ADVANCED LASER TATTOO REMOVAL TECHNOLOGY
CANDELA PICOWAY® LASER TECHNOLOGY
Ultra-short picosecond pulses and multiple wavelengths target a range of tattoo pigments and skin types.
WHAT IS A PICOSECOND LASER?
PicoWay® delivers laser energy in ultra-short pulses measured in picoseconds. This rapid energy delivery creates a photoacoustic effect that breaks tattoo pigment into smaller particles.
1
SECOND
ONE PICOSECOND
A picosecond is one trillionth of a second
WHY DOES PULSE DURATION MATTER?
PicoWay® delivers energy rapidly, creating a predominantly photoacoustic effect that targets tattoo pigment while limiting thermal interaction with surrounding tissue.
Picosecond Ultra-Short Pulse
Photoacoustic effect
Nanosecond Short Pulse
Photothermal effect
WHY DOES WAVELENGTH MATTER?
Different tattoo pigments absorb different wavelengths of laser light. PicoWay® offers four wavelengths with FDA-cleared tattoo-removal indications for different pigment colors and skin types.
1064 nm
Black | Dark
730 nm
Green | Blue
532 nm
Red | Yellow
How does tattoo removal work with different skin types?
PicoWay® has FDA-cleared indications for tattoo removal across Fitzpatrick skin types I–VI. The appropriate wavelength depends on both skin type and tattoo pigment.
Why Ink Stays
Every tattoo is different. Wavelength selection depends on your skin type, tattoo pigment, and individual treatment needs.
I
Very Fair Skin
1064 nm: Black, brown, green, blue + purple
532 nm: Red, yellow + orange
730/785 nm: Green + blue
II
Fair Skin
1064 nm: Black, brown, green, blue + purple
532 nm: Red, yellow + orange
730/785 nm: Green + blue
III
Light to medium skin
1064 nm: Black, brown, green, blue + purple
532 nm: Red, yellow + orange
730/785 nm: Green + blue
IV
Medium to olive/brown skin
1064 nm: Black, brown, green, blue + purple
730/785 nm: Green + blue
V
Brown skin
1064 nm: Black, brown, green, blue + purple
VI
Deeply pigmented skin
1064 nm: Black, brown, green, blue + purple
The laser is only part of the treatment
PicoWay® provides the technology. Treatment still requires selecting settings based on the tattoo, pigment, skin and individual treatment plan.
PICOWAY® TECHNOLOGY
Ultra-short pulses + multiple wavelengths
TRAINED SPECIALISTS
CLS & LSO Certified Technicians*
PERSONALIZED TREATMENT
Settings selected for the individual tattoo
Frequently ASKED QUESTIONS
What is PicoWay®?
PicoWay® is a picosecond laser system manufactured by Candela with FDA-cleared indications, which include tattoo removal and certain aesthetic and dermatologic treatments.
What does “picosecond” mean?
A picosecond is one trillionth of a second. PicoWay® delivers laser energy in ultra-short pulses measured in picoseconds.
Can PicoWay® treat different tattoo colors?
Yes. PicoWay® has FDA-cleared tattoo-removal indications for multiple colors, including black, brown, blue, green, purple, red, yellow, and orange. The indicated colors and skin types vary by wavelength.
Can PicoWay® be used on different skin types?
PicoWay® has tattoo-removal indications across multiple Fitzpatrick skin types. Its 1064 nm wavelength is cleared for tattoo removal in Fitzpatrick skin types I–VI for specified tattoo colors, while other wavelengths have different indications.
Is PicoWay® FDA approved?
PicoWay®is FDA-cleared for specified indications, including tattoo removal. I would consistently use FDA-cleared, rather than FDA-approved, throughout Rethink’s site.
Does PicoWay® remove a tattoo in one treatment?
Laser tattoo removal generally requires multiple treatments. The number varies based on the tattoo and individual response.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY. PERSONALIZED TREATMENT.
Start with a free consultation to learn how your tattoo, skin, and goals can shape your treatment plan.