Doctor-led PicoSure tattoo removal in Marylebone, London. Advanced picosecond laser clears all ink colours, from £150. Book a consultation with Dr Joney De Souza.
If you have a tattoo you no longer want, PicoSure offers a genuine route to clear, even skin. It works across the widest colour range of any laser system we offer, so designs that older machines could barely touch are now well within reach.
A full assessment always comes first. Your skin type, ink and medical history are reviewed before any course is agreed, so the plan fits your tattoo rather than a template.
PicoSure is not a single-session eraser, and very old or heavily saturated ink can take a longer course to clear fully. If your skin is currently sun-damaged, broken or actively tanned over the tattoo, treatment is postponed until the area settles. Your consultation gives you an honest view of what is realistic before anything begins.
PicoSure is a picosecond laser from Cynosure, one of the most advanced systems in the world for permanent tattoo removal. It delivers ultrashort pulses lasting around one-trillionth of a second, shattering tattoo ink into dust-like particles that your body absorbs naturally over the following weeks.
Dr Joney De Souza Skin and Laser is one of the few clinics in Marylebone able to offer PicoSure. The laser targets black, blue, red, green and multi-coloured pigments that traditional machines cannot reach, while sparing the surrounding skin.
Related treatments at Dr Joney De Souza: PicoSure skin & pigmentation and our laser treatments.
Every result below is a real Dr Joney De Souza patient. Use the slider to see the change. Results vary from person to person.
PicoSure works on a photomechanical, or pressure-wave, principle rather than the burning heat that older lasers rely on. Each pulse lasts only around one-trillionth of a second, so the energy reaches the ink faster than heat can transfer into the surrounding tissue.
That speed is what shatters the pigment into fine, dust-like particles. Your immune system then clears those particles through the lymphatic system over the weeks that follow, which is why a treated tattoo keeps fading between visits.
A picosecond is one-trillionth of a second, and PicoSure fires energy in pulses this brief. The pulse is so short that it acts on the ink before heat can spread into the surrounding skin, and that is what separates PicoSure from slower, older lasers.
Older nanosecond lasers relied largely on heat to break up ink, so more energy passed into the skin. PicoSure delivers a rapid mechanical shockwave instead, shattering pigment by pressure rather than cooking it out, which keeps the treatment gentle even on stubborn deposits.
The ultrashort pulse creates a photomechanical pressure wave inside each pigment cluster. The ink fractures into extremely fine, dust-like particles that are many times smaller than the fragments older lasers leave behind.
Once the ink is fragmented, your own immune system does the rest. Specialised cells gradually clear the tiny particles through the lymphatic system over the following weeks, which is why a tattoo keeps fading between sessions rather than disappearing all at once.
Different pigments absorb light differently, so single-wavelength lasers leave certain colours behind. PicoSure targets black, blue, red, green and multi-coloured inks that older machines cannot shift, which makes it versatile across complex, mixed-colour designs.
The same picosecond technology that targets ink also encourages a natural skin-renewal response. So little heat reaches the surrounding skin that the treated area frequently looks clearer and smoother as the course progresses.
Every tattoo responds differently, so you are guided through a clear process from first consultation to final review. Most tattoos need 4 to 8 sessions spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart, which gives your skin time to heal and your body time to clear pigment between visits.
Your treatment is carried out by Dr Joney De Souza, Dr Mattia Parducci, or Roma, our laser and skin specialist. Your consultation is with Dr Joney De Souza or Dr Mattia Parducci.
You attend a consultation at our Marylebone clinic where your practitioner assesses your tattoo, skin type, ink colours and depth. Suitability varies, so this step confirms that PicoSure is right for you and sets realistic expectations. An estimated number of sessions is agreed before anything begins, and you are asked to keep the area clean and out of direct sun beforehand.
Using ultrashort picosecond pulses, the PicoSure laser shatters the tattoo pigment into dust-like particles. Most sessions take between 5 and 20 minutes depending on the size and complexity of the design, and a topical anaesthetic can be applied for comfort. The pulses are so brief that patients typically describe the sensation as a quick, hot flick, and a cooling device can be used for added comfort.
You may notice mild redness, swelling or a temporary frosting effect that usually settles within a few hours to a couple of days, and occasional light scabbing is part of normal healing. Gentle aftercare protects the skin, so we advise keeping the area clean, moisturised and out of the sun. Your practitioner then reviews your progress at each visit and adjusts your plan to achieve the clearest possible result.
Tattoo removal is a medical procedure, and the skill of the person holding the laser matters as much as the device itself. Patients choose our Marylebone clinic for the combination of doctor-led care, advanced technology and a plan built around your ink and your skin.
Carried out by Dr Joney De Souza, Dr Mattia Parducci, or Roma, our laser and skin specialist. Your consultation is with Dr Joney De Souza or Dr Mattia Parducci.
“My ‘less is more’ approach has become the mainstay of my practice and clients appreciate that they will have natural looking results.”
Dr Joney De Souza, The Sybarite
Your skin deserves genuine clinical judgement, so every course is directed by a doctor rather than delegated to an unsupervised operator. You receive an honest assessment of what is realistic for your particular tattoo, careful technique that protects the surrounding skin and a plan that is reviewed and adjusted at each visit.
PicoSure tattoo removal at Dr Joney De Souza starts from £150 per session. The final cost depends on the size, colour and complexity of your tattoo, so a full price is confirmed once your ink has been assessed. You also receive an estimated number of sessions, so you understand the total investment before your course begins.
No two tattoos are the same, so your exact plan and price are confirmed at your personal consultation.
A course of four sessions offers the best value. Most tattoos need several sessions, depending on ink, colour and depth.
| Tattoo size | Single (£) | Course of 4 (£) |
|---|---|---|
Extra large | 350 | 1,260 |
Large | 300 | 1,080 |
Medium | 250 | 900 |
Small | 200 | 720 |
Very small | 150 | 540 |
The same PicoSure laser that clears tattoo ink is also a leading treatment for pigmentation, sun spots, acne scarring and dull, uneven skin. It targets discolouration with the same gentle, low-heat precision, so many patients continue with skin-focused PicoSure sessions once their tattoo has fully cleared.
Pairing the two makes sense for anyone who wants both an unwanted tattoo removed and a clearer, more even complexion around it. If uneven tone is your main concern, our pigmentation treatments map out a focused plan, and the sequence is arranged so each session supports the next rather than a one-size-fits-all package.
Related reading: how many PicoSure sessions are needed to remove a tattoo.
Tattoo removal raises plenty of practical questions, so we have answered the most common ones below. The number of sessions, comfort and results depend on your tattoo and skin, so a consultation at our Marylebone clinic gives you the most accurate guidance.
PicoSure tattoo removal at Dr Joney De Souza starts from £150 per session. The final cost depends on the size, colour and complexity of your tattoo, so the full price is confirmed at your consultation. You also receive an estimated number of sessions, so you understand the total investment before starting.
Most tattoos require 4 to 8 sessions, spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart, although some need more for full clearance. The size, ink colours, depth of pigment and how your body responds all vary, so the exact number is confirmed at your consultation. Older and smaller tattoos tend to clear in fewer sessions.
Downtime is minimal, and most clients return to work immediately. The laser targets pigment, so you may notice redness, swelling or a temporary frosting effect right after treatment. These reactions usually settle within a few hours to a couple of days, and occasional mild scabbing is part of normal healing.
Results appear gradually, since your body needs time to clear the shattered ink between sessions. Most patients notice visible fading after the first few treatments, with continued improvement over the full course. Once clearance is complete, the result is permanent, as the removed pigment does not return. Very old or heavily saturated ink may leave a faint shadow that a longer course can improve further.
PicoSure is a well-established, medically supervised treatment, and when performed correctly it carries a low risk of scarring. The pulses are so brief that most patients describe the sensation as a quick, hot flick rather than sustained pain. A cooling device or numbing cream can be used to keep you comfortable throughout.
Treatment is carried out by Dr Joney De Souza, Dr Mattia Parducci, or Roma, our laser and skin specialist. Your consultation is with Dr Joney De Souza or Dr Mattia Parducci. Tattoo removal is a medical procedure, so this doctor-led approach protects your skin while maximising ink clearance.
PicoSure uses ultrashort picosecond pulses, so it breaks ink into much smaller particles than traditional lasers and the body clears pigment more efficiently, often with fewer sessions and reduced heat damage. It also fades stubborn colours that older machines leave behind, and you can see the full range of systems we use on our laser treatments page.
Yes. The same picosecond technology that targets ink also treats pigmentation, sun spots and dullness, which you can explore on our PicoSure skin and pigmentation page. Many patients continue with skin-focused sessions once their tattoo has cleared, and your practitioner will advise on the right sequence at your consultation.
Patients across London trust Dr Joney De Souza Skin & Laser for natural, precise and safe results. Every review reflects our commitment to expert, doctor-led care at our Marylebone clinic.
I highly recommend Dr. Joney and his clinic. I have been his patient for many years and he is definitely one of the best. His work is natural and subtle, he always puts the patient’s interest first and will never try to upsell unnecessary treatments.
Had an excellent experience today getting the Profhilo treatment done by Dr. Joney De Souza. The entire team was so friendly, and prepped me about what I should expect during and after the treatment.
Dr Joney is the most wonderful Dr, kind and caring and highly experienced. I feel safe in his care and trust his opinion 100%.
