Quick Answer
PicoSure and PicoWay are both true picosecond lasers, and both comfortably out-perform older Q-switched machines for tattoo removal and pigmentation. Neither is universally "better." PicoWay offers 1064nm, 532nm and 785nm wavelengths; PicoSure leads with 755nm. The right one for you depends on your ink colours or pigment and your skin tone — and honestly, the operator's skill matters more than the brand on the machine. Our Markham clinic runs a 755nm PicoSure Pro.
If you've been researching laser tattoo removal or pigmentation treatment, you've probably hit the same two names over and over: PicoSure (by Cynosure) and PicoWay (by Candela). Clinics tend to champion whichever one they happen to own — so here's a straight, non-salesy comparison, including where each genuinely has an edge.
What They Have in Common
Both are picosecond lasers, meaning they fire pulses in trillionths of a second. That speed creates a photomechanical (pressure-wave) effect that shatters ink and pigment into very fine particles your body clears naturally — rather than the heat-based, photothermal approach of older Q-switched lasers. The practical payoff is the same for both: fewer sessions, finer particle break-up, and a lower risk of scarring than nanosecond machines. If your only choice is "a picosecond laser vs an old Q-switched one," the picosecond laser wins almost every time.
The Key Differences
| Feature | PicoSure (Cynosure) | PicoWay (Candela) |
|---|---|---|
| Headline wavelength | 755nm alexandrite | 1064nm / 532nm / 785nm |
| Pulse duration | ~550–750 picoseconds | ~294–450 picoseconds |
| Best-known strength | Stubborn blue/green ink; pigment & texture (Focus Lens Array) | Wavelength range; flexibility across ink colours & skin tones |
| Darker skin (V–VI) | 755nm absorbed more by melanin — treat conservatively | 1064nm option is gentler on melanin |
| Mechanism | Photomechanical | Photomechanical |
For Tattoo Removal
PicoSure's 755nm is superb for the colours older lasers hated — blues, greens, teals and purples. PicoWay's broader wavelength menu (especially 532nm for warm colours and 1064nm for black on darker skin) gives it flexibility across a wider range of ink and skin combinations. For a straightforward black tattoo on fair-to-medium skin, both clear it beautifully. The differences only really show up with unusual colours or very dark skin. (Note: red and orange ink need 532nm — which our 755nm PicoSure doesn't include — so we're upfront when a tattoo isn't a fit.) See our PicoSure tattoo removal page for what we treat.
For Pigmentation and Skin Texture
Both lasers treat benign pigment like sun spots and age spots well. PicoSure's Focus Lens Array is particularly well known for skin revitalization — stimulating collagen for texture, pores and acne scars alongside pigment clearing. For melasma specifically, brand is the wrong question: melasma is a chronic, easily-aggravated condition, and conservative settings plus sun protection matter far more than which picosecond laser is in the room. More on our pigmentation treatment page.
So, Which Is Better?
The honest answer: the one operated by an experienced practitioner who picks the right settings for your skin and your target. A skilled clinician on a 755nm PicoSure will beat a careless one on a multi-wavelength PicoWay every time. When you're comparing clinics, don't ask "PicoSure or PicoWay?" — ask: Is it a true picosecond laser? How many sessions do you realistically expect for my tattoo or pigment? Have you treated my skin tone before?
What We Use
At Beauty And Wellness Med Spa in Markham we run the Cynosure PicoSure Pro at 755nm. It's a fantastic fit for most tattoo ink and pigment concerns, and for skin texture via the Focus Lens Array. Where it isn't the ideal tool — red/orange ink, or the very darkest skin where a 1064nm device may be safer — we'll tell you honestly at your free assessment rather than sell you a treatment that isn't right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PicoWay better than PicoSure for tattoo removal?
Neither is universally better. PicoWay offers 1064nm, 532nm and 785nm; PicoSure leads with 755nm. The best laser depends on your ink colours and skin tone — 755nm is excellent for stubborn blues and greens, while 1064nm is gentler on darker skin. Both are true picosecond lasers and both out-perform older Q-switched machines. Operator skill matters more than the brand.
Which laser is safer for dark skin?
For very dark skin (Fitzpatrick V–VI), 1064nm is generally considered safer because melanin absorbs it less than 755nm. A clinic with a 1064nm-capable device may be preferable for the darkest skin tones. We run a 755nm PicoSure and treat darker skin conservatively with patch testing, and we'll honestly tell you at your assessment if your skin would be better served elsewhere.
Which picosecond laser does your Markham clinic use?
We use the Cynosure PicoSure Pro configured with 755nm. It's outstanding for tattoo ink (black, blue, green, brown, purple, turquoise) and for brown pigment and skin texture via the Focus Lens Array. We don't currently run a 532nm handpiece, so we don't treat red or orange tattoo ink.
Want to go deeper on picosecond vs older technology? Read PicoSure vs Q-switched lasers, or see the full PicoSure Pro overview.