Tattoo Removal
Experience Precision Pigment Correction
If you have a tattoo you no longer want, whether it’s a professional piece, an amateur design, or permanent makeup that’s changed color over time, Picofy offers a targeted approach built around your specific ink. At Highlander Dermatology, tattoo removal plans are developed within our physician-led, board-certified dermatology practice, so the wavelength, settings, and treatment sequence are chosen to match your ink and skin.
Whether you’re removing a single small tattoo or planning a longer course of treatment for a larger, multicolor piece, our approach starts with an honest evaluation of what your ink can realistically achieve.
About Picofy Tattoo Removal
Picofy is an advanced laser system designed to support personalized treatment plans. It uses very short 300-picosecond pulses (a picosecond is one trillionth of a second) and can deliver up to 2.0 gigawatts of peak power during each pulse. Its two wavelengths, 1064 nm and 532 nm, can be selected for different treatment depths and ink or pigment types. Specialized handpieces and adjustable settings allow our team to tailor treatment to your skin type, ink, and goals.
Picofy is FDA-cleared for unwanted tattoos, along with benign pigmented lesions, acne scars, and wrinkles, within specific wavelength and skin-type parameters. Results vary by ink and individual, and more than one treatment is commonly needed.
Picofy at Highlander is also used to treat sun spots and uneven skin tone, acne scars and related texture changes, and, for selected patients, melasma as part of a comprehensive, dermatologist-directed plan. Visit our Picofy page to learn more. Every treatment, regardless of concern, begins with a careful skin and ink assessment and a personalized plan.
How Picofy Tattoo Removal Works
The Science Behind the Pulse Technology
Picofy’s 300-picosecond pulses are dramatically shorter than older tattoo removal lasers, allowing energy to fracture ink particles into smaller fragments your body can clear more effectively, while limiting heat transfer to the surrounding skin.
Matching Wavelength to Ink Color
The 1064 nm wavelength is generally more effective on darker inks such as black and navy, while the 532 nm wavelength targets warmer tones such as red and orange. Having both available in one system allows your provider to match the wavelength to the specific colors in your tattoo rather than compromising on a single setting.
Why Every Removal Plan Looks Different
No two tattoos respond the same way. Your plan is shaped by the ink’s color and composition, its depth and density in the skin, how old the tattoo is, where it’s located on your body, and your own skin type and healing response. Tattoos with denser or layered ink, or those in areas with slower circulation, typically require more sessions than smaller, lighter, or more recently placed tattoos.
Permanent Makeup Calls for a Different Approach
Permanent makeup, microblading, and other cosmetic tattooing use different pigments than traditional tattoo ink, and some white, flesh-toned, or cosmetic pigments can darken when exposed to laser energy. Because of this, we often recommend a test spot before committing to a full treatment plan on cosmetic pigment.
Setting Realistic Expectations on Timeline
Treatment plans commonly range from a single session for select simple cases to six or more sessions for professional, layered, or multicolor tattoos, typically spaced six to eight weeks apart to allow your body to clear treated ink between visits. We’ll give you an individualized estimate at consultation, then adjust the plan as we see how your specific tattoo responds.
Candidates for Picofy Tattoo Removal
Picofy tattoo removal is designed for patients who want a carefully evaluated, dermatologist-directed approach to unwanted ink, with realistic expectations set from the start. This treatment may be a good fit for patients who want to:
Your ink’s color and composition, your skin type, and your desired outcome are evaluated during a consultation to confirm candidacy and build a realistic treatment plan, including whether a test spot is recommended before full treatment begins.
Tattoo Removal
Before & After
Picofy Tattoo Removal
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions will I need to remove my tattoo?
It depends on your ink. The range can be as few as one treatment for select simple cases to six or more for professional, layered, or multicolor tattoos, commonly spaced six to eight weeks apart. Color, composition, density, depth, age, location, and your skin type all factor in. During your consultation, we can give you a more individualized estimate, then reassess as your tattoo responds.
Will my tattoo disappear completely?
Complete removal cannot be guaranteed for every tattoo. Some ink colors and compositions respond better than others, and multiple treatments are commonly needed to achieve significant fading or removal.
Does tattoo removal hurt?
Most patients describe the sensation as similar to getting the tattoo itself, often described as a quick snapping feeling. Topical numbing options are available to help with comfort during treatment.
Can permanent makeup be removed with Picofy?
Yes, in many cases. Because permanent makeup and microblading use different pigments than traditional tattoo ink, and some cosmetic pigments can darken with laser exposure, we typically recommend a test spot before starting a full treatment plan.
What should I expect after treatment?
Temporary redness, swelling, and pinpoint bleeding are common immediately after treatment. Some patients also notice temporary darkening or lightening of the treated skin, which typically resolves as the area heals. We’ll walk you through specific aftercare at your appointment.
Do all tattoo colors respond the same way?
No. Darker inks such as black and navy generally respond well, while certain colors, particularly light blues, greens, and some cosmetic pigments, can be more resistant and may require a different approach or additional sessions.
Can Picofy treat anything besides tattoos?
Yes. Picofy is also used at Highlander for sun spots, uneven skin tone, and acne scar texture, and may be considered off-label for select melasma patients as part of a broader treatment plan. Visit our Picofy service page to learn more.
Your Skin Deserves Expert Care & Innovative Solutions
Schedule Your Personalized Consultation Today
Discover the difference board-certified specialists and advanced technology can make. Whether you’re treating skin cancer, rejuvenating your skin, or sculpting your body, Highlander Dermatology and Surgery Center offers personalized care to help you feel confident for the long term.