PicoSure Laser — Pigmentation & Tattoo Removal

PicoSure picosecond laser treatment for tattoo removal, skin revitalization, pigmentation correction, and acne scar improvement. Ultra-short picosecond pulses create a photoacoustic effect that shatters pigment particles with less thermal damage than conventional nanosecond lasers. Suitable for multi-colour tattoo removal, freckles, sunspots, and acne scars. Sessions typically 30 minutes. Tattoo removal may require 4–10 sessions; pigmentation correction 3–4 sessions.

PicoSure at Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness is a picosecond-pulse laser system manufactured by Cynosure that delivers energy in pulses measured in trillionths of a second — approximately 1,000 times shorter than the nanosecond pulses used by conventional Q-switched lasers. This ultra-short pulse duration creates a predominantly photoacoustic (pressure wave) interaction with pigment particles rather than a photothermal one: the intense pressure generated by the rapid energy deposition causes explosive fragmentation of pigment granules into much smaller particles that the body's lymphatic and immune systems can clear more efficiently than the coarser fragments produced by nanosecond lasers. The reduced thermal component means less collateral heat damage to surrounding tissue, which may translate to a lower risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) — a meaningful consideration for patients with Fitzpatrick III–IV skin tones common in the US patient population. For tattoo removal, PicoSure is effective across a broader spectrum of ink colours than many older lasers; the 755 nm wavelength targets black, dark blue, and green inks effectively, while additional wavelengths address red, orange, and yellow pigments. Tattoo removal typically requires 4–10 sessions spaced 6–8 weeks apart to allow the immune system to clear fragmented ink particles between appointments. For skin revitalization and pigmentation correction — solar lentigines, freckles, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and diffuse skin tone irregularities — 3–4 sessions are typically recommended. When a FOCUS diffractive lens array attachment is used, the PicoSure beam is fractionally split into thousands of micro-spots that create a laser-induced optical breakdown effect in the dermis, stimulating collagen remodelling for acne scar improvement and overall skin texture enhancement. Each session runs approximately 20–45 minutes depending on the area size. Mild redness and temporary darkening of treated pigment are expected post-treatment findings.