Laser Tattoo Removal in NYC
Expert PicoWay Laser Care for Every Ink Color and Skin Type
NYC's Expert in PicoWay Laser Tattoo Removal
Every Session Performed by a Board-Certified Dermatologist
Medically Reviewed by Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD | Board-Certified Dermatologist | Assistant Clinical Professor, Mount Sinai Department of Dermatology
Last Medically Reviewed: March 12, 2026
Not all tattoo removal is created equal — and who performs your treatment matters just as much as the laser being used. At The Dermatology and Laser Group on Manhattan's Upper East Side, Dr. Arash Akhavan personally performs every single laser tattoo removal session. He has completed thousands of PicoWay laser treatments over more than 18 years of practice, making him one of the most experienced tattoo removal physicians in New York City.
Unlike chain laser centers and med spas — where treatments are often delegated to technicians with limited training — Arash Akhavan, MD is a board-certified dermatologist who brings genuine medical expertise to each session. That distinction directly affects your results, your safety, and how many sessions you actually need. Dr. Arash Akhavan has treated dozens of patients who came to him after experiencing burns, scarring, and incomplete fading at other providers across Manhattan and NYC.
The practice uses the Candela PicoWay laser — the most advanced picosecond laser available — capable of treating all ink colors on all skin types with fewer sessions and less discomfort than older technologies. A 2022 multicenter clinical study published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine confirmed the PicoWay's superiority in clearing multicolored tattoos compared to both Q-switched and earlier picosecond platforms.
As Featured In:
Over 300 media appearances as a national expert in cosmetic dermatology and body contouring.
The Science Behind Picosecond Laser Technology
The PicoWay laser by Candela Medical represents a fundamentally different approach to removing unwanted tattoos. Where older Q-switched lasers rely primarily on heat to break apart ink — a process that can damage surrounding tissue and increase scarring risk — the PicoWay uses ultra-short pulses measured in picoseconds (trillionths of a second). At 300 to 450 picoseconds per pulse, the energy creates a photoacoustic effect that shatters ink particles into microscopic fragments without excessive thermal injury to the skin.
This matters for three reasons patients care about most.
Broader color range. The PicoWay operates across four wavelengths — 532nm, 730nm, 785nm, and 1064nm — giving Dr. Arash Akhavan the tools to target every ink color, including notoriously stubborn greens, blues, reds, yellows, and purples. The dedicated 730nm and 785nm wavelengths were specifically engineered for pigments that older systems simply cannot clear. A study published in Dermatologic Surgery (2019) demonstrated statistically significant superiority of PicoWay's multi-wavelength platform over single-wavelength picosecond devices for polychromatic tattoos.
Safer for all skin types. Because PicoWay delivers less thermal energy per pulse, it carries a significantly lower risk of hypopigmentation and scarring for patients with darker skin tones — Fitzpatrick types IV, V, and VI. Candela's published clinical data supports this safety profile across the full range of skin types.
Fewer sessions to clearance. Clinical evidence consistently shows that patients treated with the PicoWay achieve meaningful fading in fewer sessions compared to Q-switched Nd:YAG and earlier picosecond systems. Most black-ink tattoos on lighter skin average approximately 5 sessions for significant clearance.
“When we made the decision to transition from PicoSure to PicoWay, it was based purely on the clinical data,” says Arash Akhavan, MD. “The pulse speed is faster, the wavelength options are broader, and the photoacoustic mechanism produces less collateral heat. My patients noticed the difference immediately — less discomfort during treatment and faster fading between sessions.”
Dr. Arash Akhavan, a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for over 13 consecutive years and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai, upgraded the practice's laser platform specifically because the PicoWay's published results outperformed the PicoSure across every metric that matters to patients.
Medical Expertise vs. Chain Laser Centers
When you choose laser tattoo removal in New York City, the provider you select matters more than most patients realize. The same laser in different hands produces vastly different outcomes — and the complications Dr. Akhavan sees from patients transferring in from other providers confirm this consistently.
Every treatment personally performed by a physician. Dr. Arash Akhavan never delegates tattoo removal to technicians, nurses, or physician assistants. As a board-certified dermatologist with thousands of sessions personally completed, he adjusts laser parameters in real time based on how your skin responds — pulse energy, spot size, wavelength selection, and pulse count all vary depending on the ink, the depth, the skin type, and what he sees during the session itself.
Recognized nationally as an expert in cosmetic dermatology. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD has been cited as a medical expert in over 300 media appearances, including The New York Times, Allure, Cosmopolitan, Women's Health, ABC News, and Fox News. He is a New York Magazine Top Doctor and New York Times–listed Super Doctor.
Corrective care for patients burned by other providers. A pattern Dr. Akhavan has observed repeatedly: patients arrive after 6, 8, or even 12 sessions at a chain removal center or med spa with minimal fading — or worse, with burns and textural scarring. In many cases, the issue is undertrained operators using inappropriate energy settings, or clinics using older-generation lasers while marketing them as “picosecond” technology.
“The most frustrating cases I see are patients who spent thousands of dollars elsewhere and now have scarring on top of the tattoo they wanted removed,” says Dr. Arash Akhavan. “The ink is still there, but now there’s also scar tissue making it harder to treat. That’s what happens when the person holding the laser doesn’t understand skin biology.”
Your Treatment Journey: Consultation Through Complete Clearance
From Consultation to Complete Clearance
Every tattoo removal plan at The Dermatology and Laser Group begins with a personalized consultation with Dr. Akhavan at our Upper East Side office in Manhattan. During this visit, he evaluates your tattoo’s size, ink colors, depth, age, location, and your individual skin type to design a treatment approach specific to you.
Before your session: Dr. Akhavan’s clinical team applies a prescription-strength numbing cream to the treatment area, followed by targeted numbing injections for maximum comfort. The Zimmer Cooler — a medical-grade chilled-air device — provides continuous skin cooling throughout the procedure.
During treatment: The PicoWay laser delivers ultra-short picosecond pulses to the tattoo, shattering ink particles into microscopic fragments your body can naturally eliminate. Sessions typically last 15 to 30 minutes depending on tattoo size. Most patients report minimal to zero discomfort thanks to our multi-layer numbing protocol.
After treatment: Mild redness, swelling, or light frosting of the skin is expected and typically resolves within a few days. Dr. Akhavan provides detailed aftercare instructions at every visit. Sessions are spaced approximately 6 to 16 weeks apart to allow your immune system to flush fragmented ink particles between treatments.
Most tattoos require 5 to 10 sessions for significant to complete clearance, depending on ink colors, tattoo age, skin tone, and individual response. Black ink on lighter skin averages approximately 5 sessions. Dr. Akhavan assesses your response after each treatment and adjusts timing and laser parameters accordingly.
“Every tattoo is different — the colors, the depth, the age of the ink, even the patient’s immune response,” explains Dr. Arash Akhavan. “I adjust the wavelength, energy level, and spot size at every session based on what I’m seeing in real time. That kind of personalization is the difference between 5 sessions and 12.”
Treatment areas include:
- Arms, legs, back, and chest
- Abdomen, hips, and bikini area
- Hands, fingers, neck, and behind the ear
- Eyebrow and cosmetic tattoo removal
- Cover-up preparation (fading for a new tattoo design)
Who should not undergo laser tattoo removal: Patients who are pregnant, have an active skin infection over the tattoo area, or have a known allergy to topical anesthetic agents used during treatment should not proceed. Patients currently taking isotretinoin (Accutane) should wait at least 6 months after completing their course before beginning laser treatments, as the medication impairs skin healing. Patients with a history of keloid scarring should discuss their risk profile with Dr. Akhavan during the consultation — treatment is possible but requires modified protocols. Any additional contraindications will be evaluated during your in-person consultation.
Tattoo Removal Before and After Results
Transparent Pricing and Packages
PicoWay laser tattoo removal at The Dermatology and Laser Group starts at $800 per session for tattoos up to 20 square centimeters. This pricing reflects the medical standard of care — every session is personally performed by Dr. Arash Akhavan using the most advanced picosecond laser available.
Several factors influence your overall investment:
- Tattoo size — Larger tattoos require more laser passes per session and typically more sessions overall
- Ink colors — Multi-colored tattoos with stubborn pigments (greens, blues, reds) may need additional sessions compared to black-only designs
- Tattoo age — Older tattoos that have naturally begun to fade often respond more quickly to laser treatment
- Skin type — Darker skin tones may require more conservative energy settings, which can affect session count
- Professional vs. amateur ink — Professional tattoos typically have more deeply embedded, densely packed pigment requiring more sessions than amateur or homemade work
During your complimentary consultation, Dr. Akhavan evaluates your specific tattoo and provides a transparent treatment plan with clear cost expectations. While laser tattoo removal is a meaningful investment, choosing a board-certified dermatologist who performs the treatment personally often reduces your total cost — fewer sessions needed, better clearance per session, and no risk of complications requiring corrective treatment.
Patient Testimonials and Reviews
How PicoWay Compares to Other Laser Platforms
The table below compares the Candela PicoWay against other laser systems commonly used for tattoo removal across New York City. These comparisons reflect published clinical data and manufacturer specifications — not marketing claims.
| Feature | PicoWay | PicoSure | Q-Switched Nd:YAG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pulse Duration | 300–450 ps | 550–750 ps | 5–20 ns |
| Wavelengths | 532, 730, 785, 1064 nm | 532, 755, 1064 nm | 1064, 532 nm |
| Color Range | All ink colors | Limited on reds/yellows | Black and dark inks only |
| All Skin Types | Yes — Fitzpatrick I–VI | Caution for types V–VI | Caution for types V–VI |
| Typical Sessions | 5–10 | 6–12 | 8–15+ |
| Primary Mechanism | Photoacoustic | Photo-thermal + acoustic | Primarily thermal |
| Scarring Risk | Very low | Low | Moderate |
| Patient Comfort | Most comfortable | Moderate | More discomfort |
| Typical Downtime | 1–3 days | 2–5 days | 3–7 days |
Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Tattoo Removal
Most patients need 5 to 10 sessions for significant to complete clearance. Black ink on lighter skin averages approximately 5 sessions, while multi-colored tattoos or darker skin types may require sessions at the higher end of that range. Factors that influence session count include the tattoo’s size, age, ink density, number of colors, and your body’s individual healing response. During your consultation at our Manhattan office, Dr. Akhavan evaluates your specific tattoo and provides an honest estimate of what to expect.
Most patients at our practice report minimal to zero discomfort during treatment. We use a three-step comfort protocol: prescription-strength numbing cream applied before the session, targeted numbing injections for deeper anesthesia, and continuous cooling with the Zimmer Cooler device throughout the procedure. The PicoWay laser itself produces less discomfort than older laser systems because its ultra-short picosecond pulses generate less heat in the skin.
Yes — this is one of the PicoWay’s primary advantages. With four wavelengths (532nm, 730nm, 785nm, and 1064nm), it can effectively target every common tattoo ink color including black, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Older Q-switched lasers and even the PicoSure have limited effectiveness on certain stubborn pigments, particularly greens and certain reds. The PicoWay’s dedicated 730nm and 785nm wavelengths were specifically designed for these difficult colors.
Yes. The PicoWay is safe across all skin types, including Fitzpatrick types IV, V, and VI. Because the laser uses ultra-short picosecond pulses that create a photoacoustic effect rather than relying on heat, there is significantly less risk of hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, and scarring compared to older laser technologies. Dr. Akhavan customizes laser parameters for each patient’s specific skin type and tone to maximize safety and efficacy.
PicoWay laser tattoo removal at The Dermatology and Laser Group starts at $800 per session for tattoos up to 20 square centimeters. Total cost depends on your tattoo’s size, the number of ink colors, and the number of sessions required. Dr. Akhavan provides a transparent, personalized cost estimate during your complimentary consultation.
Both are picosecond lasers, but PicoWay is the more advanced platform. PicoWay delivers faster pulses (300–450 picoseconds vs. PicoSure’s 550–750 picoseconds), operates across four wavelengths compared to PicoSure’s three, and uses a photoacoustic mechanism that is safer for all skin types including darker tones. Our practice originally used PicoSure but upgraded to PicoWay specifically because published clinical data demonstrated superior clearance rates with fewer sessions and less discomfort.
When performed by an experienced, board-certified dermatologist using appropriate laser settings, scarring is extremely unlikely. The PicoWay’s ultra-short pulses and reduced heat output make it one of the safest tattoo removal platforms available. Scarring is more commonly associated with older laser technologies, incorrect energy settings, or treatments performed by undertrained operators — which is why provider selection is one of the most important decisions in the tattoo removal process.
Absolutely. Many patients come specifically to fade an existing tattoo enough for a tattoo artist to create a new design over it. This typically requires fewer sessions than complete removal, making it a faster and more affordable option. Dr. Akhavan can coordinate with your tattoo artist to determine the ideal level of fading for your planned cover-up.
The Manhattan Address for Ink Removal
The Dermatology and Laser Group is located at 110 East 60th Street, tucked between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue on the Upper East Side. Our patients travel from across Manhattan for treatment — from Midtown East and Lenox Hill to Sutton Place, Murray Hill, and Central Park South. The office is minutes from the 4, 5, 6, N, R, and W subway lines, making it one of the most accessible dermatology practices in New York City. Whether this is your first laser tattoo removal session or your fifth, you will find a private, medical-grade environment designed for your safety and comfort.
