PicoWay alternative in London
Reviewed By
Dr Vishal Patel
BDS Liverpool · MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry Manchester · GDC 103127 · AACD Member · Invisalign Diamond II Provider · IFAAS (International Fellowship in Advanced Aesthetic Science) · Facial anatomy & cadaver course, Dr Ali Pirayesh, University of Amsterdam · Harley Academy foundation training in injectable aesthetics · IBSA-trained (Profhilo) · NeoStrata-trained (skin peels) · Lynton Lasers trained, incl. ONDA
Last Updated
September 9, 2026
We use a Q-switched laser, not a picosecond device. Here is how the two compare, honestly
Searching for a PicoWay alternative? We use a Q-switched laser, not a picosecond device. Q-switched lasers fire in nanoseconds and are well established for black and dark-blue ink; picosecond devices such as PicoWay use shorter pulses and may clear some stubborn colours in fewer sessions. Some colours may need more sessions with a Q-switched laser, or may not clear fully. What matters most is the wavelength for your ink, the skill of the operator and an honest plan.
Heading
- Q-switched laser (nanosecond pulses), not picosecond
- Device brand matters less than wavelengths, operator, and plan
- Three key factors: wavelengths, operator skill, honest course plan
- From £750 per course of up to 10 appointments
- Free patch test
- Some colours may need more sessions or may not clear fully
Searching for a PicoWay alternative? We use a Q-switched laser, not a picosecond device. Q-switched lasers fire in nanoseconds and are well established for black and dark-blue ink; picosecond devices use shorter pulses and may clear some stubborn colours in fewer sessions. Some colours may need more sessions with a Q-switched laser, or may not clear fully.
People searching for a "PicoWay alternative" are usually doing one of two things: they have been quoted on a PicoWay and want to know how another clinic's laser compares, or they have read that PicoWay is the device to look for and assume anything else is a downgrade. The honest answer sits between the two: the device matters, and so do the wavelengths and the operator.
PicoWay, PicoSure and Discovery Pico are picosecond lasers, which deliver ultra-short pulses. We do not offer them. We use a Q-switched laser, which has been used for tattoo removal for many years and works well on black and dark-blue ink. It is not a like-for-like match for picosecond devices: stubborn colours such as greens and bright blues may take more sessions, and some may not clear fully. The useful questions are whether the laser carries the wavelengths your ink needs, who is operating it, and whether the plan you are given is honest.
Matched to your ink
The variable that matters most
Proportionate treatment
PicoWay, PicoSure and Discovery Pico are picosecond lasers; we use a Q-switched laser, which fires in nanoseconds. Picosecond devices may clear some stubborn colours faster, so the right question is what suits your ink.
| Consultation & Patch Test | A free patch test shows how your specific ink responds before you commit. We assess which colours will clear easily and which will be stubborn. |
| Treatment Sessions | A Q-switched laser breaks tattoo pigment into fragments your immune system can clear. Sessions are spaced six to eight weeks apart to allow that clearance between visits. |
| Course Completion | Our course covers up to 10 appointments; dense or multi-colour work may need more, and some colours may not clear fully. A realistic range is given at consultation, not a fixed promise. |
Transparent pricing
Prices are set out below. Your written plan confirms the fee before any treatment begins.
| Area | Price |
|---|---|
| Tattoo removal course (up to 10 appointments) | from £750 |
| Large, multi-colour or full-sleeve work | Quoted in writing after assessment |
| Patch test | Free |
0% APR finance over 12 months via Tabeo, subject to status.
Our happy patients,
in their own words
Questions
people ask
If your question isn't answered here, call reception on 020 8127 4567 or email reception.
What is a PicoWay alternative?
If you are searching for a PicoWay alternative, we use a Q-switched laser. Q-switched lasers fire in nanoseconds, are well established for black and dark-blue ink, and some colours may need more sessions or may not clear fully. We do not claim parity with picosecond devices, and we will explain what to expect at a free patch test.
Is PicoWay better than other picosecond lasers?
PicoWay is a well-regarded picosecond device, one of several on the market. What decides your result is the right wavelength for your ink, the skill of the operator and an honest course plan. We use a Q-switched laser rather than a picosecond system.
PicoWay vs PicoSure — what is the difference?
Both are picosecond lasers from the same category, with some differences in wavelengths and pulse delivery. For most black and dark-blue body tattoos the practical difference is small. We do not use either; we use a Q-switched laser, and we are open about how it compares.
How many sessions will I need for tattoo removal?
Usually six to twelve for full removal, spaced six to eight weeks apart, depending on ink colour, density, age and depth. We give you a realistic range at consultation after a patch test rather than a fixed promise.
Which tattoo colours are hardest to remove?
Black and dark blue clear fastest. Greens and bright blues are slower. Some yellows and whites barely respond to any laser. We will tell you honestly which colours in your tattoo will be stubborn before you commit to a course.
Does the brand of laser matter at all?
Quality matters, and so does the right wavelength for your ink. Beyond that, the brand name matters less than the operator's skill and the honesty of the plan. We use a Q-switched laser; picosecond devices exist and may clear some colours in fewer sessions, so we explain the difference plainly at consultation.
Book a consultation and patch test
If you have been quoted on a PicoWay elsewhere, or you are weighing up clinics, book a consultation and patch test with us. We will assess your ink, tell you which colours will be straightforward and which stubborn, and put a realistic course and cost in writing, including whether a Q-switched laser is the right choice for your tattoo. Call 020 8127 4567 or WhatsApp +44 7974 910222. 222 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 3AP.
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