The Truth About Pico Lasers: What You Really Need to Know Before Choosing a Clinic

If you’ve been researching tattoo removal, you’ve probably come across the term “Pico laser.” It’s become a major buzzword in the industry, and understandably, clients often think asking, “Do you use a Pico laser?” is the key question when choosing a clinic.

But here’s the truth: that question alone doesn’t tell you much anymore.

Why “Pico” Isn’t the Whole Story

The term Pico simply refers to the speed at which the laser delivers each pulse of light, one trillionth of a second (a picosecond). That’s it. It describes how fast the laser fires, not how effective it will be on your specific tattoo.

Some modern machines can switch between both Pico (trillionth of a second) and Nano (billionth of a second) pulses, meaning they’re technically “Pico-capable” even if they’re not branded as “Pico” machines.

Understanding Wavelengths and Why They Matter

Here’s where it gets important:

Traditional Pico lasers like PicoSure or PicoWay use a wavelength of 755nm, which was a game-changer for removing blue and green inks, colours that are otherwise hard to break down.

However, not all Pico lasers have this wavelength. Many newer “Pico” systems on the market don’t include 755nm, meaning they won’t be effective on those tricky colours. So simply asking whether a clinic has a “Pico” laser doesn’t necessarily guarantee the results you’re hoping for.

What Really Determines Tattoo Removal Results

While technology plays a role, there’s far more that influences how well your tattoo responds to laser removal:

• The characteristics of the tattoo itself - colour, depth, density, and age of the ink

• The overall health and lifestyle of the client - circulation, immune system, and skin type

• The experience and knowledge of the laser operator - how they assess, space treatments, and adjust settings safely and effectively

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Honesty Over Hype

At Clean Skin Laser Tattoo Removal, we believe in transparency. Technically, our laser produces both Pico and Nano pulses - so yes, it’s Pico-capable, but we don’t market it that way because it’s not about buzzwords. It’s about results, safety, and honesty.

Some clinics may market aggressively using the term “Pico” to sound more advanced, but the reality is: both Pico and Nano lasers shatter ink particles in the same fundamental way, just using different pulse speeds.

The takeaway? Don’t get caught up in marketing jargon. Ask deeper questions, understand what wavelengths are available, and choose your clinic based on experience, transparency, and genuine care, not just a label.

Learn more about what type of laser we use at Clean Skin Laser Tattoo removal