Candela PicoWay — The Most Versatile Picosecond Laser

Technical Specifications

| Specification | Detail | |---|---| | Manufacturer | Candela (Syneron Candela) | | Model | PicoWay | | Wavelengths | 532nm, 785nm, 1064nm | | Pulse Duration | 300ps (1064nm), 375ps (532nm/785nm) — shortest in category | | Max Fluence | 1064nm: up to 20 J/cm², 532nm: up to 4.7 J/cm², 785nm: up to 1.8 J/cm² | | Spot Sizes | 2-10mm | | Repetition Rate | Up to 10 Hz | | Handpieces | Zoom (tattoo), Resolve (fractional skin rejuvenation), Fusion (large spot skin) | | Clinical Applications | Multi-Color Tattoo Removal, Pigmented Lesions, Skin Rejuvenation (Resolve), Acne Scars, Melasma | | FDA Clearances | K142572, K190879 | | Year Range | 2015-2026 | | New MSRP | $150,000-$200,000 | | Pre-Owned Market | $45,000-$90,000 |

Pre-Owned Pricing Breakdown

| Condition | Year | Configuration | Price Range | |---|---|---|---| | Like New | 2023-2026 | All 3 wavelengths + Resolve | $75,000-$90,000 | | Excellent | 2021-2023 | All 3 wavelengths | $60,000-$75,000 | | Good | 2019-2021 | 532nm + 1064nm (no 785nm) | $50,000-$60,000 | | Fair | 2015-2019 | 1064nm only | $40,000-$50,000 |

Key Maintenance Costs

| Item | Cost | Frequency | |---|---|---| | Nd:YAG Pump Diode | $15,000-$25,000 | Every 50-100M pulses | | 532nm KTP Crystal | $5,000-$8,000 | As needed | | 785nm Module | $10,000-$15,000 | If adding to older system | | Resolve Handpiece | $15,000-$20,000 | One-time (skin rejuvenation add-on) | | Annual Service (OEM) | $15,000-$22,000/yr | Candela contract | | Annual Service (ISO) | $8,000-$14,000/yr | Third-party service |

PicoWay vs Competing Picosecond Platforms

| Feature | PicoWay | PicoSure | Quanta Discovery Pico | Fotona StarWalker MaQX | |---|---|---|---|---| | Wavelengths | 532, 785, 1064nm | 755nm (+532 opt) | 532, 694, 1064nm | 523, 585, 650, 1064nm | | Shortest Pulse | 300ps ★ | 550ps | 370ps | 580ps | | All Ink Colors | Yes (3 wavelengths) | No (weak on red/orange) | Yes (3 wavelengths) | Yes (4 wavelengths) | | Skin Rejuvenation | Resolve handpiece | Focus Lens Array | No | No | | Used Price | $45K-$90K | $35K-$75K | $40K-$70K | $50K-$80K | | Best For | Multi-color tattoo clinics | Blue/green ink + skin rejuv | Value-oriented practices | Maximum wavelength flexibility |

Key Advantage: The PicoWay's 785nm wavelength specifically targets blue and green inks that the 1064nm Nd:YAG wavelength cannot efficiently fragment. This eliminates the common scenario where a practice clears 80% of a tattoo but can't clear the blue/green remnants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a used Candela PicoWay cost?

Pre-owned PicoWay units trade between $45,000-$90,000. The critical pricing factor is which wavelengths are installed — a full 3-wavelength system (532nm + 785nm + 1064nm) commands a $15,000-$25,000 premium over a 2-wavelength configuration.

Is PicoWay better than PicoSure for tattoo removal?

For multi-color tattoo removal, yes. The PicoWay's 3 wavelengths cover the full ink color spectrum, while PicoSure's single 755nm wavelength struggles with red, orange, and yellow inks. PicoSure maintains an advantage in skin rejuvenation via its Focus Lens Array. If your practice is primarily tattoo removal, PicoWay is the superior choice.

What is the PicoWay Resolve handpiece?

Resolve is a fractional handpiece that splits the PicoWay's beam into a holographic array of micro-beams, creating laser-induced optical breakdown (LIOB) in the dermis. This stimulates collagen remodeling for skin rejuvenation, acne scars, and wrinkle reduction — giving the PicoWay a second revenue stream beyond tattoo removal.