Picosecond laser
The picosecond laser is the current standard in tattoo removal — and for good reason. It emits pulses of light lasting picoseconds (trillionths of a second) that shatter the pigment into micro-particles without breaking the skin surface. The skin remains physically intact; only the ink is removed.
We explain in detail how this technology works in our guide on how laser tattoo removal works.
The main advantages of the picosecond laser:
- No scarring — the skin is not cut or abraded. With correct parameters and good aftercare, the risk of scarring is low.
- Precision — only a selected part of the tattoo can be treated without affecting the surrounding skin.
- Flexibility — the wavelength can be adjusted to the ink colour.
- Safety — no surgical risk (wound infection, post-operative scarring, general anaesthesia).
Disadvantage: multiple sessions are required (typically 8–12 for a tattoo, spaced ~8 weeks apart). The result builds gradually.
Surgical excision
Surgical tattoo removal involves literally cutting out the tattooed skin with a scalpel and suturing the wound edges together. The method has one apparent "advantage": a small tattoo can be removed in a single procedure.
In practice, however, it means:
- A scar is always left — a linear surgical scar in place of the tattoo. It is often more visible than the faded remnants of a tattoo after unsuccessful laser removal.
- Size limitation — excision and suturing is only feasible for small tattoos. Larger ones would require skin grafts.
- Local anaesthesia and surgical risk — the wound heals like any post-operative site.
- No correction possible — once excised and scarred, the skin carries a permanent mark.
When does it make sense? In narrow, specific cases: a very small tattoo in a location where a linear scar is acceptable and barely visible (e.g. behind the ear). In practice, most people, once they understand the implications, prefer a faded tattoo to a permanent surgical scar.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is the mechanical abrasion of skin layers down to the depth where the ink sits. In theory — a possible method. In practice — it is not used as a standard tattoo removal procedure in Poland and has largely been superseded by the laser.
Why dermabrasion is not the right method:
- Ink sits in the dermis — dermabrasion would have to abrade the skin to that depth, which carries a serious risk of scarring.
- Unpredictable results — outcomes are difficult to control and depend on many variables.
- High pain and long healing time — the procedure is far more invasive than a laser treatment.
- Not the standard — clinics specialising in tattoo removal do not offer dermabrasion as a method of choice.
“A steady hand and a real sense of safety in the hands of an outstanding specialist.”
Comparison — which to choose
For the vast majority of cases, the answer is unambiguous: picosecond laser. It is the only method that:
- does not leave scarring as a standard side effect,
- works on any size and location of tattoo,
- allows precise treatment of only a selected area,
- is reversible in terms of planning — if you decide to stop treatment halfway, the skin is not permanently damaged.
Tattoo removal creams and home remedies — which don't work — are covered separately in our article on how to remove a tattoo. A general guide to the whole process is in our guide on how to remove a tattoo.
Questions about your specific case? Book a free consultation. Laser treatment pricing: pricing page.