How Does Pico Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

What Is Pico Laser Technology?

A picosecond is one trillionth of a second. Pico Laser delivers energy to the skin in pulses that last just 450 to 750 picoseconds — far shorter than the nanosecond pulses used by older Q-switched lasers. This speed is not a technical detail; it is the core reason Pico Laser outperforms every previous generation of tattoo removal technology. At Carisma Aesthetics Malta, our Pico Laser Tattoo Removal treatment uses this advanced technology to deliver safer, faster fading across a wider range of ink colours.

The Science Behind Ink Shattering

Tattoo ink sits in the dermis — the deep layer of skin beneath the epidermis — held within clusters of ink particles that are too large for the immune system to clear on its own. When laser energy is applied, it heats those ink particles rapidly. With nanosecond lasers, the heating creates a photothermal effect: the ink absorbs heat, expands, and fragments into smaller pieces, but the surrounding tissue also absorbs heat, which can cause scarring, hypopigmentation, or prolonged redness.

Pico Laser works differently. Because the pulse duration is so short, there is almost no time for heat to transfer to the surrounding tissue. Instead, the energy creates a photomechanical or photoacoustic effect — a shockwave that physically shatters the ink particles into dust-like fragments without relying on heat. These fragments are small enough for the lymphatic system and macrophages (immune cells) to carry away naturally over the following weeks.

Why Particle Size Matters

The smaller the ink fragments after each session, the more effectively and quickly your body clears them. Older lasers leave behind mid-sized fragments that still require many more sessions to break down further. Pico Laser produces fragments up to 100 times smaller per pulse, which is why clients typically need fewer sessions overall and see more complete clearance — including on notoriously stubborn colours like blue, green, and teal.

Which Ink Colours Can Pico Laser Treat?

Different ink colours absorb different wavelengths of light. A single-wavelength laser cannot effectively treat all colours. Our Pico Laser system uses multiple wavelengths, allowing us to target:

• Black and grey ink — responds fastest due to high contrast with skin
• Dark blue and dark green — effectively treated with 532 nm or 694 nm wavelengths
• Red, orange, and yellow — targeted with 532 nm wavelength (green light)
• Teal, cyan, and light blue — among the most stubborn, but Pico excels here
• Purple and violet — respond well to combined wavelength protocols
• Multicoloured tattoos — treated in a planned sequence targeting one colour family per pass

During your initial free consultation at our clinic, our practitioner will assess your tattoo under a specialist light and map each colour zone so we can design the most efficient treatment sequence for your individual piece.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

There is no universal answer, because every tattoo tells a different story. Variables that influence session count include:

• Ink density — professional tattoos use more ink than amateur ones
• Ink depth — ink applied deeper in the dermis takes longer to reach
• Tattoo age — older tattoos have already begun to fade naturally
• Ink colours — black clears fastest; light blues and greens take longer
• Your skin tone — lighter skin allows higher energy settings and faster clearance
• Location on the body — areas with better blood circulation (like the chest) clear faster than extremities (like ankles)
• Your overall health and immune function

On average, clients need between 4 and 10 sessions, spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart, to allow the body to clear ink between treatments. Some small, single-colour amateur tattoos may clear in as few as 3 sessions. Large, heavily saturated professional pieces can require 10 or more. We always give honest, realistic expectations at consultation — we would rather underpromise and overdeliver.

What Does a Pico Laser Session Feel Like?

Most clients describe the sensation as similar to a rubber band being snapped against the skin repeatedly. Because the pulse duration is so short, there is minimal thermal (heat) discomfort compared to older lasers. For smaller tattoos, no anaesthetic is required. For larger areas or sensitive locations, we apply a topical numbing cream 30 to 45 minutes before treatment to ensure comfort throughout.

A typical session lasts between 10 and 30 minutes depending on the tattoo size. Immediately after, the treated area will appear white (a phenomenon called "frosting"), which fades within 30 to 60 minutes as the skin reabsorbs the microscopic gas bubbles created by the photoacoustic shockwave. Some redness, swelling, and a sensation similar to mild sunburn are normal and usually resolve within 24 to 72 hours.

Aftercare: What You Must Do Between Sessions

Aftercare is not optional — it is an active part of your removal journey. Proper skin management between sessions directly affects how quickly and completely your tattoo fades. Follow these guidelines:

• Keep the area clean and dry for the first 24 hours
• Apply the healing balm or ointment provided by your practitioner twice daily
• Do not pick, scratch, or peel any blistering or scabbing — let it heal naturally
• Avoid sun exposure on the treated area for a minimum of 4 weeks; use SPF 50+ when outdoors
• Do not submerge in swimming pools, hot tubs, or the sea until fully healed
• Stay well-hydrated and support your immune system — it is doing the ink-clearing work
• Avoid smoking, which impairs circulation and slows lymphatic clearance

Is Pico Laser Safe for All Skin Tones?

Older nanosecond lasers carried a high risk of hypopigmentation (lightening of surrounding skin) and hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones, because heat damage would affect the melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) in the surrounding skin. Pico Laser is significantly safer across all Fitzpatrick skin types because its photomechanical mechanism avoids the excess heat that causes melanocyte damage. However, appropriate wavelength and energy settings must be carefully calibrated for each skin tone — this is one of the most important reasons to choose a medically supervised clinic rather than an unregulated beauty salon.

Pico Laser vs. Traditional Laser Removal

It is worth understanding exactly how Pico Laser compares to the Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers that dominated tattoo removal for decades:

• Pulse duration: Pico (450–750 ps) vs. Q-switched (5–10 nanoseconds) — Pico is up to 20× faster
• Mechanism: Pico = photoacoustic shattering; Q-switched = photothermal heating
• Ink clearance per session: Pico produces dramatically smaller fragments, accelerating clearance
• Sessions required: Pico typically requires 30–50% fewer sessions overall
• Colour range: Pico treats a broader spectrum including difficult blues and greens
• Side effect profile: Pico carries lower risk of scarring, textural change, and pigmentation issues
• Downtime: Pico recovery is generally shorter and more comfortable

If you have previously undergone traditional laser removal without satisfactory results, Pico Laser can often continue the fading process more effectively — even on partially treated tattoos that older lasers struggled to clear.

Combining Tattoo Removal with Other Skin Treatments

Once your tattoo removal sessions are complete and the skin has fully recovered, many clients choose to complement their results with additional skin treatments. Our Face Treatments range includes options that can help restore skin radiance and even tone in areas that have undergone laser work. Treatments like our signature HydraFacial Treatment are excellent for deep cleansing, hydrating, and brightening the skin once it has fully healed from the removal process. For clients looking to support their overall skin health and wellbeing during a long removal journey, we also recommend exploring our Carisma Membership plans, which offer significant savings across multiple treatments.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Pico Laser Tattoo Removal?

Pico Laser is suitable for most adults who are in good general health. You are likely a good candidate if:

• You have a tattoo you no longer want, or wish to significantly fade before a cover-up
• Your tattoo has failed to clear adequately with older laser technology
• You have a multicoloured tattoo that requires versatile wavelength capability
• Your skin is not currently sunburned, infected, or broken in the treatment area
• You are not pregnant or breastfeeding
• You are not taking photosensitising medications (discuss with your practitioner)
• You have realistic expectations — tattoo removal is a process, not an instant fix

Book Your Pico Laser Consultation in Malta

The best way to understand what Pico Laser can achieve for your specific tattoo is to speak with one of our expert practitioners face to face. During your free consultation, we will assess your tattoo, your skin type, and your goals, give you an honest session estimate, and explain our pricing transparently — with no pressure or hidden costs. Visit our dedicated Pico Laser Tattoo Removal page to learn more about the treatment and current offers, or Book a Free Consultation today. We look forward to helping you begin your next chapter with confidence.