Laser Tattoo Removal (PicoSure + Full Nanosecond Array)

Tattoo removal using PicoSure picosecond alexandrite laser plus a full array of nanosecond Q-switched lasers to remove all ink colors. PicoSure generates ultra-short picosecond pulses for more efficient ink shattering and is associated with fewer sessions than conventional nanosecond devices. SkinCare Physicians contributed to the 2013 FDA approval of PicoSure. Removes professional, amateur, cosmetic, and medical tattoos.

SkinCare Physicians operates one of the most advanced tattoo removal programs in the Boston region, using PicoSure (Cynosure) — a picosecond alexandrite laser at 755 nm — alongside a full array of nanosecond Q-switched laser systems. The clinic's research center was directly involved in the clinical trial and regulatory pathway that led to the FDA's approval of PicoSure for tattoo removal in 2013, making SkinCare Physicians one of the earliest and most experienced centers in the country with this technology. Picosecond lasers like PicoSure deliver energy in pulse widths measured in trillionths of a second (10⁻¹² seconds), compared to the billionths-of-a-second (10⁻⁹ seconds) pulse widths of conventional Q-switched nanosecond lasers. This ultra-short pulse duration generates a predominantly photoacoustic (pressure-wave) effect rather than a photothermal one: the rapid thermal expansion of ink particles creates intense mechanical pressure that shatters them into vastly smaller fragments than nanosecond devices achieve. The smaller particle size enables the body's immune system to clear fragmented ink more rapidly, resulting in faster lightening per session and, for many tattoos, a reduction in the total number of sessions required compared to older Q-switch-only protocols. PicoSure's 755 nm wavelength is particularly effective for black, dark blue, and green inks. The clinic's nanosecond Q-switched laser array complements PicoSure by addressing the full color spectrum — red, orange, and yellow inks respond best to 532 nm Nd:YAG wavelengths unavailable on the 755 nm PicoSure. This multi-wavelength approach allows SkinCare Physicians to treat polychromatic tattoos comprehensively. Cosmetic tattoos (permanent makeup: eyeliner, eyebrows, lip liner) and medical tattoos (radiation field markers) are also treated. The number of sessions required depends on the tattoo's age, ink density, color complexity, depth, and the patient's immune activity; the Kirby-Desai Scale is used to estimate session counts at consultation.