If you are a clinic owner looking to invest in laser tattoo removal or skin rejuvenation technology, you have undoubtedly encountered three names: PicoSure, PicoWay, and the general term Picosecond Laser.
The marketing noise is loud. Manufacturers claim superior pulse widths, while brands claim proprietary wavelengths. But for a buyer, the question is simple: What is the actual difference, and which one will bring the best ROI (Return on Investment) to my clinic?
As a professional manufacturer of aesthetic lasers, we are here to strip away the marketing jargon and compare these technologies based on physics, specifications, and clinical reality.
1. The Core Principles: Understanding the Technology
First, a clarification: “Picosecond” is a unit of time (trillionth of a second). Both PicoWay and PicoSure are Picosecond lasers. However, they use different laser mediums.
PicoSure (The Alexandrite Pioneer)
- Principle: It uses a 755nm Alexandrite crystal.
- Mechanism: It relies on the photomechanical effect but is optimized for Melanin absorption. The 755nm wavelength is the “Gold Standard” for green and blue inks and superficial pigment.
PicoWay (The Nd:YAG Powerhouse)
- Principle: It primarily uses a 1064nm/532nm Nd:YAG laser (with options for 730nm/785nm).
- Mechanism: It boasts the shortest pulse duration in the industry. The Nd:YAG medium allows for deeper penetration and is safer for darker skin tones compared to Alexandrite.
Generic Picosecond Laser (High-End Factory Models)
Most professional machines produced by top-tier factories (like ours) follow the PicoWay technical route.
- Principle: We utilize Active Q-Switched Nd:YAG technology with picosecond pulse widths.
- Mechanism: By equipping the machine with 1064nm, 532nm, and “Honeycomb” (Focus) lenses (often 755nm mimics), these machines offer a versatile, all-in-one solution that balances the benefits of both big brands.
2. Specification Showdown: A Technical Deep Dive
To make a smart purchase, you must look at the specs. Here is how they compare across critical parameters:
| Feature | PicoSure (Alexandrite) | PicoWay (Nd:YAG) | Professional Factory Picosecond (Nd:YAG) |
| Laser Type | 755nm Alexandrite | Nd:YAG | Nd:YAG (Standard) |
| Primary Wavelengths | 755nm (532/1064 optional via adapters) | 1064nm / 532nm / 730nm | 1064nm / 532nm / 755nm / 1320nm |
| Pulse Width (Speed) | ~750 ps | ~300 – 450 ps | 500 – 800 ps (Balance of power & safety) |
| Peak Power | High | Very High | High (Matches most clinical needs) |
| Treatment Depth | Superficial to Mid-Dermis | Deep Dermis | Adjustable (Superficial to Deep) |
| Skin Types (Fitzpatrick) | Best for I-III (Risk on IV-VI) | Safe for All (I-VI) | Safe for All (I-VI) |
| Comfort | Moderate (More heat) | High (Less heat) | High (Photoacoustic effect dominates) |
Key Takeaway: The “PicoWay” style (Nd:YAG) offers broader safety for different skin tones, which is crucial for clinics with diverse clientele.
3. Applications: Pros & Cons in Treatment
Not all lasers treat all problems equally.
1. Tattoo Removal
- PicoSure (755nm): Unbeatable for Green and Blue inks. However, it struggles with deep black ink or red ink compared to Nd:YAG.
- PicoWay / Factory Nd:YAG ( picosecond ): The King of Black, Grey, and Red inks. Since 90% of tattoos are black/grey, the 1064nm wavelength is the most practical workhorse.
- Advantage: The 1064nm penetrates deeper to shatter ink that is buried low in the dermis.
2. Pigmentation (Melasma & Freckles)
- PicoSure: excellent for superficial freckles and sunspots on fair skin.
- PicoWay / Factory Nd:YAG ( picosecond ): Better for Melasma and deep hormonal pigment.
- Why? The 1064nm wavelength is less likely to cause PIH (Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation) in darker skin or mixed skin types, making it the safer choice for complex pigment issues.
3. Skin Rejuvenation (Acne Scars & Pores)
- All three technologies use “Fractional” or “Focus” lenses to create LIOB (Laser Induced Optical Breakdown). This stimulates collagen without breaking the skin surface.
- Result: All provide excellent skin resurfacing results.
4. How to Choose? A Buyer’s Guide
As a clinic owner, your choice depends on two factors: Budget and Treatment Focus.
Factor A: Treatment Focus
- Choose Alexandrite (755nm focus): If your clientele is mostly Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-II (very fair) and you specialize in removing colorful (green/blue) tattoos.
- Choose Nd:YAG (1064nm/532nm focus): If you treat a diverse range of skin tones (Asian, Hispanic, African American, etc.) and primarily remove black tattoos or treat Melasma. This is generally the safer, more versatile choice for most MedSpas.
Factor B: Budget & ROI (The Factory Advantage)
This is where the business decision is made.
- The Brand Name Route: Buying a genuine PicoSure or PicoWay gives you brand recognition. However, the machine cost is astronomical, and the maintenance fees (consumables/service) are very high.
- Time to ROI: 1.5 – 2 Years.
- The Professional Factory Route: At our factory, we manufacture High-Spec Picosecond Machines that utilize the same Nd: YAG active Q-switched technology and honeycomb lenses.
- Performance: We achieve 90-95% of the clinical results of the big brands.
- Flexibility: We offer different configurations (Portable, Vertical, High-Power 2000mj, etc.) to suit your specific space and needs.
- Time to ROI: 1 – 3 Months.
Our Recommendation: Unless you are a celebrity dermatologist who relies on Brand Names for marketing, a high-quality Factory Picosecond Machine is the smartest financial decision. It offers the safety of Nd:YAG technology, the power of picosecond pulses, and a profit margin that allows your business to grow rapidly.
So, Picosecond | Picoway | Picosure: what’s the difference?
It comes down to the laser medium (Alexandrite vs. Nd:YAG) and the price tag.
For the vast majority of modern aesthetic clinics, the Nd: YAG Picosecond technology (similar to PicoWay) is the winner due to its safety on all skin types and its effectiveness on black ink.
Ready to find the perfect machine for your budget?
Our factory offers a wide range of Picosecond laser solutions, from entry-level portable units to high-power vertical workstations.
👉 [Explore our Picosecond Laser Series Here] or contact us for a free consultation on which model fits your clinic best.
