PicoSure™ laser for tattoo removal and skin revitalization

The PicoSure™ laser is our primary laser for tattoo removal in Vancouver. Since the machine is so new, and so advanced, clients come to our Surrey clinic from all over the Lower Mainland for this treatment.

However, the technology itself, along with the Focus Lens Array attachment, can also be used for:

• Discoloured skin
• Sun spots
• Freckles
• Acne scars
• Wrinkles

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Laser tattoo removal works by causing ink that has been embedded into the skin to break apart. After coming apart, these smaller ink particles are then removed by the body’s immune system.

Tattoos fade gradually with multiple laser treatments. It is not currently possible to remove all tattoo ink in the skin with one treatment. But, PicoSure™ works faster than traditional tattoo removal with lasers.

The PicoSure™ laser does a much more thorough job at breaking apart tattoo ink particles. This is because of the way its laser light is delivered into the skin. It uses very, very short pulses (lasting just trillionths of a second). The pulses create pressure from energy, causing the ink to break into smaller particles than with traditional lasers. The smaller the ink particles, the easier it is for the body to remove them by the lymphatic system. The result is permanent tattoo removal with almost total clearance.

In the past, the ‘breaking apart’ of ink in the skin had to be done in increments, and by using heat. Imagine tattoo ink were a giant ‘rock boulder’ in the skin. The first treatment was like creating one ‘blast’ to break apart the so-called ‘boulder.’

Then, each smaller piece from the initial ‘blast’ had to be broken down in subsequent treatments.

This process would repeat until the ‘boulder’ would turn into very small ‘rocks’ – like ‘sand’ even.

The skin could then absorb the ink in that state. But, we couldn’t do too many ‘blasts’ at once. We also couldn’t create very high-heat ‘blasts,’ because that would damage skin.

With picosecond technology for laser tattoo removal, the ‘blasts’ to break apart the ‘boulders’ go much, much faster. They also happen without heating up the skin.

Instead of breaking tattoo ‘boulders’ into large ‘rocks’ as a first step, these new lasers start by shattering them into tiny particles, right at the outset. This causes the disappearance of tattoos with fewer treatments.

For wrinkles, sunspots, freckles and acne scars, the PicoSure™ system works with a Focus Lens Array, which delivers 20x more energy per pulse than without.

The PressureWave™ technology in the machine then uses slight pressure from a laser light to squeeze individual skin cells. This is opposed to using heat to burn cells. It’s also unlike skin rejuvenation techniques that remove skin layers.

The squeezing creates intentional, ‘micro injuries’ to the cells. These ‘micro injuries’ then activate your body’s natural immune response, to produce more collagen and elastin in the area. The stimulation of collagen and elastin production is what heals the skin of its impurities.

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Since every tattoo is made differently, no one can determine how many treatments it will take to fade a tattoo with lasers. We can say that newer, and professionally-inked tattoos, are much more resistant to laser removal technologies. Not only that, the location of the tattoo on your body can affect how well it reacts to laser treatment.

That said, most tattoos can be removed within 4 to 10 sessions. A consultation at our clinic in Surrey will give you a better estimate of how many treatments we think it will take to remove your unwanted tattoo. However, this will always be a guess.

For those wishing to remove acne scars, wrinkles or pigmented areas on the skin, each case will also be dependent on the existing condition. Treatment plans require an in-person consultation.

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This laser treatment works by placing a handpiece over your skin where the tattoo or affected area is. We then release a pulse of energy from the machine onto your skin in small bursts. Each pulse covers an area of 6-10 millimetres.

The size of the pulses depend on the skin type and the condition being treated. They must also be measured against the joules of energy being administered.

You will also need re-treatment every 4 to 8 weeks, until your tattoo is completely faded. Skin revitalization treatments should be scheduled every 2 to 4 weeks.

During the later stages of tattoo removal, sessions may need to be booked further apart. The time between treatments allows your immune system to rid your body of the destroyed ink particles.

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There can be some discomfort during tattoo removal. The same goes with the Focus Lens treatments for pigmentation or scarring. The experience can feel like small pinches on your skin with each pulse.

For those that need it, we can apply a numbing cream (free of charge), before the treatment, to reduce pain. We also apply cold air during treatment.

It should be noted that because of the ultra short pulse lengths with picosecond lasers, less heat is produced. This results in less pain than with other laser tattoo or skin revitalization treatments.

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No, not really! We will ask you to avoid sun exposure for a period of time after the treatment. This is because your skin will be sensitive to light, and more susceptible to sunburn as a result.

For skin revitalization patients, you will be able to use non-comedogenic mineral makeup shortly after treatment. You may experience redness and swelling for a few hours after the session.

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PicoSure™ treatments are generally, when done with precision and training.

That said, scarring and skin lightening or darkening where a tattoo once was is common. If you have a tendency to form scars or keloids easily, you should let us know before starting treatment.

Shortly after treatment, your skin will appear lighter for a period. You may also experience redness and swelling after a treatment.

Being a doctor-led skincare clinic, we exercise great safety in our practice to avoid burns and scarring. We have also been doing tattoo removal for over 15 years, on thousands of patients. We are, thus, very experienced in what to expect, and what to avoid, for each case we are dealing with.

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We offer personalized consultations for assessing your tattoo or skin. When we see you in person, we can give you a general estimate of what we think your treatment plan will cost. In the meantime, you can fill out the form above to get a general idea of cost. Since the number of treatments required will be different for every tattoo and person, pricing can not be guaranteed.

To get estimates for skin discolouration treatments, please fill out the form on this page.

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