If you've started researching tattoo removal, you've probably seen clinics talk about "pico" and "nano" lasers. It can sound like marketing, but there's a real difference, and it's worth understanding before you book anywhere.
How laser tattoo removal works
Tattoo ink sits in your skin as particles that are too big for your body to clear on its own. The laser sends very short pulses of light that the ink absorbs, breaking it into smaller pieces. Over the following weeks, your body clears those pieces away, and the tattoo fades. That's why removal happens over several sessions, with healing time in between.
The difference is speed
"Nano" and "pico" describe how short each laser pulse is:
- Nanosecond: a billionth of a second
- Picosecond: a trillionth of a second, about a thousand times shorter
Both are unimaginably fast. The difference is in how they hit the ink.
What nanosecond pulses are good at
Nanosecond lasers have been the standard for tattoo removal for decades. They deliver strong energy that works well on larger ink particles, like dense, dark black ink, and they're a reliable workhorse for many tattoos.
What picosecond pulses are good at
Because picosecond pulses are so much shorter, they break ink up with more of a shattering effect and less heat. That makes them good at breaking ink into much finer pieces, which helps with smaller particles, lighter colours and stubborn ink that hasn't budged with other treatments.
So which one is better?
Honestly? Neither one wins every time. Every tattoo has a mix of particle sizes, colours and depths, and those change as the tattoo fades. A pulse type that's perfect for your first session might not be the best choice later on.
That's why we chose the Cutera Enlighten III, which has both picosecond and nanosecond pulses. We can match the pulse to your ink, and change it as your tattoo changes, instead of being locked into one.
Colour matters too: wavelengths
Pulse speed is only half the story. Different ink colours absorb different wavelengths of light. The Enlighten III has three wavelengths, covering a wide range of colours, including black, stubborn reds and oranges, and greens and purples. We tune the settings to your skin, so it works on all skin tones, and we always start with a test spot.
What this means for you
- Ask any clinic which laser they use, and whether it has pico, nano or both.
- Ask which ink colours it treats well.
- Be careful with anyone who promises a set number of sessions before seeing your tattoo. Even the best laser can't change the fact that every tattoo and every body is different.
Cost and sessions
We don't give a set number of sessions, because every tattoo is different. Pigment, depth, age, placement, your goal and how your body heals all play a part. At your free consult we'll look at it together and give you an honest estimate.
Regular tattoo removal is priced per session by size, from $129, with 0% in-house financing available. See how our pricing works.
See how it all comes together on our laser tattoo removal page.