Picosecond Laser Tattoo Removal

Picosecond laser tattoo removal at this Letná studio uses a certified Picosecond 500 PS device that fires ultra-short 500-picosecond pulses — far faster than the nanosecond lasers that dominated tattoo removal for decades. That speed is the key: shorter pulses convert light energy into a mechanical shockwave rather than heat, shattering tattoo pigment into micro-particles that the body's lymphatic system can flush away naturally, without the thermal damage to surrounding tissue that creates scarring. Black and red inks absorb laser wavelengths most efficiently and typically clear in three to five sessions for smaller pieces, while vibrant multi-colour tattoos may require eight or more. Sessions are spaced six to eight weeks apart so the immune system has time to clear the broken pigment fully before the next round. Price is set by tattoo size, and the studio provides an email estimate within two business days when you send a ruler-referenced photo. A free in-person consultation precedes every treatment plan.

The Tattoo Removal Prague studio in the Letná neighbourhood of Praha 7 operates a Picosecond 500 PS laser as its sole treatment device — a deliberate focus that means every practitioner here is working with this technology every day rather than rotating between multiple modalities. Picosecond technology represents a generational shift from the nanosecond Nd:YAG lasers that performed most tattoo removal through the 2000s and early 2010s. Where nanosecond pulses deliver energy over a longer window and rely primarily on photothermal (heat) effects to break up pigment, picosecond pulses are so brief that the dominant mechanism shifts to photomechanical action: a rapid pressure wave that literally fractures tattoo ink particles into sub-micron fragments. This matters clinically because smaller fragments are cleared more efficiently by macrophages in the dermis, the surrounding tissue absorbs less heat, and the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring is substantially reduced compared with older technology. The process begins before you visit the studio. Email a clear photo of your tattoo alongside a ruler or a coin for scale; the team will respond within two business days with a transparent, size-referenced price estimate and an outline of how many sessions are likely based on the ink colours visible in the photo. At the first in-person appointment, a free individual consultation reviews the tattoo up close — assessing ink depth (older tattoos often sit higher in the dermis as the body has already begun to break them down), skin tone (which affects contrast and post-treatment recovery), colour composition, and whether any area has pre-existing scarring from the original tattooing process. This matters because picosecond laser can remove pigment but cannot reverse scar tissue already present — the studio is explicit about this rather than overselling outcomes. The session itself is brief. The handpiece is passed methodically over the tattoo, delivering rapid pulses that produce a snapping sensation on the skin — practitioners describe it as similar to a rubber band flicking against the surface — manageable for the large majority of clients without topical anaesthetic, though this can be discussed. Immediately after the session the skin shows a temporary frosting reaction as the shockwave disrupts the superficial dermal layer; this subsides within minutes. The treatment zone is reddened for several hours. Post-treatment skincare instructions are provided after each session; the skin requires six to eight weeks of recovery before the next visit to allow the lymphatic system to clear the pigment fragments properly. Black and red inks absorb the laser's wavelengths most efficiently. Small black tattoos in a single colour typically respond in three to five sessions; larger, saturated pieces with multiple colours — especially greens and blues, which require specific secondary wavelengths — may require eight or more sessions. Results are reviewed session by session rather than pre-committing to a fixed plan, because individual immune response varies. A significant subset of clients at this studio comes not for complete erasure but for cover-up preparation. The goal in these cases is to fade the existing tattoo enough that a cover-up artist can lay a new design over it without the old ink bleeding through. The studio will contact the client's tattoo artist directly to agree on a target level of lightness, then stop treatment when that goal is reached — using fewer sessions than full removal would require and saving the client both time and cost. Sessions are priced by tattoo area: up to 5×5 cm for small pieces, approximately 10×10 cm for medium, and individual pricing for larger work. New clients receive 50% off their first session; prepaying for five sessions in advance yields a 20% saving across those sessions. Studio hours are Monday to Friday 09:00–18:00 and appointment booking is via email.