complexity of your tattoo removal based on specific criteria.
Each of the following criteria is given a score, ranging from 1 (easiest) to 5 (most difficult), and the scores are added together to estimate the total number of treatment sessions needed. The higher the score, the more sessions are likely to be required. It is important to note that the Kirby-Desai Scale provides an estimate and is not an exact science. Individual responses to tattoo removal can vary.
- Fitzpatrick skin type – this scale categorises skin types into six groups, based on their reaction to UV radiation and their tendency to develop pigmentation. The scale considers how the client’s skin type affects the ease of tattoo removal. Lighter skin types typically respond better to laser treatments.
- Location of the tattoo – this can impact the ease of removal. Tattoo on areas with more blood flow and faster cell turnover, such as the arms and legs, are usually easier to remove than other areas.
- Colour of the tattoo – we consider whether the tattoo consists of one or multiple colours and assess the ease of removing each colour. Black ink is typically the easiest to remove, while red, green and yellow can be more challenging.
- Amount of ink – larger tattoos with more ink will require more sessions for complete removal.
- Scarring or tissue change – tattoos that have been previously treated, scar tissue or other skin changes can make removal more challenging.
- Layering and cover-ups – if the tattoo has been layered or covered with additional ink, it can increase the complexity of the removal.
- Pre-existing scarring or skin conditions – any existing skin conditions or scarring in the tattoo area can affect the treatment plan for removal.
