Are Picosure, PicoWay, Picosecond and Candela/Syneron the same laser for remove a black tattoo?

They are three different manufacturers using picosecond technology. However there are differences in wavelength. All three will work on black ink. The picosure was the first ont to market and has the largest database. All black ink is not the same and one may work better than the others. The number of sessions varies from 4-6 .The longer between sessions 8-10 weeks improves the efficacy of the tattoo removal process.

Dear Catrina7,

Thank you for your clinical post and question. The class of lasers you are investigating are
called picosecond lasers. These are the
shortest pulse durations on the market for removal of tattoo ink. The shorter the pulse duration the more
photoacoustic effect the more efficacious the reduction of the ink granules,
the more likely for a quick removal with less risk of recalcitrant or resistant
ink. The picosecond generation of lasers also have less photothermal effects,
so the risk of hypopigmentation is less.
So in summary, the picosecond laser can remove a tattoo in fewer
treatments with less risk of hypopigmentation and less risk of recalcitrant or
resistant ink.

There are different types of
picosecond lasers. The three most common
are the PicoSure from Cynosure, PicoWay from Syneron Candela and the Enlighten
from Cantera. The Syneron Candela and
Cantera picoseconds have a 1064 nm wavelength and a 532 nm wavelength of laser
light in the picosecond pulse duration.
The Cynosure PicoSure laser has 755 nm and 532 nm. The 532 nm wavelength the picosecond light is
good for your red, orange and yellow colours whereas the 1064 is good for
black, green and black ink on dark skin.
The 755 nm wavelength of picosecond laser energy found in the PicoSure
is probably more efficacious at removing black, dark green than the 1064 laser
on light skin, but is the clear victor for blue and yellow.

In the final analysis, most good
laser physicians can make a picosecond laser whether it be a PicoSure, PicoWay
or Enlighten work. You need to see a
very experienced picosecond centre to ensure the best outcome. I have both the PicoSure and the PicoWay as
well as 5 nanosecond lasers and can generally ensure most patients will get the
best possible permanent reduction in the fewest number of treatments. Generally, picosecond lasers can be applied
once every 4-6 weeks as there is less photothermal effect and inflammation than
the older Q-switch nanosecond laser such as the RevLite.

I hope this information is of some
assistance and best of luck.

To find out more, please visit the
link below.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto