PicoSure Pro vs PicoWay

Independent side-by-side comparison with pricing, specs, and clinical evidence.

Last updated: 2026-04-09

Why This Comparison Matters

PicoSure Pro and PicoWay sit in the same tattoo removal category but take different approaches. PicoSure Pro (Cynosure (Hologic)) uses Picosecond Alexandrite Laser (755nm, 532nm, 1064nm) while PicoWay (Candela (Syneron)) uses Picosecond Nd:YAG Laser (1064nm, 532nm, 785nm, 730nm). Both received FDA clearance (2022 and 2014 respectively) and both are actively sold in the US market. The decision between them is rarely about which is objectively better. It's about which fits your specific practice.

Physicians end up comparing these two devices when they're shopping in the $165,000-$220,000 to $150,000-$210,000 price range and want a category leader. Both devices are commonly recommended by sales reps from competing manufacturers, which means physicians often hear inflated claims about one and dismissive claims about the other. This comparison strips out the marketing and looks at pricing, mechanism, evidence, and practice fit side by side.

Side-by-Side Specifications

PicoSure Pro PicoWay
Manufacturer Cynosure (Hologic) Candela (Syneron)
Technology Picosecond Alexandrite Laser (755nm, 532nm, 1064nm) Picosecond Nd:YAG Laser (1064nm, 532nm, 785nm, 730nm)
Price (New) $165,000-$220,000 $150,000-$210,000
Price (Used) $70,000-$130,000 $60,000-$120,000
Treatment Time 10-30 minutes 10-30 minutes
Sessions 4-8 sessions for tattoos 4-10 sessions for tattoos
Per Session $200-$800 per tattoo $200-$800 per tattoo
Annual Consumables $1,500-$4,000 $1,500-$4,000
Annual Maintenance $7,000-$13,000 $6,500-$12,000
FDA Cleared Yes (2022) Yes (2014)

Technology

PicoSure Pro

Technology: Picosecond Alexandrite Laser (755nm, 532nm, 1064nm). First picosecond alexandrite laser, now upgraded with 1064nm and 532nm for full-color tattoo and pigment work. Focus lens array creates non-thermal photomechanical effects for acne scars and pigmentation.

PicoWay

Technology: Picosecond Nd:YAG Laser (1064nm, 532nm, 785nm, 730nm). Four wavelengths cover the widest tattoo ink color range in the picosecond category. Shortest picosecond pulses (300-450 picoseconds) in the 532nm and 1064nm wavelengths.

Pricing

PicoSure Pro

New: $165,000-$220,000. Used: $70,000-$130,000. Per session: $200-$800 per tattoo. Annual consumables: $1,500-$4,000. Annual maintenance: $7,000-$13,000.

PicoWay

New: $150,000-$210,000. Used: $60,000-$120,000. Per session: $200-$800 per tattoo. Annual consumables: $1,500-$4,000. Annual maintenance: $6,500-$12,000.

Clinical Evidence

PicoSure Pro

60+ published studies. The most-studied picosecond laser for tattoo removal outcomes.

PicoWay

50+ published studies. Strong outcome data across all tattoo ink colors and for pigmentation treatment with the Resolve handpiece.

Treatment Experience

PicoSure Pro

10-30 minutes per session. Recommended protocol: 4-8 sessions for tattoos. Treatment areas: Tattoos, Pigmented lesions, Melasma, Acne scars (Focus lens). Patients typically tolerate this platform well when operated by trained clinicians.

PicoWay

10-30 minutes per session. Recommended protocol: 4-10 sessions for tattoos. Treatment areas: Tattoos, Benign pigmented lesions, Acne scars, Melasma. Patient experience varies by operator training and settings.

Practice Fit

PicoSure Pro

Dedicated tattoo removal clinics and dermatology practices with sustained tattoo and pigment volume. Practices that also want the Focus lens revenue line.

PicoWay

High-volume dermatology and dedicated tattoo removal clinics that treat diverse ink colors and skin types. Practices serving darker skin patients needing safe 1064nm treatment.

Pros and Cons

PicoSure Pro Pros

  • Strong brand recognition drives patient consult conversion
  • Alexandrite wavelength is strongest on green and blue ink
  • Focus lens opens revenue for acne scars and melasma
  • Extensive clinical evidence base

PicoSure Pro Cons

  • High capital cost requires sustained tattoo removal volume
  • Cynosure parent Hologic divestiture rumors
  • Not as effective as 1064nm on black ink for dark skin types

PicoWay Pros

  • Four wavelengths handle the widest range of tattoo ink colors
  • Shortest picosecond pulse duration on 1064nm and 532nm
  • Better safety profile than alexandrite for dark skin tattoo removal
  • Resolve fractional handpiece opens melasma and acne scar revenue

PicoWay Cons

  • Highest price point in the tattoo removal category
  • Candela private equity ownership limits negotiation room
  • Four wavelengths add operator training complexity

The Verdict

Choose PicoSure Pro if your practice prioritizes Cynosure (Hologic)'s ecosystem, brand recognition, or specific clinical advantages. Dedicated tattoo removal clinics and dermatology practices with sustained tattoo and pigment volume. Practices that also want the Focus lens revenue line. The pros that matter most: Strong brand recognition drives patient consult conversion; Alexandrite wavelength is strongest on green and blue ink. The biggest tradeoff to accept: High capital cost requires sustained tattoo removal volume.

Choose PicoWay if Candela (Syneron)'s positioning fits better. High-volume dermatology and dedicated tattoo removal clinics that treat diverse ink colors and skin types. Practices serving darker skin patients needing safe 1064nm treatment. The pros that matter most: Four wavelengths handle the widest range of tattoo ink colors; Shortest picosecond pulse duration on 1064nm and 532nm. The biggest tradeoff to accept: Highest price point in the tattoo removal category.

For a practice with limited capital that needs maximum flexibility, used pricing tilts the math. PicoSure Pro used units run $70,000-$130,000; PicoWay used units run $60,000-$120,000. For practices with strong patient flow already, the device that integrates with your existing platforms is usually the right answer even if its standalone specs are slightly weaker. For practices building a category from scratch, brand recognition and patient demand matter more than raw clinical specs. Look at which device patients are already asking for in your market before signing a contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more expensive, PicoSure Pro or PicoWay?

PicoSure Pro runs $165,000-$220,000 new and $70,000-$130,000 used. PicoWay runs $150,000-$210,000 new and $60,000-$120,000 used. Per-session pricing is $200-$800 per tattoo for PicoSure Pro and $200-$800 per tattoo for PicoWay. Annual operating costs (consumables plus maintenance) typically run 5-15% of purchase price for both devices. The right financial comparison includes total cost of ownership over 5 years, not just sticker price.

Which has better clinical evidence, PicoSure Pro or PicoWay?

PicoSure Pro clinical evidence: 60+ published studies. The most-studied picosecond laser for tattoo removal outcomes. PicoWay clinical evidence: 50+ published studies. Strong outcome data across all tattoo ink colors and for pigmentation treatment with the Resolve handpiece. Evidence quality is not about study count alone. Look at sample sizes, blinded evaluators, independence from manufacturer funding, and outcome durability. Older devices in the same category usually have stronger evidence because they've been studied longer.

Is PicoSure Pro or PicoWay more popular in dermatology practices?

Both PicoSure Pro and PicoWay are commonly used in dermatology, med spa, dedicated tattoo removal clinics practices. Market share in any given category shifts year to year. Cynosure (Hologic) and Candela (Syneron) both maintain active sales forces in the US. Ask other physicians in your specialty which platform they're using and why. Peer references in your local market matter more than national market share data.

Are there safety concerns with PicoSure Pro or PicoWay?

Both devices are FDA cleared and have established safety profiles. PicoSure Pro has these documented concerns: High capital cost requires sustained tattoo removal volume. PicoWay has: Highest price point in the tattoo removal category. Physicians should monitor FDA MAUDE reports for both devices before purchase. Adverse event trends matter because they signal problems that may not appear in marketing materials. Any device with a sudden spike in MAUDE filings deserves closer scrutiny.

Can I use PicoSure Pro and PicoWay in the same practice?

Some practices run both devices, especially when they target different patient segments or treatment areas. The downside is duplicated training, parallel consumable inventories, and potential cannibalization between platforms. The upside is broader marketing claims and the ability to switch patients between platforms if one doesn't deliver expected results. Most practices choose one and commit to mastering it rather than splitting volume.

What's the resale value comparison between PicoSure Pro and PicoWay?

Used PicoSure Pro sells for $70,000-$130,000 on the secondary market. Used PicoWay sells for $60,000-$120,000. Resale values depend on age, software version, applicator condition, and remaining warranty. Devices with strong installed bases hold value better. Devices with active safety signals or declining manufacturer financial health depreciate faster. Resale value should be a factor in any device purchase, especially if practice plans might change in 3-5 years.