A-ONE LASER & AESTHETIC CLINIC · SOMERVILLE MA
Complete Tattoo Removal with PicoWay®
When you're ready for a tattoo to be gone — not faded, not adjusted, gone — our PicoWay® laser is built to get you there, whatever colors or how many years the ink has had to set in.
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FDA- Cleared PicoWay Technology
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State-Board Licensed Specialists
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Effective on black, blue & green ink
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Free consultation
A-ONE LASER & AESTHETIC CLINIC · SOMERVILLE MA
Complete Tattoo Removal Is Different for Every Tattoo
Every tattoo has its own removal timeline. Ink color, density, depth, location, layering, and treatment history can all influence how many laser tattoo removal sessions you may need.
Ink Color
Tattoo ink color plays an important role in laser tattoo removal. Black and other dark pigments often respond efficiently to laser energy, while colors such as blue, green, red, orange, and yellow may require different wavelengths and treatment approaches. PicoWay® offers multiple wavelengths designed to target a broader range of tattoo pigments.
Ink Density & Depth
The amount and depth of ink beneath the skin can significantly affect the removal process. Professional tattoos are often more densely saturated and may contain ink at greater or varying depths, while amateur and stick-and-poke tattoos may contain less pigment. Heavily saturated, layered, or repeatedly touched-up tattoos may require additional treatments.
Tattoo Age
The age of your tattoo can also influence treatment. Older tattoos may have already experienced some natural fading and pigment breakdown over time. However, tattoo age alone does not determine how easily or completely a tattoo can be removed.
Tattoo Location
Where your tattoo is located can affect how it responds to treatment. Because tattoo removal relies partly on the body's natural processes to clear fragmented ink particles, circulation and lymphatic activity may influence the rate of fading. Areas with better circulation — like the chest or upper arm — tend to clear ink faster than areas farther from the heart, like the ankle or foot.
Skin Type & Healing Response
Your skin type, pigmentation, and individual healing response are important considerations when developing a laser tattoo removal treatment plan. We evaluate your skin and tattoo before treatment and allow appropriate healing time between sessions to help support safe, progressive fading.
Previous Tattoo Removal Treatments
If your tattoo has been treated previously elsewhere, let us know during your consultation. Previous laser treatments, residual pigment, textural changes, or scar tissue can affect how the tattoo responds and may influence the treatment approach moving forward.
CANDELA PICOWAY LASER TECHNOLOGY
How Do PicoWay® Laser Works?
PicoWay® uses ultra-short picosecond laser pulses to target tattoo pigment beneath the skin. The rapid energy creates a photoacoustic effect that breaks the ink into smaller particles while limiting unnecessary heat exposure to surrounding tissue. Over the following weeks, your body gradually processes and clears portions of the fragmented pigment, allowing the tattoo to progressively fade with each treatment.
Powerful Technology. Surprisingly Simple Concept.
01 — TARGET
The Correct Wavelength Focuses on the Ink.
We select the appropriate PicoWay® wavelength and treatment settings based on your tattoo colors, ink density, skin type, and treatment goals.
02 — PULSE
Pigment Absorbs Picosecond Energy
PicoWay utilizes ultra-short laser pulses, measured in trillionths of a, to target tattoo pigment effectively while minimizing heat exposure to the surrounding tissue.
03 — FRAGMENT
Tattoo ink is broken down into smaller particles.
The quick energy generates a powerful photoacoustic effect that breaks down the targeted tattoo ink into significantly smaller particles.
04 — CLEAR
Your Body Continues the Process
In the coming weeks, your body will naturally eliminate broken-down pigment, allowing the tattoo to gradually fade with ongoing treatments and healing.
Laser starts the process. Your body continues it.
COMPLETE TATTOO REMOVAL PROCESS
Your Laser Tattoo Removal Journey at A-ONE LASER
01 — Free Tattoo Removal Consultation
We evaluate your tattoo’s ink colors, density, size, location, skin type, and treatment history to develop a personalized PicoWay® laser tattoo removal plan and discuss a realistic treatment timeline.
02 — PicoWay® Treatment Sessions
During each session, PicoWay® delivers ultra-short picosecond laser pulses that target and fragment tattoo pigment into smaller particles that your body can gradually process and clear.
03 — Healing & Fading Between Sessions
Treatments are generally spaced approximately 8–10 weeks apart, depending on your skin’s response and healing. This allows time for your skin to recover while your body continues processing fragmented tattoo pigment between sessions.
04 — Progressive Tattoo Fading
Your tattoo gradually fades throughout the treatment process. The amount and rate of fading vary based on ink color, density, depth, tattoo location, skin type, treatment history, and individual response. Multiple sessions are generally required, for desired results.
INK COLORS
Black Ink vs. Multicolor Tattoo Removal
Black & Gray Tattoo Ink
Black and dark tattoo pigments typically absorb laser energy efficiently, making them among the most responsive colors in laser tattoo removal. However, the number of treatments needed still depends on factors such as ink density, depth, tattoo age, location, layering, and individual response.
Multicolor Tattoos
Multicolor tattoo removal requires a more customized approach because different ink pigments absorb different wavelengths of laser energy. PicoWay® offers multiple wavelengths designed to target a broader range of tattoo colors, including traditionally challenging pigments such as blue and green.
For tattoos containing several colors, treatment settings may be adjusted throughout the removal process based on the pigments present and how each color responds.
TREATMENT SAFETY
Laser Tattoo Removal, Scarring & Skin Changes
Laser tattoo removal is designed to progressively break down unwanted tattoo pigment, but the skin still needs time to heal after each treatment. Temporary reactions such as redness, swelling, tenderness, blistering, crusting, or temporary changes in pigmentation can occur as part of the healing process.
Although uncommon, scarring, changes in skin texture, hypopigmentation (lightening), or hyperpigmentation (darkening) are possible risks with laser tattoo removal. Individual risk can vary based on skin type, tattoo characteristics, treatment settings, previous scarring, sun exposure, healing response, and aftercare.
At A-One Laser & Aesthetic Clinic, we take a careful, individualized approach to PicoWay® laser tattoo removal, including appropriate treatment settings, adequate healing time between sessions, and detailed aftercare instructions. Your skin and tattoo response are evaluated throughout the treatment process rather than rushing toward clearance.
Healthy healing is just as important as tattoo fading.
YOUR TATTOO REMOVAL GOAL
Complete Tattoo Removal or Fading for a Cover-Up?
Laser tattoo removal doesn’t always mean removing every visible trace of a tattoo. Some clients want complete tattoo removal, while others simply want to fade an existing tattoo enough to give their tattoo artist more flexibility for a cover-up. Your treatment plan can be tailored around the result you’re trying to achieve.
Choose Complete Tattoo Removal If:
Your goal is to remove as much of the existing tattoo as possible and you do not plan to place new artwork over the area. Treatment continues progressively based on how the individual ink colors respond and how your skin heals between sessions.
Choose Tattoo Fading for a Cover-Up If:
ou’re planning a new tattoo in the same area and your tattoo artist wants the existing design lighter before beginning the cover-up. Rather than pursuing maximum clearance, laser treatments can selectively fade the old tattoo to create a better canvas for new artwork.
Explore Tattoo Fading for Cover-Ups →
PRICING & PACKAGES
Transparent Pricing, No Uncertainty
Free Consultation
Get Measured, Get a Quote
We assess your tattoo in person and provide you with accurate price based on its size and intricacy — no guessing, no inflated estimates.
Pay Per Session
Flexible, As You Go
Perfect for those looking to fade a tattoo for a cover-up, assess their skin's reaction, or prefer to pay for treatments individually.
Session Packages
Plan the Full Removal
Clients seeking complete removal may find that bundled packages provide greater value for the multiple sessions typically needed for tattoo removal.
Tattoo pricing varies based on the size, ink density, colors, and placement of your design. Since each tattoo is unique, every quote is tailored to you. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, and we’ll provide you with a precise price before you make any commitments.
Tattoo Removal Questions Answered
Complete Tattoo Removal FAQs
How many laser tattoo removal sessions will I need?
There is no single number that applies to every tattoo. The number of sessions needed for complete tattoo removal depends on factors such as ink color, density and depth, tattoo size and location, layering, previous treatments, skin type, and individual response.
Does PicoWay® tattoo removal hurt?
Laser tattoo removal can cause discomfort, and the sensation varies depending on the tattoo's location, size, and your individual sensitivity. Treatment is typically delivered in short laser pulses, and we can discuss cooling and available comfort options before your session.
Is there downtime after laser tattoo removal?
Most clients can return to normal activities the same day. Temporary redness, swelling, tenderness, blistering, or crusting may occur while the skin heals. We provide detailed aftercare instructions to support proper healing between treatments.
Removing an eyebrow tattoo, microblading, or scalp pigmentation instead? These use different pigments and need a different approach than body tattoos — see our dedicated pages:
Complete Laser Tattoo Removal in Somerville & Greater Boston
If you're looking for professional laser tattoo removal near Boston, Somerville, Cambridge, Medford, Arlington, Everett, or Malden, A-One Laser & Aesthetic Clinic provides personalized tattoo removal using Candela PicoWay® picosecond laser technology.
Every tattoo is different. We evaluate your ink colors, density, size, location, skin type, treatment history, and removal goals to create an individualized treatment plan—whether you want to pursue maximum possible clearance, remove an unwanted tattoo gradually, or determine what level of removal may realistically be achievable.
Serving Somerville, Cambridge, Medford, Arlington, Everett, Malden, Boston, and surrounding Greater Boston communities.
Removing a tattoo as part of your transition? A-One Laser & Aesthetic Clinic also offers gender-affirming laser hair removal and electrolysis, with personalized treatment plans centered on your individual goals, privacy, and comfort in a respectful, judgment-free environment.