What laser would be best for previous nanoshading of my brows? (Photos)

Question

Hello, My nanoshading brows are 6 months old trying to decide if I should use picoway or picosure lazor for them.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

This is a very common question, and the honest answer is that both PicoWay and PicoSure are excellent laser platforms for treating cosmetic eyebrow pigment. The "best" choice often depends less on the machine itself and more on the type of pigment that was used in your nanoshading procedure.

At six months post-treatment, your brows have had enough time to heal and stabilize, which is generally an appropriate time to consider removal if you're unhappy with the color, shape, or overall appearance.

PicoWay tends to be favored by many practitioners for cosmetic tattoo removal because it offers multiple wavelengths, allowing treatment of a wider range of pigment colors. This can be particularly helpful with eyebrow tattoos, where pigments may contain a mixture of black, brown, red, orange, or yellow components that become more apparent as treatment progresses.

PicoSure can also be very effective, especially for darker pigments. However, some cosmetic tattoo inks can be more challenging depending on the pigment composition and how deeply the color was implanted.

One important thing to understand is that eyebrow pigment removal can be somewhat unpredictable. Some pigments lighten beautifully, while others may temporarily shift colors during the removal process. For example, certain iron oxide-containing pigments can turn reddish, orange, or gray before they eventually fade. This doesn't necessarily mean the treatment failed—it is simply part of the way some pigments respond to laser energy.

When I evaluate a case like yours, I usually focus on:

The color of the current pigment
Whether the pigment has already faded naturally
The brand and ingredients of the ink, if known
Your skin tone
Your history of pigmentation issues or scarring

If I had to choose based solely on technology, I would generally give a slight advantage to PicoWay because of its versatility in treating the various colors that may emerge during cosmetic tattoo removal. That said, an experienced laser provider using either PicoWay or PicoSure can often achieve excellent results.

The most important factor is not necessarily which laser is in the room, but whether the provider has extensive experience specifically with eyebrow tattoo and nanoshading removal, since these treatments require a different approach than traditional body tattoo removal.

What laser would be best for previous nanoshading of my brows? (Photos)

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