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Picoway The Complete Picosecond Laser

Picoway Tattoo Removal with The Picosecond Laser


Picoway Tattoo & Pigmentation Removal with The Complete Picosecond Laser

  • What is Picoway?

Picoway is a picosecond laser that is FDA cleared for treatment of tattoo removal and pigmentation. The laser selectively targets pigments in the skin. Pigment can be natural, like a dark spot that forms over time or it can be pigment that is added to the skin, like in the case of tattoos. The laser hits the pigment and shatters it into tiny particles that are no longer seen through the skin. The smaller fragments are then broken down in the body.

  • What can be treated with the Picoway laser?

Picoway is used at the Specialist Clinic, Cardiff for the treatment of tattoos and benign cutaneous pigmented lesions. The decision to treat with laser therapy is based upon diagnostic evaluation and consideration of all patient factors at the consultation.

  • What types of tattoos can be treated?

Many kinds of tattoos can be treated including professional, amateur, traumatic and even recalcitrant* tattoos. Often we treat tattoo’s covering older tattoos or a small part of a tattoo. Picoway*Recalcitrant tattoos are tattoos that have been proven to be resistant to nanosecond laser treatment. (*Results may vary between individuals)

  • Why does Picoway give faster clearance of tattoos

The Picoway laser has the ability to shatter the ink in the tattoo into smaller fractions so the body can get rid of the ink faster, therefore it tends to require fewer treatments and the tattoo will fade faster.

  • Picosecond V Nanosecond Lasers for Tattoo removal

The major difference between a Nanosecond and Picosecond device is the speed at which each device delivers energy. The much faster speed of the Picosecond results in faster removal of pigment, with less pain and faster healing/ recovery time.

  • Nanosecond (slower pulse) measured in nanoseconds, a billionth of a second
  • Picosecond (faster pulse) measured in picoseconds, a trillionth of a second

With both these lasers the laser delivers energy into the skin which creates a photoacoustic impact which breaks the pigment particles in tattoo ink, this shatters the ink into smaller particles which your body then removes. A nanosecond laser breaks up the ink into small particles and a Picosecond laser is able to break it into even smaller particles so they can be broken down even faster.

At Specialist Skin Clinic Cardiff we have both types of laser and our team are highly skilled in their use. We can advise the best treatment in each case. (*Results may vary between individuals)

  • What part of the body can be treated?

The Picoway has  a hand held delivery system and is capable of treating all areas of the body.

  • Is the Picoway safe for all skin types?

Picoway treatment is indicated for all skin types. Ideally, the wavelength selected for tattoo removal should be well absorbed by the tattoo pigment and less absorbed by other chromophores in the skin. Absorption of radiation by most pigments in amateur and professional tattoos is strong. By contrast, the surrounding skin containing melanin has a very broad absorption band. Other chromophores in the skin, such as blood, should have little to no absorption of light within the selected wavelength. Treatment of tattoos can therefore be performed with minimal adverse effects on normal skin structures. (*Results may vary between individuals)

  • What are the Picoway wavelengths?

The Picoway has two wavelengths  532 nm and 1064 nm. As laser light is selectively absorbed by the targeted pigment with minimal effect on the surrounding tissue. Picoway’s dual wavelengths enable removal of multi-colored tattoos, recalcitrant tattoos and benign pigmented lesions on any skin type.

  • What is the effect of the pulse duration on the efficacy of tattoo removal?

To be effective, the laser pulse duration should be shorter than the thermal relaxation time of the target absorbing the laser radiation to confine the thermal damage and spare surrounding skin structures. Picoway’s ultra-short picosecond pulse allows a strong photoacoustic impact. This is  needed to fracture pigment particles into smaller particles than other lasers, using lower energies. This results in  better clearance in fewer treatments. (*Results may vary between individuals)

The relaxation time of a target is determined by its size. Fragmenting the absorber into smaller particles enables the phagocytes in the blood to more effectively dispose of the fragmented particulates. Because the wavelength and pulse duration of the laser are closely controlled, treatment of pigmented lesions and tattoos can be achieved with minimal energy. The result is a reduced risk of adverse effects on skin structures.

  • Facts to use
  • 40% shorter picosecond pulses mean effective, yet lower energy for less risk of side effects.
  • 86% of tattoos had good clearance in just 3 treatments
  • The clear solution for tattoo removal, Picoway treats the widest range of tattoo colors, in fewer treatments with better results and less discomfort. (*Results may vary between individuals)

Picoway for skin Pigmentation

  • How is  Picoway used  for Skin Pigmentation.

Some types of skin pigment will respond well to traditional lasers and others will need treatments using a faster delivery such as nanosecond or picosecond lasers. It is important to understand the type of pigment and how it is formed to enable the operator to assess which laser is the best. The Picoway laser was added to the Specialist skin clinic, Cardiff as it is the latest technology available for the treatment of pigmentation.

  • What is Picoway Resolve

The laser beam in Picoway Resolve is formed from the same beam used in Picoway, but it is split into over 100 identical beams, or “beamlets”. These “beamlets” reach below the skin in areas that are evenly spaced apart. Because the laser is so fast and powerful, it leads to tiny areas under the skin vaporizing using a non-thermal (not heating) effect, called a “photoacoustic” effect. This treatment can be used for pigmentation for a more gentle and conservative approach. The treatment does not cause the outer layer of the skin to break, so patients experience no to low downtime after treatment. (*Results may vary between individuals)

  • What types of pigmented lesions can be treated?

Pigmented lesions that can be treated with Picoway include, but are not limited to the following:

Solar or Senile Lentigines, Freckles (Ephelides), Café au lait, Nevus of Ota, Beckers Nevus. Laser Skin Toning, is also useful in patients with pigmented skin. (*Results may vary between individuals)

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Specialist Skin Clinic
10 Penlline Road
Whitchurch
Cardiff
CF14 2AD

To book an appointment

T: 02920 617690

F: 02920 621209