Regretting a tattoo? You’re not alone. Every week, people across Toronto and Scarborough walk into our clinic asking the same two questions: how does laser tattoo removal actually work, and what will it cost me?
Here’s the straight answer.
How PicoWay Tattoo Removal Actually Works
PicoWay is a picosecond laser made by Candela, one of the most trusted names in medical lasers. “Picosecond” refers to the speed of the laser pulse — one trillionth of a second. That’s about 1,000 times faster than the older nanosecond lasers most clinics still use.
Why does speed matter? When the ultra-short pulse hits your tattoo ink, it creates a photo-mechanical shockwave that shatters the ink into tiny dust-like particles. Your body’s immune system then flushes those particles away naturally over the following weeks.
Older lasers mostly heat the ink. PicoWay shatters it. That difference is why PicoWay can clear tattoos that older lasers struggled with — including stubborn colours and ink that never fully faded with previous treatments.
Why PicoWay Means Fewer Sessions
This is the part Toronto clients care about most. Because each PicoWay session breaks ink down more effectively, most people need fewer sessions overall compared to traditional laser tattoo removal.
Fewer sessions means less time, less discomfort, and less money spent getting to your final result. When you’re comparing tattoo removal Toronto cost between clinics, always ask what laser they use and how many sessions they expect — a cheaper per-session price with an older laser can end up costing more in total.
Every tattoo is different, so we never guess at session counts over the phone. Your free consultation is where we assess your ink and give you a real plan.
What Decides Your Tattoo Removal Toronto Cost
Nobody can quote you an honest price without seeing the tattoo. Here’s what actually drives the cost:
Size. A small wrist tattoo costs less to treat than a full sleeve. This is the biggest factor.
Ink colours. Black ink responds fastest because it absorbs laser light best. Blues and reds usually respond well to PicoWay. Oranges, purples, and yellows can take more sessions.
Tattoo age and depth. Older tattoos often fade faster because the ink has already broken down somewhat. Deep, dense professional work takes more sessions than light amateur ink.
Your skin tone. PicoWay treats all skin tones safely. That said, the treatment plan is always customized to your skin — another reason the in-person assessment matters.
Number of sessions. Full removal typically takes multiple sessions spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart. That spacing isn’t us dragging things out — it’s your body doing the work of flushing shattered ink between visits.
We don’t publish one-size-fits-all prices because they’d be meaningless. What we do instead: a free consultation where we look at your tattoo, tell you honestly how many sessions it will likely take, and give you your exact quote. No pressure, no obligation.
Does It Hurt?
Most clients describe the feeling as a quick snap or slight tingling — uncomfortable for a moment, then it’s over. Sessions are short. A small tattoo can take just minutes. We keep you comfortable, and there’s no downtime afterward. You walk out and get on with your day.
What Happens at Your Free Consultation
You come to our clinic at 1834 Queen St E in Toronto’s Beaches/Scarborough area. We look at your tattoo, talk about what you want — full removal or fading for a cover-up — and map out your treatment plan.
We’ll tell you how many sessions to expect, what it will cost in total, and answer every question you have. If PicoWay isn’t the right fit for your tattoo, we’ll tell you that too. We’d rather be honest than sell you sessions you don’t need.
Tattoo Removal Toronto: What to Ask Before You Book
Not all Toronto tattoo removal is equal. Before you commit anywhere, ask these questions:
What laser do you use? You want a picosecond laser like PicoWay. If they say “Q-switched” or can’t name the laser, that’s older technology.
How many sessions for my tattoo? They should assess your tattoo in person before answering. A number quoted sight-unseen is a sales tactic.
What’s the total cost, not just per session? Multiply sessions by price. PicoWay’s fewer sessions often win on total cost even when the per-session price is higher.
Can I see before-and-after photos? Real client results from their own clinic — not stock photos. We show ours at every consultation.
Is the consultation actually free? Ours is. No deposit, no obligation, no pressure.
Book Your Free Tattoo Removal Consultation in Toronto
If you’re done with a tattoo that no longer fits your life, PicoWay can fade it or remove it — in fewer sessions than older lasers, on all skin tones, with real before-and-after results to show you.
Book your free consultation at New Skin Laser Clinic, 1834 Queen St E, Toronto. Call (416) 317-6696 and get your exact quote and treatment plan.