Why PicoWay Pain Levels Can Feel Twice as Intense — Depending on Where You Get It Done
The claim that PicoWay feels like a rubber band snap? That's only true for some areas. Ankles and ribs can feel nearly twice as painful — but 60 minutes of numbing cream makes a real difference.
PicoWay Pain Levels:
Why the Location Can Make It Feel Twice as Intense
Before You Read — Check This First.
Q. Does PicoWay really feel like just a rubber band snap?
A. For fleshier areas like the upper arm or back — yes, roughly.
But for the ankles, ribs, and back of the hand, it can feel nearly twice as intense.
That's because the pain experience varies significantly depending on the treatment area.
Q. Does numbing cream actually make it manageable?
A. The key is applying numbing cream for a full 60 minutes.
Combined with active cooling, most patients find it very tolerable.
The difference between 30 minutes and 60 minutes of numbing
is night and day.
If You Thought PicoWay Pain Was the Same Everywhere —
Here's What You Should Know
PicoWay fires laser energy in picosecond pulses — one trillionth of a second —
to shatter ink particles into extremely fine fragments.
Compared to older laser systems, thermal damage is minimal,
which means less overall discomfort —
but the sensation itself is sharp and brief,
hitting in a quick, precise burst.
Why Pain Intensity Can Vary
by Nearly 2x Depending on the Area
"With PicoWay, it's not the energy output that determines how much it hurts —
it's the location.
For areas close to bone,
60 minutes of numbing cream isn't optional — it's the baseline.
Always ask your provider to allow enough time
for the numbing cream to fully take effect."
— Dr. Wi Young-jin (Beautystone Clinic, Seoul)
In areas like the upper arm or thigh, where there's more soft tissue,
the shockwave from the laser disperses through the fat layer.
This significantly reduces the stimulus that reaches the nerve endings.
In contrast, areas like the ankle or back of the hand —
where bone lies just beneath the skin —
leave no room for that dispersion,
and the shockwave transmits directly to the periosteum.
That's exactly why the perceived intensity can jump by nearly 2x.
Last month, two patients had procedures on the wrist and ankle respectively,
and their pain experiences were completely different —
ultimately coming down to the difference in tissue thickness between skin and bone.
That's why, for sensitive areas, I always require a full 60-minute wait after applying numbing cream.
When we add active cooling on top of that,
discomfort drops to less than half of what patients experience without it.
PicoWay vs. Other Devices — Pain Profile Comparison
Use this as a reference based on your specific area and ink colors.
Category | PicoWay | Enlighten | PicoSure |
Pain Character | Sharp and brief | Deep and diffuse | High-frequency vibration |
Most Sensitive Areas | Ankles · Ribs | Back of hand · Collarbone | Generally even |
Recommended Numbing | 60 min application | 45–60 min application | 30–45 min application |
PicoWay's superior ink fragmentation capability comes with a sharper, more precise pain profile.
That's exactly why allowing sufficient numbing time
is one of the most important steps in making the procedure comfortable.
The Three Questions I Hear Most in the Consultation Room
Q1. How would you rate the pain on a scale?
Without numbing, the ankle area typically comes in around a 7 — noticeably painful.
With 60 minutes of numbing cream and active cooling,
most patients describe it as around a 3 — manageable and tolerable.
Q2. Is numbing cream an additional cost?
It varies by clinic, but it typically runs around 20,000–30,000 KRW.
For fleshier areas, 30 minutes is often sufficient —
so adjusting the timing to match your specific area is a smart, cost-effective approach.
Q3. Can I take a painkiller beforehand?
Taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) about an hour before your procedure can help.
However, avoid aspirin —
it increases the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Caffeine can also heighten pain sensitivity,
so consider cutting back a little before your appointment.
If there's one thing to take away from today —
it's that PicoWay pain is determined not by energy output,
but by location. And the closer you are to bone,
the more essential a full 60-minute numbing application becomes.
In my next post, I'll be breaking down
the difference between 8-week and 10-week intervals for tattoo removal sessions.
This has been Dr. Wi Young-jin.
