Tattoo ink particles are extremely small so optimally a very short pulse is needed to break them up. PicoSure is a picosecond domain device, producing pulse durations in the trillionth of a second. PicoSure works first by applying a mechanical or acoustic effect that simply breaks up the pigment; second is a thermal effect.

Unlike previous lasers used to remove tattoos, the PicoSure laser deposits an extreme amount of energy so fast that the tattoo ink, experiences significant photomechanical effects leading to a break-up of the ink or pigment particles. It can even remove difficult ink colors as well as previously treated tattoos faster and with fewer treatments.