OverviewThe PicoWay® picosecond laser device delivers ultra-short picosecond pulses (trillionths of a second) with high peak power to produce a photoacoustic effect that fragments pigment and tattoo ink particles while minimizing thermal damage to surrounding tissue. It is designed for non-invasive medical and aesthetic treatments including tattoo removal, benign pigmented lesions, melasma, acne scars, wrinkles and skin rejuvenation.
Key benefits- Low to no downtime: Short treatment sessions (typically 15–20 minutes) with epidermis largely intact.
- Photoacoustic mechanism: Ultra-short pulses minimize skin heating and collateral thermal damage.
- Safety on darker skin types: Picosecond pulses and appropriate wavelengths reduce risk of hypopigmentation and scarring in darker Fitzpatrick skin types.
- Patient comfort: Resolve applicators stimulate collagen and elastin with comfortable sessions.
- High efficacy in clinical studies: Noted improvements across acne scars, wrinkles, pigmented lesions and tattoo removal.
ApplicationsAdvanced treatments for tattoo removal, benign pigmented lesions (sunspots, lentigines, Café au lait macules, Nevus of Ota), melasma, acne scars, wrinkles and skin rejuvenation.
Indications by wavelength and handpiece- Zoom 532 nm — red, yellow, orange tattoo removal (FST I–III); benign pigmented lesions, melasma, café au lait macules, lentigines (FST I–IV).
- Zoom 1064 nm — black, brown, green, blue, purple tattoo removal (FST I–VI); benign pigmented lesions; melasma; Nevus of Ota (III–IV).
- 730 nm — blue and green tattoo removal (II–IV); benign pigmented lesions; lentigines.
- 785 nm — blue and green tattoo removal (II–IV); benign pigmented lesions.
- Resolve 532 nm / 532 nm HE — benign pigmented lesions and wrinkles (FST I–IV).
- Resolve 1064 nm — benign pigmented lesions, wrinkles, melasma, acne scars (II–V).
- Resolve Fusion 532 nm — benign pigmented lesions (FST I–IV).
How it worksThe PicoWay laser emits ultra-short picosecond pulses that are absorbed by pigment or tattoo ink particles, producing a photoacoustic effect that shatters pigments into smaller fragments that the body can clear. For acne scars and wrinkles, fractional micro-beam (Resolve) handpieces induce laser-induced optical breakdown (LIOB) and vacuole formation beneath the epidermis to stimulate new collagen and elastin formation without breaking the skin surface.
Applicators and wavelengthsVersatile handpiece configurations to match treatment needs:
- Zoom — full-beam delivery; wavelengths 532 nm and 1064 nm (single applicator); spot sizes 2–10 mm.
- 730 nm — full-beam; spot sizes 2, 3, 4 mm.
- 785 nm — full-beam with Ti:sapphire crystal; spot sizes 2, 3, 4 mm.
- PicoWay Resolve™ — micro-beam delivery; wavelengths 532 nm and 1064 nm (two applicators); treatment spot 6x6 mm.
- PicoWay Resolve Fusion™ 532 nm — micro-beam with surrounding diffuse ring; treatment spot 6x6 mm.
Performance and features- Four true picosecond wavelengths and pulses for treatment customization and minimal side-effect risk.
- Multiple beam delivery options: full-beam, micro-beam (Resolve) and micro-beam with fusion ring (Resolve Fusion).
- Adjustable wavelength, energy (fluence), spot size and repetition rate for tailored treatments.
- Large spot sizes available for faster coverage and deeper penetration.
- Linked user interface: adjustments on handpiece reflected on-screen.
- Enhanced articulated arm option to extend reach, improve stability, and ensure precise beam alignment.
- Fast initiation time (ready in under two minutes) and Pulse-on-Demand for long flashlamp life.
Clinical results and outcomesClinical evidence and reported study outcomes cited on device materials include: 94% improvement in acne scars, 92% improvement in wrinkles, 96% improvement in benign pigmented lesions, 86% clearance rates in tattoo removal in study populations, and 50–75% improvement ranges for melasma, lentigines, Nevus of Ota and CALMs in select data sets. Typical tattoo removal requires multiple sessions (commonly 4–10 sessions spaced 6–8 weeks), with outcomes depending on tattoo size, ink density, color and skin type.
Regulatory clearancesPicoWay has received regulatory clearances/approvals for multiple indications in various regions (examples shown for FDA, Health Canada, CE and TGA in device information).
System highlights — practitioner benefits- Treats a wide range of tattoo colors including difficult blues and greens.
- Effective management of benign pigmented lesions across skin types.
- Resolve handpieces provide fractional micro-beam therapy for acne scars and wrinkles without ablating the epidermis.
- Scalable: select applicators as practice needs grow; Zoom 532/1064 nm comes standard.
- Ergonomic, lightweight handpieces and articulated arm reduce operator fatigue.
FAQs — selected points- Mechanism: Uses picosecond pulses at multiple wavelengths (1064, 785, 730, 532 nm) to create a photoacoustic effect that fragments pigment and ink with less thermal damage than nanosecond lasers.
- Sessions for tattoos: Most patients require 4–10 treatments for significant clearance; professional multi-colored or previously treated tattoos often require more sessions.
- Dark skin safety: PicoWay’s pulse duration and 1064 nm option reduce risks on darker Fitzpatrick types (IV–VI).
Caractéristiques / spécifications techniques- Denomination commerciale (model): PicoWay®
- Wavelengths available: 1064 nm, 785 nm, 730 nm, 532 nm (including 532 nm HE) and specialized Resolve/Resolve Fusion delivery modes
- Beam delivery technologies: full-beam (Zoom), micro-beam (Resolve), micro-beam with surrounding fusion ring (Resolve Fusion)
- Treatment spot sizes: Zoom 2–10 mm; 730/785 nm options: 2, 3, 4 mm; Resolve/Resolve Fusion: 6x6 mm
- Typical treatment session length: ~15–20 minutes (varies by indication and treatment area)
- Indications: Tattoo removal, benign pigmented lesions, melasma, acne scars, wrinkles, skin rejuvenation (subject to regional clearances)
- Clinical outcomes reported: acne scars (up to 94% improvement in cited studies), wrinkles (up to 92%), benign pigmented lesions (up to 96%), tattoo removal (e.g., 86% in cited datasets)