PicoSure
PicoSure Review
PLEASE NOTE: Advanced Dermatology does not provide tattoo removal treatments. This article is for education and information purposes only.
PicoSure is a tattoo removal laser treatment that is quick and effective. This FDA approved treatment successfully removes difficult ink colours, such as blue and green, faster than any other method. Pulses are created that target the ink in the skin and shatters it. These pulses last one trillionth of a second and are 100 times faster than a nanosecond laser. The shattered ink will then be able to be eliminated by the body. Tattoos of a wide variety and ink colours can be removed using this technology, with black, red, and dark blue colours being the easiest to remove. Picosure can also remove portions of tattoos, as this treatment can precisely target very small areas of skin without effecting surrounding skin.
What areas can PicoSure treat? How many treatments will an individual need?
PicoSure can be used to treat the chest, the face, the decollete, hands, legs and other body parts. Each individual will need a different number of treatments, as this will be based off how big the tattoo is, what colours were used for the tattoo, how deep the ink is, and if any previous treatments have been done before. Generally speaking, for most individuals, this will be about 3 to 6 treatments. Some individuals will be able to see a difference in just after one treatment, however, for others, it may take a few treatments to notice any difference. It will generally take about 6 weeks for the body to begin breaking down the tattoo ink. The treatments should not be done sooner than 6 weeks, as even though the treated skin looks healed, it is not, and this will not make the tattoo be removed any sooner. In fact it could make the skin scar if treated sooner than 6 weeks.
Treatments are done in a quick fashion. For small tattoos, a single treatment takes about 10 to 15 minutes, medium sized tattoos will take about 15 to 25 minutes, and large tattoos will take 25 to 35 minutes.
Does PicoSure hurt? Will there be limitations after having the procedure done?
PicoSure treatments do not have much pain associated with them. Often times the tattoo is numbed or chilled with cold air. The pain felt is often comparable to the snapping of a rubber band. Others have compared it to getting a tattoo. Most will tolerate the pain quite well. Each session generally lasts about 15 minutes, but may be longer depending on how big the tattoo is.
An individual should limit any physical activity 24 to 48 hours after having a PicoSure treatment. Sun exposure should also be avoided during the treatments until the skin is completely healed.
What will the area treated look like after a treatment session of PicoSure?
After a treatment of PicoSure, the skin may appear to be red and swollen. There is also the possibility of some bleeding of the skin. Some will even experience small blisters on the skin. Typically the skin will stay red and swollen for only a few hours but could last for a few days. The skin will feel like it has a mild sunburn. Should scabs form on the area, it is important to not pick at them. If blisters do pop on their own, it is suggested that the skin be covered after applying a healing ointment to help protect against infections and scarring. Rarely is there any damage done to the skin using PicoSure.
What are the benefits to using PicorSure for tattoo removal? Are there any disadvantages?
Typically, using PicoSure to remove tattoos does not leave any scars. One of the disadvantages and a very rare occurrence is that some individuals may develop keloids, which are abnormal scars.