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    Nanosecond Laser

    Definition

    A laser that fires in billionths-of-a-second pulses — the older generation of tattoo-removal and pigment lasers, still effective but slower to shatter ink than picosecond lasers.

    Nanosecond (Q-switched) lasers were the gold standard for tattoo removal and pigment work for decades. Their pulses last about one billionth of a second — fast enough to shatter ink particles by heat. Picosecond technology (1,000× faster) has largely replaced them for tattoo work, but nanosecond modes are still useful at lower energies for skin toning and pigmentation.

    ℹ️ Good to KnowModern devices like the PiQo4 run in both modes so the provider can match the pulse duration to the target.

    Related Terms

    PiQo4 Laser

    A dual-wavelength picosecond laser that delivers ultra-short energy pulses for tattoo removal and skin toning across all ink colors and skin types.

    Melanin

    The natural pigment produced by melanocytes that determines skin, hair, and eye color. Also the target for laser hair removal and pigmentation treatments.

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