Home / Treatments / PicoWay® Laser
Precision laser treatment for pigmentation, acne scarring, tattoo removal and selected skin-texture concerns.
PicoWay uses exceptionally short picosecond pulses to deliver energy precisely to selected pigmentation and tattoo pigment, while specialised treatment approaches can also be used to address aspects of acne scarring and uneven skin texture.
Every treatment begins with an assessment of your skin, a patch test, its history and the concern you want to address. The treatment parameters are then selected according to your skin type, the nature of the concern and the response we are aiming to achieve.
Pigmentation
Acne scarring
Tattoo removal
Skin texture
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Key treatment information
Treatment type
Non-invasive laser treatment
Primary concerns
Pigmentation, acne scarring, selected skin-texture concerns, tattoo removal
Consultation
Required
Patch test
Required
Acne scarring
Using ultra-short picosecond pulses of photoacoustic energy, it creates tiny micro-vacuoles under the skin surface to stimulate new collagen and elastin without burning the outer layers of your skin.
PicoWay · Allure Passions UK
Treatment overview
PicoWay is an advanced picosecond laser platform designed to deliver extremely short pulses of laser energy, measured in picoseconds — trillionths of a second.
The significance is not simply that the pulse is short. The speed at which the energy is delivered changes how the laser interacts with the target. Rather than relying primarily on prolonged heating of tissue, PicoWay’s ultra-short pulses create a photoacoustic effect, producing a rapid mechanical interaction with the target pigment. This allows pigment particles to be fragmented while limiting unnecessary thermal exposure to the surrounding tissue.
PicoWay can be used for a range of concerns, including pigmentation, unwanted tattoo pigment, uneven skin tone and selected skin-texture concerns. Different wavelengths and treatment technologies allow the laser to be adapted to the specific area and concern being treated.
For skin rejuvenation and selected textural concerns, PicoWay’s Resolve technology delivers controlled fractional energy to the skin, supporting the skin’s natural remodelling process. The treatment approach is tailored according to your skin, the concern being addressed and your desired outcome.
Discover Your Treatment Options
Every skin is different, which is why PicoWay treatments are individually tailored rather than following a standard approach.
At Allure Passions, your skin is assessed before treatment so we can determine the most appropriate PicoWay technology and treatment plan for your concerns.
The technology
A picosecond is one trillionth of a second.
The exceptionally short picosecond pulse allows PicoWay to deliver energy to targeted pigment with remarkable speed. This creates a photoacoustic effect that helps break pigment into smaller particles while reducing the amount of heat transferred to the surrounding skin.
In simple terms, the ultra-short pulse delivers energy to the targeted pigment in an extremely brief burst, helping to break it into much smaller particles.
These smaller particles can then be gradually processed and cleared by the body as part of its natural response.
This approach can be particularly useful for concerns involving unwanted pigment, including tattoos and pigmentation. Because different types of pigment can respond differently to laser energy, your treatment is tailored to the specific concern being addressed.
Wavelength technology
One of the important advantages of PicoWay is that the practitioner can select the wavelength and delivery method according to the target being treated.
532NM
The 532 nm wavelength is absorbed strongly by certain superficial pigment targets and is used for selected benign pigmented lesions and particular tattoo colours. Candela lists 532 nm for selected red, yellow and orange tattoo pigments as well as benign pigmented lesions.
785NM
The 785 nm wavelength is particularly useful for selected blue and green tattoo pigments and can also be used for certain benign pigmented lesions.
1064NM
The 1064 nm wavelength penetrates more deeply and has a broader range of applications, including selected tattoo colours across a wider range of skin types and specific pigmentation and acne-scar protocols using the Resolve handpiece.
Why wavelength selection matters
The practitioner considers the colour and depth of the target, skin type, treatment area, previous treatment, pigmentation characteristics and the desired clinical endpoint when deciding which wavelength and delivery method should be used.
PicoWay allows control over parameters including wavelength, energy, spot size and repetition rate, allowing treatment to be adapted rather than applying one standard setting to every patient.
Pulse duration
Traditional Q-switched
PicoWay differs from traditional nanosecond Q-switched laser technology primarily in its pulse duration.
PicoWay
PicoWay delivers pulses in the picosecond range, allowing a stronger photoacoustic interaction with pigment over an extremely short period. The objective is to create mechanical fragmentation of the target while limiting unnecessary thermal exposure to surrounding tissue.
Every PicoWay treatment is tailored to the individual, taking into account the concern being treated, your skin and the results you want to achieve. This allows your treatment plan to be personalised to you rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
How PicoWay works
01
Pigmentation is not one single condition.
Sun spots, lentigines, post-inflammatory pigmentation and hormonally influenced pigmentation can have different causes and behave differently following treatment.
This is why a dark mark is not a diagnosis.
Following assessment, PicoWay can be used to target selected benign pigmented lesions. The laser energy is absorbed by the target pigment, where the ultra-short pulse produces a photoacoustic effect that shatters the pigment into smaller particles. These particles can then be reabsorbed by the body’s natural processes.
For pigmentation associated with ongoing triggers such as UV exposure or hormonal influences, treating the visible pigment alone does not necessarily remove the reason it developed. Sun protection and appropriate skincare therefore remain important parts of the longer-term plan.
02
Acne scarring is influenced by factors including the type and depth of the scar, the surrounding skin texture, collagen structure and the way the skin has healed following inflammation from an acne breakout.
PicoWay Resolve uses fractional microbeam delivery to create controlled microscopic treatment zones within the dermis. Unlike pigment-targeting treatments, the mechanism of action for acne scarring is not dependent on pigmentation. Instead, the treatment uses controlled fractional energy to create a wound-healing and remodelling response within the skin.
This approach can be compared with other resurfacing technologies, including ablative treatments, although the mechanism and degree of tissue disruption are different. PicoWay Resolve is designed to create microscopic treatment zones rather than removing the surface of the skin.
Over time, this controlled treatment can encourage changes in collagen structure and help improve the appearance of selected acne scars and uneven texture.
The type of scar matters. Rolling, boxcar and ice-pick scars do not respond identically to the same treatment, which is why assessment is important before deciding whether PicoWay is the appropriate technology.
03
Tattoo ink sits within the skin rather than simply on its surface.
PicoWay uses ultra-short pulses to create a photoacoustic effect that fragments tattoo pigment into much smaller particles. The body can then progressively clear these fragments between treatment sessions.
The wavelength is selected according to the colour and characteristics of the tattoo pigment.
The number of sessions cannot be predicted from size alone. Colour, ink depth, density, age of the tattoo, previous removal attempts and individual healing response can all influence the treatment journey.
Complete tattoo removal cannot be guaranteed.
Understanding the concern
Understanding why the concern developed is part of deciding whether PicoWay is appropriate.
May be associated with cumulative UV exposure, hormonal influences, inflammation or previous skin injury. Some pigmentation can also recur if the underlying trigger remains.
Inflammation following acne can leave areas of increased pigmentation after the original breakout has resolved.
Persistent acne inflammation can disrupt normal collagen architecture during healing, leaving depressions or changes in skin texture.
Tattoo pigment is deliberately deposited into the skin and can contain different pigments at different depths, which is why removal is generally progressive rather than instantaneous.
The Allure Passions UK approach
PicoWay treatment is not selected simply because a patient has asked for “laser”.
We first establish what the concern actually is.
Your assessment considers:
This allows the practitioner to determine the appropriate wavelength, delivery method and treatment parameters for the individual concern.
Required
A patch test is required before PicoWay treatment.
The patch test allows the practitioner to assess how the skin responds to the selected treatment parameters before proceeding with the planned treatment area.
Your consultation and patch test also provide an opportunity to discuss your medical and treatment history, current skincare, preparation, expected response and aftercare.
Your appointment
1
Your skin and the specific concern are assessed before treatment. For pigmentation, this includes determining whether the mark is appropriate for laser treatment rather than assuming every dark mark can be treated in the same way.
2
A patch test is carried out using the planned treatment approach.
3
The treatment area is prepared and appropriate protective eyewear is used during the laser procedure.
4
The practitioner selects the appropriate wavelength and treatment parameters according to the concern being treated.
You may experience a series of quick snapping or flicking sensations during treatment.
5
The skin may appear temporarily red or sensitive following treatment. The expected response depends on the treatment protocol and the concern being addressed.
6
You will receive specific aftercare guidance, Send via email.
Most patients describe the sensation as quick snapping, flicking or prickling as the laser pulses are delivered.
The sensation varies according to the treatment area, wavelength, settings and individual sensitivity.
Temporary redness and sensitivity can occur afterwards. The intensity and duration of the visible response depend on the treatment protocol.
Sessions & results
There is no single number of sessions that applies to every PicoWay treatment.
PicoWay results are generally progressive rather than instantaneous.
How many treatments?
Some selected pigmented lesions may respond to fewer treatments, while more complex or recurrent pigmentation may require a longer treatment plan.
When will I see results?
The treated pigment may change following treatment and then progressively clear.
How many treatments?
A course may be recommended because collagen remodelling develops progressively rather than immediately.
When will I see results?
Texture changes develop gradually as the skin remodels collagen.
How many treatments?
Multiple sessions are generally required. The number depends on factors including:
When will I see results?
Pigment clearance occurs progressively between sessions as the body processes the fragmented ink particles.
The practitioner will explain the expected timeline during your consultation rather than applying a generic results promise to every patient.
Your results
The laser is only one part of the treatment journey.
Results can be influenced by:
For pigmentation in particular, ongoing UV exposure can contribute to recurrence. Long-term skin management therefore remains important even after successful treatment.
Realistic results
PicoWay can produce meaningful improvement in appropriately selected concerns, but results vary.
Treated pigment can improve, but pigmentation may return when underlying triggers such as UV exposure or hormonal influences remain.
The appearance and texture of selected scars may improve, but scars do not necessarily disappear completely.
Multiple sessions are usually required and complete removal cannot be promised.
The objective is to create a treatment plan based on the actual condition of your skin, rather than promising an identical result for every patient.
“
Practitioner insight
That is why the consultation is an important part of PicoWay treatment.
The technology provides different wavelengths and delivery methods, but the clinical result depends on selecting the appropriate technology and parameters for the individual concern.
Before & after
Illustrative results. Every result is individual. Drag to compare — your consultation sets realistic expectations.
PicoWay · Illustrative result
PicoWay · Illustrative result
Pricing
Full Face
6 sessions £1,999
Single £869
Small Area
6 sessions £969
Single £329
Full Face & Neck
6 sessions £999
Single £675
Small Body Area
6 sessions £599
Single £399
Medium Body Area
6 sessions £899
Single £599
Large Body Area
6 sessions £1,299
Single £749
1–2 cm
6 sessions £119
8 sessions £349 · Single £63
2–4 cm
6 sessions £249
8 sessions £369 · Single £73
4–12 cm
6 sessions £529
8 sessions £639 · Single £99
12–17 cm
6 sessions £759
8 sessions £939
Extra Large
Consultation required
Prices from the Allure Passions UK 2025 price list. Please confirm current pricing with the clinic.
FAQ
Yes. A consultation is required before treatment.
Yes. A patch test is required before PicoWay treatment.
No. Pigmentation has different causes and types. Assessment is necessary to determine whether the pigmentation is appropriate for PicoWay.
It depends on the concern. Pigmentation, acne scarring and tattoo removal each have different treatment requirements.
Complete removal cannot be guaranteed. The number of treatments depends on the tattoo’s colour, size, depth, density, previous treatment and individual response.
Patients may experience quick snapping or flicking sensations during treatment. Sensation varies according to the area, settings and individual sensitivity.
Temporary redness and sensitivity can occur. Your practitioner will explain the expected response for your particular treatment.
Not necessarily. Skin type, pigmentation, medical history, previous treatments, current skincare and the specific concern all need to be assessed before treatment.
Combining treatments
The appropriate combination depends on the concern rather than adding treatments simply for the sake of doing more.
For example, where acne scarring is the primary concern, the practitioner may assess whether PicoWay, Morpheus8 or microneedling would provide the most appropriate approach based on scar type, depth, skin condition and desired outcome.
For redness, inflammation or vascular concerns, ADVATx may be considered where clinically appropriate.
This means the treatment plan is built around the skin concern, rather than around a particular machine.
Book a PicoWay consultation
Whether you are concerned about pigmentation, acne scarring, tattoo pigment or uneven skin texture, your PicoWay treatment should begin with understanding what is actually happening in your skin.
Book Your Consultation
Tell us about your concerns and our team will help you find the right treatment pathway.
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