Tattoo Removal

The Real Difference Between Tattoo Removal Lasers: What Actually Works

A Modern Guide to Laser Tattoo Removal Technology — And How We Remove Ink Faster, Safer, and More Effectively

If you’re ready to break up with your tattoo, you’re in good company. Millions of people decide to remove unwanted ink every year—and thanks to today’s advancements in laser technology, removing a tattoo is safer, faster, and more effective than ever.

At LaserAway, we use state-of-the-art technology designed to fade ink with maximum precision and minimal downtime. But before you book your removal plan, it’s helpful to understand one big question:

What’s the difference between all these tattoo removal lasers—Ruby, Nd:YAG, Alexandrite, PicoWay—and why does the laser type matter?

Let’s break it all down in a way that’s actually easy to understand.

How Laser Tattoo Removal Really Works

Laser tattoo removal uses highly focused pulses of light to target the pigment in your tattoo. When the pigment absorbs that energy, it shatters into tiny particles your body naturally clears away over time.

While some fading can be seen as early as the first session, most tattoos require a series of treatments for a full result. Your total number of sessions depends on several factors: ink color, tattoo age, pigment depth, placement, and your skin’s unique characteristics.

And here’s where LaserAway patients get a major advantage.

“I co-authored a paper called The Kirby-Desai Scale. This paper has multiple parameters, and when we add those up, we can determine, within close approximation, how many treatments you personally will need to remove your unwanted tattoo.”

— Dr. Will Kirby, Chief Medical Officer

Instead of guesswork, LaserAway uses this industry-defining assessment tool to provide personalized treatment plans that are accurate and predictable.

“When you come into LaserAway for
assessment of your tattoo, our clinical staff will implement the Kirby-Desai Scale, and, with close approximation, tell you how many treatments you need to remove it.”

— Dr. Will Kirby

Why Ink Color Matters (and Why Black Ink Is Simpler Than You Think)

Not all ink colors fade at the same rate—and that’s where expert knowledge makes all the difference.

“The number one most common ink color in tattoos is black ink, and, paradoxically, for what you might think, black ink is the easiest ink to remove.”

— Dr. Will Kirby

Black pigment absorbs a wider range of wavelengths, making it the most responsive to laser energy. Brighter colors like red, orange, yellow, and stubborn shades like green or turquoise require specialized wavelengths for optimal clearance.

That’s why older, single-wavelength lasers often struggled—while today’s advanced systems (like the ones used at LaserAway) are specifically designed to target a broader color spectrum.

The Most Common Tattoo Removal Lasers—and How They Compare

Not all lasers are created equal. Here’s how the most well-known systems stack up:

Nd:YAG Laser (532 nm + 1064 nm)

Traditionally one of the most widely used tattoo removal lasers, Nd:YAG offers two wavelengths:

  • 532 nm targets brighter colors like red, orange, and yellow
  • 1064 nm targets black, blue, and green—and is the safest wavelength for deeper penetration and darker skin tones

While still a reliable option, Nd:YAG lasers often require more sessions than newer picosecond systems.

Ruby Laser

Ruby lasers primarily target black and blue inks, with some responsiveness in green, red, and yellow.

They work well on tattoos placed in areas with thinner skin but operate using nanosecond technology, meaning slower pulse speeds and often more sessions compared to picosecond lasers.

Alexandrite Laser

Known for its strong performance with green and blue pigment, Alexandrite lasers can be effective for multi-color tattoos but also rely on older nanosecond technology.

Temporary hypopigmentation is more common with this device compared to modern systems.

Why Modern Picosecond Lasers Outperform These Older Systems

The newest generation of tattoo removal lasers uses picosecond pulses—that’s trillionths of a second. These ultra-fast pulses shatter ink into much smaller particles compared to older nanosecond lasers, which:

  • Speed up ink clearance
  • Reduce the number of treatments needed
  • Minimize the risk of thermal damage
  • Improve results on challenging colors

LaserAway uses advanced picosecond technology for all tattoo removal treatments, ensuring the safest, most effective results across all skin tones and ink colors.

What to Expect During Your Treatment at LaserAway

During your treatment at LaserAway, your experience begins with a personalized consultation where your clinician assesses your tattoo using the Kirby-Desai Scale to create the safest and most effective removal plan.

A typical session includes prepping the skin and providing protective eyewear, followed by cooling for added comfort. Your clinician then applies picosecond laser pulses directly to the pigment, producing a sensation many describe as a quick rubber-band snap.

Afterward, it’s normal to see mild redness, swelling, or temporary whitening of the skin. Keeping the area clean, avoiding sun exposure, and allowing the skin to heal fully between sessions will help you achieve the best results.

So, Which Laser Is Best? Here’s the Bottom Line

With the right technology and expert guidance, even stubborn tattoos can be dramatically faded—or completely removed. While older laser types like Ruby, Nd:YAG, and Alexandrite still play a role in the history of tattoo removal, today’s picosecond lasers deliver clearer, faster, safer results across the board.

LaserAway combines this cutting-edge technology with industry-leading expertise and the Kirby-Desai Scale to create the most predictable, effective treatment plans available.

Ready to start your own removal journey? Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our treatment specialists today.

References

  1. “Laser Tattoo Removal: Laser Principles and an Updated Guide for Clinicians,”
    Lasers in Medical Science, May 23, 2022.
  2. “Laser Tattoo Removal Strategies: Part II: A Review of the Methods, Techniques, and Complications Involved in Tattoo Removal,”
    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, July 9, 2024.

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The Real Difference Between Tattoo Removal Lasers: What Actually Works
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