Not all pico lasers are the same. In fact, the choice of machine can matter as much as the choice of “pico vs Q-switched.” Different platforms cover different wavelengths, which means they’re better or worse at different ink colors, skin tones, and treatment goals.
This is a practical guide to the four major pico laser platforms you’ll encounter in clinics — what each does well, where each falls short, and how to tell which one is actually the right fit for you.
Why the specific machine matters
A laser’s wavelength determines which pigments it can target. Here’s the short version:
- 532nm (green light): targets red, orange, yellow ink; effective for sun spots and some pigmentation.
- 694nm (ruby red): uncommon; effective for green ink specifically.
- 755nm (near-infrared): targets dark ink (black, dark blue, green) and pigmentation; widely used.
- 1064nm (infrared): targets black/dark ink and is safer for darker skin tones because it penetrates without being absorbed by melanin.
A machine with more wavelengths can treat more situations. A single-wavelength machine may be excellent for one use case and wrong for another. When you compare providers, ask which wavelengths their laser covers — not just “is it a pico?”
PicoSure and PicoSure Pro (Cynosure)
The original. PicoSure was the first picosecond laser to get FDA clearance for tattoo removal in 2012, and it remains one of the most common pico lasers in clinics.
- Primary wavelength: 755nm
- PicoSure Pro: adds 532nm and 1064nm via interchangeable handpieces
- Best for: dark tattoo inks, melasma, sun spots, skin revitalization (using the Focus Lens Array)
- Limitations: the original single-wavelength model is weaker on multi-color tattoos and less safe on darker skin tones. The Pro version closes most of these gaps.
PicoSure has a strong name and a good reputation. The important question when a clinic says “we have a PicoSure” is: original or Pro? The Pro is a meaningfully more versatile machine.
PicoWay (Candela)
The versatile one. PicoWay came to market in 2014 and positioned itself as a multi-wavelength alternative to the original PicoSure.
- Wavelengths: 532nm, 785nm, 1064nm
- Best for: multi-color tattoos, wide range of skin tones, pigmentation, acne scars
- PicoWay Resolve: fractional handpiece attachment for skin rejuvenation and acne scars
- Limitations: lacks the 694nm ruby wavelength that helps with stubborn green inks.
For most clinics trying to cover the widest range of patients and treatments with a single machine, PicoWay is the default answer. If you have multi-color ink or darker skin, it’s often the stronger choice over an original PicoSure.
Discovery Pico and Discovery Pico Plus (Quanta)
The specialist. Less common in the US but gaining ground, Discovery Pico is known for its unusual wavelength lineup — including 694nm, the same “ruby” wavelength of some older dedicated tattoo lasers.
- Wavelengths: 532nm, 694nm, 1064nm (Pico Plus adds a supplementary nanosecond mode for the toughest ink)
- Best for: stubborn green inks, complex multi-color tattoos, residual ink from prior treatments
- Limitations: fewer US clinics carry it, so finding a trained operator can take some searching
If you have a green-heavy or unusually difficult tattoo — or one that’s already had multiple laser sessions with only partial results — Discovery Pico is worth seeking out specifically.
Cutera Enlighten and Enlighten III
The pigmentation specialist. Cutera’s Enlighten line has a strong reputation for pigmentation treatments and tattoo removal on a wide range of skin tones.
- Enlighten: 532nm, 1064nm
- Enlighten III: adds 670nm, useful for blues and greens
- Best for: melasma, sun spots, tattoo removal (especially with the III’s expanded palette), darker skin tones (1064nm handles these safely)
- Limitations: the base Enlighten (two wavelengths) is more limited than the III for tattoo work. Ask which version.
Quick comparison
| Platform | Wavelengths | Strongest For | Weaker For |
|---|---|---|---|
| PicoSure (original) | 755nm | Dark ink, pigmentation | Multi-color, darker skin |
| PicoSure Pro | 532 / 755 / 1064nm | General versatility | Stubborn green ink |
| PicoWay | 532 / 785 / 1064nm | Multi-color, skin tone range | Green ink (lacks 694nm) |
| Discovery Pico | 532 / 694 / 1064nm | Green ink, tough cases | Availability in US |
| Enlighten III | 532 / 670 / 1064nm | Pigmentation, blue/green | Smaller install base |
How to choose — a short decision tree
- Plain black tattoo, fair skin: any of them will work. Choose on cost and operator skill.
- Multi-color tattoo: PicoWay, Discovery Pico, or PicoSure Pro.
- Lots of green ink specifically: Discovery Pico (694nm) or Enlighten III (670nm).
- Darker skin (Fitzpatrick IV–VI): any platform with a strong 1064nm — PicoWay, PicoSure Pro, Enlighten.
- Melasma or pigmentation: Enlighten or PicoSure Pro.
- Acne scars or skin rejuvenation: PicoSure (Focus Lens Array) or PicoWay (Resolve handpiece).
One more thing: the person running the laser matters more than any of this
A skilled operator with an older single-wavelength pico will usually outperform a novice with the newest multi-wavelength platform. The machine is necessary but not sufficient. Always ask how many procedures the operator has performed on cases similar to yours.
To filter providers by laser type, wavelength, and treatment focus, use our directory. Every listing includes the specific machine and wavelengths that provider operates.