What Wavelength is Best for Tattoo Removal?

How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work? 

The PicoSure® laser uses three different wavelengths of energy to remove your tattoo. It creates rapid pulses of energy that travel harmlessly through your skin and strike the tattoo pigments in the deeper layers. Tattoos stay in your skin because the pigment particles are too large for your immune system to remove. 

The three wavelengths of the PicoSure® laser break apart these pigment particles, shattering them into small pieces that can be removed by the body. Traditional lasers generate significant heat when they break up pigments, while PicoSure® maintains your comfort throughout treatment. 

What Wavelength is Best for Tattoo Removal? 

To understand which wavelength is best for tattoo removal, you should know how these wavelengths affect your tattoo pigments. Each wavelength from a laser is most effective against a particular range of colors. The single wavelength used by most lasers is highly effective against black and dark blue inks but does a poor job of removing brighter or more intense colors.

With three wavelengths, the PicoSure® laser can target the entire spectrum of tattoo colors. This property allows it to remove pigments other lasers can leave behind. The 532 nm wavelength removes yellow, orange and red ink colors; the 755 nm wavelength targets black, green and blue ink; and the 1064 nm wavelength removes black or dark blue shades. 

The PicoSure® system’s rapid pulses create minimal heat, keeping your skin comfortable and making this laser safe for all skin types and tones. Even darker-skinned individuals who may have been told they are not good candidates for laser tattoo removal can safely undergo treatment with PicoSure®.

What to Expect During Laser Tattoo Removal

If you have hesitated to try laser tattoo removal after hearing about someone else’s painful experience, the PicoSure® laser can relieve your concerns. You will feel little to no discomfort during your PicoSure® treatment. Some people report feeling warmth during the process, but the cooling system prevents excess heat. You may choose to have a numbing cream applied, especially in sensitive areas. The length of a treatment session may be as little as 15 minutes for a small tattoo and 30 minutes or more for a large one. 

Is There Any Downtime After Laser Tattoo Removal?

You can return to your usual activities after laser tattoo removal. While there is no downtime, you should protect your skin from sun exposure. You may experience some redness and swelling after treatment that will improve with ice. We will provide you with a five-day aftercare kit to apply to the area to control any peeling or crusting. Sun exposure can cause damage to your skin during healing, so avoid it as much as possible and wear quality sun protection.