PicoWay vs. PicoSure: Which Picosecond Laser Is Best for Tattoo Removal in Toronto?
If you have started researching laser tattoo removal in Toronto, two names keep coming up: PicoWay and PicoSure. Both are picosecond lasers. Both are a big step up from older nanosecond (Q-switched) devices. And every clinic seems to say its laser is the best.
So which one should you actually choose?
In this guide, we compare PicoSure tattoo removal in Toronto with PicoWay side by side: how each laser works, which ink colours and skin tones each one handles best, what treatment feels like and what it costs. We will also be honest about the factor that matters even more than the machine.
What PicoWay and PicoSure Tattoo Removal Toronto Have in Common
Both lasers deliver energy in picoseconds, or trillionths of a second. That speed matters. Instead of slowly heating the ink, an ultra-short pulse creates a photoacoustic (pressure) effect that shatters pigment into tiny particles. Your immune system then clears those particles over the following weeks.
Compared with older Q-switched lasers, picosecond technology generally offers:
• Smaller ink fragments that your body can clear more easily
• Less heat transferred to the surrounding skin
• Better results on stubborn ink that older lasers struggled to fade
If you want the deeper science, read our guide to picosecond vs. Q-switched lasers. Here, we focus on what separates the two leading picosecond platforms from each other.
PicoWay vs. PicoSure: The Key Differences
1. Manufacturer and Core Wavelength
PicoSure, made by Cynosure, was the first picosecond laser cleared for tattoo removal in the United States. Its signature wavelength is 755 nm (alexandrite). Newer PicoSure configurations add 532 nm and 1064 nm to broaden the range of inks and skin types it can treat.
PicoWay, made by Candela, is built around 1064 nm and 532 nm, with additional 785 nm and 730 nm handpieces designed specifically for blue and green ink.
2. Pulse Duration
Candela's published specifications put PicoWay's pulses at roughly 250 to 450 picoseconds, among the shortest of any commercial tattoo removal laser. PicoSure also works in the picosecond range, but its pulses are generally reported as longer.
Why does this matter? Shorter pulses with high peak power create more of the shattering photoacoustic effect and less heat. That is a big reason PicoWay is often described as gentle on the skin. Still, pulse length is only one variable. Energy settings, spot size and technique matter just as much.
3. Ink Colours
Different ink colours absorb different wavelengths. Here is how the two platforms match up:
Ink colour | PicoWay | PicoSure |
Black and dark ink | 1064 nm | 755 nm (1064 nm on newer systems) |
Red, orange and yellow | 532 nm | 532 nm (on newer systems) |
Blue and green | 785 nm and 730 nm handpieces | 755 nm |
Darker skin tones | 1064 nm (primary wavelength) | 1064 nm (on newer systems) |
PicoSure's 755 nm wavelength has a strong reputation for blue and green ink. PicoWay covers the same colours with dedicated handpieces. For multi-coloured tattoos, see our article on removing coloured tattoos with modern inks.
4. Safety for Darker Skin Tones
For patients with medium to dark skin (Fitzpatrick types IV to VI), wavelength choice is critical. The melanin in your skin absorbs shorter wavelengths more readily, which raises the risk of temporary lightening or darkening of the skin.
The 1064 nm wavelength passes through melanin more safely, and it is PicoWay's primary workhorse for black ink. The 755 nm wavelength is absorbed more by melanin, so it is usually used more cautiously on darker skin. That is one reason newer PicoSure systems added 1064 nm. Learn more in our guide to laser removal for skin types 5 and 6.
5. Comfort and Downtime
With either laser, most people describe the sensation as a rubber band snapping against the skin. Because picosecond pulses transfer less heat, redness and swelling usually settle within a few days. Cooling and numbing make a real difference, as we explain in our tattoo removal pain management guide.
So, Which Laser Is Better?
Here is the honest answer: both are excellent, and no large independent head-to-head study proves that one removes every tattoo in fewer sessions. The best laser depends on your tattoo and your skin.
PicoWay is often preferred for:
• Dense black ink, including blackout and cover-up fading
• Medium to dark skin tones, thanks to its 1064 nm focus
• Multi-colour tattoos that need several wavelengths
• Patients who want the least heat and downtime possible
PicoSure can be a strong choice for:
• Blue and green ink on lighter skin tones
Most importantly, the operator matters more than the machine. The right energy settings, correct spacing between sessions (usually six to eight weeks), careful aftercare and strict sun protection all influence your results as much as the laser brand does.
What Pico Laser Tattoo Removal Costs in Toronto
Most Toronto clinics price picosecond tattoo removal per session, usually based on tattoo size. At Vanish Clinic, PicoWay tattoo removal is a flat $200 per session for an area up to 6" × 6" (here is why we use a 6" × 6" limit). Our treatment packages can lower your total cost by 10 to 25 percent.
For a full breakdown of what affects your total investment, read our honest 2026 tattoo removal price guide.
Questions to Ask Before You Book in Toronto
Whether a clinic uses PicoWay or PicoSure, ask these questions at your consultation:
• Which laser do you use, and which wavelengths or handpieces are available?
• Who performs the treatment, and what training do they have?
• How will you adjust the settings for my skin tone?
• How many sessions do you estimate for my tattoo, and why?
• What exactly is included in the price per session?
A trustworthy clinic will answer each one clearly, without pressure.
Why Toronto Clients Choose PicoWay at Vanish Clinic
At Vanish Clinic, tattoo removal is our specialty, not a side service. We use the multi-wavelength PicoWay system to treat black ink, colour and every skin tone. Every plan starts with a one-on-one assessment of your ink, your skin and your goals, whether you want complete removal or fad
ing for a cover-up.
Our clinic is in downtown Toronto at 130 Spadina Avenue, with transparent, flat-rate pricing and no surprises.
Ready to see what PicoWay can do for your tattoo? Book your consultation at Vanish Clinic and get a personalized removal plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PicoWay better than PicoSure for tattoo removal?
Both are excellent picosecond lasers, and no large independent study shows that one clears every tattoo faster. PicoWay delivers some of the shortest pulses available and relies on 1064 nm, which makes it a strong choice for black ink and darker skin tones. PicoSure is known for its 755 nm wavelength, which works well on blue and green ink. The right choice depends on your ink colours, your skin tone and the experience of the person operating the laser.
Which pico laser is safer for dark skin?
The 1064 nm wavelength is considered the safest option for melanin-rich skin (Fitzpatrick types IV to VI), because it is absorbed less by the pigment in your skin. PicoWay is built around 1064 nm, and newer PicoSure systems also offer it. Ask your clinic which wavelength it will use for your skin type.
Can PicoWay remove coloured tattoos?
Yes. PicoWay uses 532 nm for red, orange and yellow ink, 1064 nm for black and dark ink, and dedicated 785 nm and 730 nm handpieces for blue and green ink. Some colours still take more sessions than black ink.
How many sessions does pico laser tattoo removal take?
Most tattoos need several sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart. The exact number depends on ink density, colours, tattoo age, location on the body, your skin type and your overall health. Your clinician can give you a personalized estimate at your consultation.
How much does pico laser tattoo removal cost in Toronto?
Pricing varies by clinic and tattoo size. At Vanish Clinic, PicoWay tattoo removal is a flat $200 per session for an area up to 6 by 6 inches, and treatment packages can reduce your total cost by 10 to 25 percent.
Does pico laser tattoo removal hurt?
Most people compare the sensation to a rubber band snapping against the skin. Sessions are short, and cooling and numbing options help keep you comfortable. Because picosecond lasers transfer less heat to the skin, many patients find them more tolerable than older lasers.
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