Twenty-five most-asked questions about picosecond tattoo removal, answered honestly. If you can't find your answer here, the free virtual consultation will cover it.
Sessions and timeline
- How many sessions will it take? 4–6 for typical tattoos, 8–12 for large multi-color pieces. Detailed session guide
- How far apart are sessions? 6–8 weeks for most patients. 8–10 weeks for darker skin or large tattoos
- How long until I see results? Visible fading after first session, peak fade 2–4 weeks per session
- Can I get my whole tattoo done in one trip? No. Sessions need 6+ weeks between for immune clearance
- How long is one session? 5–60 minutes depending on tattoo size
Pain and recovery
- How much does it hurt? Comparable to getting the original tattoo. Pain guide
- Can I get numbing cream? Yes. Topical lidocaine 30 min pre-treatment is standard
- How long is recovery? 5–7 days of visible recovery, full healing 2 weeks
- Can I exercise after? Light walking yes; full exercise after 1 week
- Can I shower? Yes, gentle wash next day. Avoid soaking treated area
Effectiveness
- Will my tattoo fully disappear? Most do. Some leave faint "ghost" outline
- What about red and green ink? Picosecond clears them. Color guide
- What about white ink? Risky — may darken paradoxically. Test patch first
- Can you remove a cover-up? Yes, but more sessions due to layered ink
- What about old tattoos vs new? Older usually fade faster. New (under 6 months) should wait
Safety
- Is it safe for dark skin? Yes with picosecond, careful protocol. Dark skin guide
- Will it scar? Less than 2 % with picosecond + proper aftercare
- Can I do it while pregnant? No — wait until after pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Are there contraindications? Active skin infection, recent sun exposure, photosensitive medications
- Can it cause cancer? No. Picosecond is non-ionizing and doesn't damage DNA
Cost and logistics
- How much does it cost at Elyzea? S/100 (~US$29) per session
- How does that compare to the US? US averages $200–$600 per session
- Why is Lima cheaper? Lower clinic overhead, exchange rate, no licensing premiums on the equipment
- Is it worth flying for? For multi-session courses or large tattoos, yes. Trip planning
- Can I combine with other treatments? Yes — common to pair with HIFU, fillers, or HydraFacial
Final clarifying answers
- Picosecond vs Nd:YAG: picosecond is 3× faster, clears all colors, safer on dark skin. Tech comparison
- What if my clinic uses Nd:YAG only? For small light-skinned black tattoos, OK. For everything else, find a picosecond clinic
- What's the consultation like? Free virtual or in-person. What to look for in a clinic
- How do I book? Free consultation via WhatsApp — no obligation
- Is there a guarantee? No reputable clinic guarantees specific session counts. Sessions adjust based on response
Common scenarios FAQ
Recent tattoo (under 6 months) — should I remove now?
Wait. Skin needs to fully heal first. Sometimes natural fading reduces removal need.
Multiple tattoos — do I treat all at once?
Possible to treat multiple in same session. Discuss session timing with consultation.
Job-relocating soon — can I time removal?
Plan 12+ months before. Session intervals 6-8 weeks.
Wedding in 6 months — can I have visible tattoo at ceremony?
Possibly. Cover-up makeup or strategic positioning. Photos under control.
Pregnant — can I plan removal post-baby?
Yes. Postpone until after breastfeeding.
Diabetic — can I have laser tattoo removal?
Yes generally. Slower healing. Discuss with consultation.
Picosecond laser at Elyzea — modern technology that outperforms Nd:YAG
Most Lima tattoo-removal clinics still operate Nd:YAG (Q-switched) lasers from the 2000s — these older devices typically need 10–15 sessions for the same result a modern picosecond laser delivers in 4–6 sessions, and they are notably less effective on red, blue, and green ink. Modern picosecond lasers deliver pulses in trillionths of a second, shattering ink particles thermally without overheating surrounding tissue. This translates to faster clearance, better color clearance across the spectrum, and lower scarring risk on darker skin tones. At Elyzea we operate a modern picosecond platform — the same family of technology US celebrity clinics use. Per the published price list: S/100 (~US$29) per session. Most tattoos clear in 4–6 sessions.
Why technology choice matters for tattoo removal
Tattoo-removal outcomes depend on the laser technology used. Older Nd:YAG (Q-switched) lasers — still in widespread use across Lima — emit pulses in nanoseconds, which limits how finely they can shatter ink particles and which colors they can clear. Modern picosecond lasers operate three orders of magnitude faster (trillionths of a second), producing finer particle fragmentation and broader color clearance. The practical impact: 4–6 picosecond sessions vs 10–15 Nd:YAG sessions for similar tattoos, with substantially better outcomes on red, blue, and green ink. Picosecond also has a better safety profile on Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin tones. At Elyzea, the picosecond platform is real (not a knockoff), the operator is experienced, and the cost per session at S/100 makes the full protocol economically reasonable. Total cost for a typical tattoo: S/400–600 across 4–6 sessions.
Why Elyzea is different in Lima
Every treatment at Elyzea is evaluated by Dra. Geldres, a board-certified plastic surgeon — not delegated to a technician with a sales quota. Genuine equipment, conservative parameters, honest expectations. How visits work.
Bottom line
Picosecond tattoo removal = safest, fastest, broadest-color technology in 2026. 4-6 sessions typical. Lima at ~US$29 vs US $200-600. Free consultation removes ambiguity.