What does the Discovery Pico laser treat?

The Discovery Pico effectively treats sunspots and age spots, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), freckles, benign pigmented lesions, tattoo removal (all colors), overall skin tone and quality, and fine lines through collagen stimulation in its fractional mode. Its multiple wavelengths and pulse modes allow customization for different pigment types and skin concerns.

What makes a picosecond laser better than a traditional Q-switched laser?

Traditional Q-switched lasers use nanosecond pulses and work primarily through a photothermal mechanism — heating pigment particles to shatter them. Picosecond lasers deliver pulses 100 times shorter, creating a photoacoustic or pressure-wave effect that shatters pigment into smaller particles more completely and with less surrounding heat. This produces more thorough pigment clearance, less risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and better results across a wider range of skin tones.

How many Discovery Pico sessions are needed?

Session numbers vary by concern. Pigmented lesions may clear in 1 to 3 sessions. Melasma requires more sessions — typically 6 to 10 at lower energy settings — and ongoing maintenance. Tattoo removal requires 6 to 15 or more sessions depending on ink colors, depth, and age of the tattoo. Skin quality improvement protocols typically involve a series of 4 to 6 sessions.

Is the Discovery Pico safe for darker skin tones?

Picosecond technology, including the Discovery Pico, has a significantly better safety profile for medium to darker skin tones than traditional ablative lasers or older Q-switched devices. The photoacoustic mechanism and shorter pulse duration produce less thermal damage to surrounding tissue, reducing the risk of PIH. A test spot and careful consultation are still recommended for all patients with medium to dark skin.

How is tattoo removal with Discovery Pico different from older laser tattoo removal?

Discovery Pico's ultra-short picosecond pulses break ink particles into smaller fragments than nanosecond lasers, allowing the immune system to clear them more efficiently. This means more ink clearance per session and often fewer total sessions required. Pico technology is also more effective for challenging ink colors like light blues, greens, and reds that are difficult to remove with nanosecond lasers.

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Expert laser care with follow-up

Laser Tattoo Removal and Permanent Makeup Removal in Studio City and Banning, CA

Maybe it’s a tattoo that no longer feels like you, or microbladed brows that didn’t turn out quite how you imagined. Whatever the reason, you’re ready for a change, but you might have questions about pain, scarring, or how many sessions it will take.

At Beyond The Needle in Studio City and Banning, CA, we use Discovery Pico laser technology to gradually fade unwanted tattoos and permanent makeup. We walk you through what to expect, numb the area before treatment, and check in as your skin heals.

The results are great, and I’m so glad I trusted them with something this delicate.

Brooke C., Google review

You’re welcome to call with any question first · (951) 577-1311 · Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM; closed Sunday

Who does it

Shawn Thursby-Palmer, FNP, MSN, a nurse practitioner, and his team

FDA clearance

our Discovery Pico laser is cleared for tattoo removal

Sessions

several, weeks apart

Brow visit

about 45 minutes, numbing first

How We Look After You Between Tattoo Removal Sessions

Your body clears broken-up ink slowly, so tattoo removal is a series of sessions, weeks apart. Each session should lighten the ink, though complete removal isn’t always possible. What you do between visits counts too: your aftercare, and keeping the area out of the sun.

It’s why we’re called Beyond The Needle: beyond that procedure, we’re still taking care of you. You go home with two aftercare products, and we check in the day after and again about a week later.

Everything from the booking process, to the lasering and even when they followed up to check on my mom, all was a 10/10 experience and we will be back.

Sam, on their mother’s visit, Google review

Eyebrow Tattoo Removal, Including Microblading and Eyeliner

Brows, eyeliner, and microblading are tattoos too, just on your face, and permanent makeup removal breaks up that pigment the same way.

Our laser’s clearance names tattoo ink by color and skin type. It doesn’t name permanent makeup, brows, or eyeliner.

One difference matters. Some cosmetic pigments can turn darker under a laser, and darkened pigment can’t be lasered out. If you know what was used in your brows or lids, tell us at your consultation.

Brows here usually take about three sessions. Picosecond lasers cleared brow pigment quicker than older Q-switched lasers, and darkening is less common, across 11 eyebrow studies of 129 people.

I was removing my microblading and was very scared to do so but they made this an enjoyable and easy experience.

Nicolette, Google review

Shorts

Our tattoo removal session Watch on YouTube

How are my eyes protected during laser tattoo removal near them?

We place shields over your eyes before any laser work near them.

How Picosecond Laser Tattoo Removal Works

Here’s how picosecond laser tattoo removal differs from older lasers:

Pulses lasting trillionths of a second, shorter than older nanosecond lasers

One wavelength for dark inks, cleared on skin types I to VI, and one for red, yellow, and orange, cleared on I to III

Better results on blue, green, and yellow inks than older lasers across 36 studies; both worked on black

Less pain than an older laser

Your Tattoo Removal Session, Step by Step

First, a free consultation at our Studio City or Banning office. Tell us how old the tattoo is, its colors, your health and medicines, and any raised scars. You leave with your plan and an exact quote.

You head home with two aftercare products. Expect a little redness for a few days; after a brow session, healing takes about two to three days.

Next, we numb the area. On a brow visit, that’s about 20 minutes before the laser starts.

Then we check in on how you’re healing, as we do after every visit.

Then comes the laser. We set it for the colors in your ink, since each color responds to its own wavelength.

A few weeks later, you’re back for the next session. We repeat the series until the ink has faded as far as it will.

Shorts

Our brow tattoo removal Watch on YouTube

How long does an eyebrow tattoo removal visit take?

About 45 minutes in all, starting with about 20 minutes of numbing. Brows usually take about three sessions.

From start to finish, every staff member was on the same page and made the experience a breeze, explaining all the steps in the process, what to expect, and made sure I was comfortable.

Jamison W., Google review

Shawn and Our Tattoo Removal Team

Shawn Thursby-Palmer, FNP, MSN, is a nurse practitioner trained at West Coast University. Before founding our offices, he worked as a pediatric clinical instructor, and today he trains other providers through our provider training program. That teaching background is why he explains each step of your tattoo removal before the laser starts.

He takes the time to explain everything thoroughly and never makes you feel rushed, uncomfortable or neglected.

Filipa B., Google review

His technique, eye for detail, and gentle approach make a difficult process that much easier.

Alex W., Google review

I had multiple sessions with Shawn to remove the black from my eyebrows, and he is such an outstanding practitioner!

S C, Google review

I did a laser tattoo removal for my eyebrows. Third time doing it. … Already so light and disappearing.

Doris G., Google review

Not gonna lie, tattoo removal can be painful, but what makes it tolerable is the AMAZING staff and Shawn! … But seriously, if I moved too much, he stopped.

Scheana M., Google review

Read all our reviews on Google: Studio City office reviews · Banning office reviews

Tattoo Removal Cost in Studio City and Banning, CA

Two things set the price of tattoo removal: the tattoo’s size and the area we’re treating. There’s no set price for it. At your free consultation, you get a personalized plan and an exact quote.

Prefer to start from home? Ask us about a virtual consultation. For our other treatments, see our treatment pricing page.

I never feel like he’s trying to upsell me and he always goes at my comfort level.

Anj K., Google review

Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM; closed Sunday

Questions People Ask Before Tattoo Removal

How many tattoo removal sessions will I need?

Before tattoo removal, tell us about every medicine you take at your consultation. Aspirin and anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen can make bruising more likely, so they’re avoided before treatment. If a medicine was prescribed for you, pause it only if your prescriber says so.

Can a tattoo be faded enough for a cover-up?

Each tattoo removal session removes more ink, so a tattoo lightens over a series. How far it fades depends on the ink, and it can stop short of complete removal. If you’re hoping to fade it enough for a cover-up, make that your goal when we plan your sessions at the consultation.

Does laser tattoo removal work on darker skin?

For laser tattoo removal, our laser is FDA-cleared to remove black, brown, green, blue, and purple ink on skin types I to VI, and red, yellow, and orange ink on skin types I to III.

Will my tattoo come off completely?

Complete tattoo removal isn’t always possible, even after many sessions. Each session should lighten the ink, and every treatment removes a little more. People often stop before they reach their best result, so it helps to see the series through as far as your ink allows.

How do I prepare for a tattoo removal session?

How should I care for my skin after laser tattoo removal?

After laser tattoo removal, protect the area from the sun for three months, ideally with clothing that blocks light. Keep it clean, use ointment as directed, and keep it covered until it heals. Some redness, swelling, or a little blistering can follow. You’ll go home with two aftercare products, and Shawn’s team checks in after your visit.

Book Laser Tattoo Removal in Studio City and Banning, CA

We’ll look after you from point A to point B: your first session, your last, and every check-in between.

The first step is small. It’s a free consultation at our Studio City or Banning office, where you get your plan and an exact quote. Book online, or call with any question first.

From the moment I walked through the door, I felt welcomed, cared for, and confident that I was in good hands.

Janet, Google review

Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM; closed Sunday

Practice

Beyond The Needle

Studio City

12406 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Banning

3080 W Ramsey St, Banning, CA 92220

Both offices

Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM; closed Sunday · (951) 577-1311