Laser Tattoo Removal

Laser tattoo removal using picosecond and Q-switched laser technology to fragment tattoo ink particles for clearance by the immune system. Picosecond pulses shatter ink into smaller fragments than nanosecond Q-switched systems, potentially reducing the number of sessions required for complete clearance. The DESCRIBE PFD Patch ($95 add-on) allows same-session multi-pass treatment. Available at StudioMD's SoHo and Midtown Manhattan locations.

Laser tattoo removal at StudioMD uses a combination of picosecond laser technology and Q-switched lasers to fragment tattoo pigment particles into fragments small enough for macrophage phagocytosis and lymphatic clearance. Conventional Q-switched lasers deliver nanosecond pulses (10⁻⁹ seconds) that shatter ink particles through photoacoustic shock wave generation. Picosecond lasers deliver pulses approximately 100 times shorter (10⁻¹² seconds), generating a more intense photoacoustic effect that further fragments ink particles into significantly smaller debris — a process called photomechanical disruption rather than predominantly photothermal fragmentation. Smaller ink particle fragments are more efficiently phagocytosed by macrophages and cleared through the lymphatic system, potentially reducing the total number of sessions required for complete ink clearance compared to Q-switched-only treatment. Multiple wavelengths address different ink colours: 1064 nm for black and dark blue, 532 nm for red and warm colours, and optional wavelengths for green and other resistant pigments. StudioMD also offers the DESCRIBE PFD (perfluorodecalin) patch as a $95 add-on; PFD temporarily reduces the whitening (frosting) response that usually limits each session to a single pass, allowing multiple laser passes in a single appointment and potentially accelerating the treatment course. Per-session pricing varies by tattoo size, colour complexity, and ink density; market range in NYC is approximately $150–$500 per session. Multiple sessions are required — typically 6 to 12 for a professional black tattoo, fewer for amateur or single-colour work. Sessions are spaced six to eight weeks apart to allow ink clearance between treatments.