The PicoWay laser from Candela manufacturer is a picosecond laser with 3 wavelengths and a high peak power. Picosecond lasers have been around for less than 10 years and are characterised by the ability to generate an extremely short pulse duration in the picosecond domain. This means that the light coming out of the laser once applied in a pulsed mode will travel at a speed of almost 1 trillionth of a second. This speed will generate some “shockwaves” in the targeted tissue that leads to mechanical break of the target without the need to generate a lot of heat. The targets are ink particles in tattoo and the small melanosomes that contain the pigment melanin. The PicoWay laser is therefore the best treatment choice for tattoos (both amateur and professional) and all pigmentation issues from melasma, hyperpigmentation, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, naevus of Ota and many other conditions. The 3 wavelengths include the 532 nm which is used for red, orange and purple tattoos as well as superficial pigmentation, referred to as “epidermal”. The 785 nm wavelength in the PicoWay laser is used for green and blue colour tattoos and the 1064 nm wavelength is used for black tattoos or deeper pigmentation often referred to as “dermal”.

The PicoWay laser also has a specific fractional handpiece called the “Resolve” handpiece. This is a unique fractional handpiece that comes in 2 wavelengths the 532 and 1064 nm. It creates a highly sophisticated microscopic injury called “light-induced optical breakdown” in the skin that triggers a cascade of wound healing pathways that ultimately leads to smoother skin, even tone and better collagen. The Resolve PicoWay laser handpieces are therefore used in acne scars, enlarged pores, uneven tone and pigment, stretchmarks, dull skin appearance and general facial rejuvenation.

The PicoWay laser treatment is painless and fast given the ability to use a speed of up to 10 Hz a second meaning that any treatment will take anywhere between 5 minutes to half an hour maximum depending on the condition. The PicoWay laser is one of the most advanced picosecond lasers currently available in the market.

Professor Firas Al-Niaimi is a world expert in PicoWay laser treatments and has published several scientific papers on picosecond technology and PicoWay and these articles can be found in the publications section of the website.