What's the difference for 6ns Nd yag Q-switched laser & 300ps picosecond laser?

By Bella-Oriental Wison | September 11TH, 2026

What's the difference for 6ns Nd yag Q-switched laser & 300ps picosecond laser?

· 1 ns = 1000 ps

· 6 ns = 6000 ps

· 300 ps = 0.3 ns

1. Core Mechanism Difference

· 6ns (Nanosecond Q-switched laser) Dominated by photothermal effect (heat effect). Laser energy heats pigment/ink rapidly, making it expand and crack. A lot of heat transfers to surrounding skin tissue.

· 300ps (Picosecond laser) Dominated by photoacoustic / photomechanical effect (shockwave). Ultra-short pulse generates mechanical shockwaves, shatters pigment/ink into ultra-fine dust particles, with much less residual heat buildup.

2. Tattoo Removal Performance

· 6ns: Ink is broken into relatively large fragments. Body lymphatic system needs longer time to metabolize. More treatment sessions required. Higher risk of epidermal burn, blister, hyperpigmentation or scarring, especially for darker skin.

· 300ps: Shatters ink into much finer microparticles. Faster metabolism, fewer treatment sessions. Lower thermal damage, safer for most skin types. Better for stubborn tattoo ink.

3. Skin Rejuvenation & Pigment Treatment

· 6ns: Mainly target pigment removal. Collagen stimulation is weak. Easy to cause post-treatment pigmentation.

· 300ps: Can create LIOB (Laser-Induced Optical Breakdown) micro-plasma zones in dermis. Triggers strong collagen & elastin regeneration. Great for pore refinement, fine lines, sun spots and melasma-like pigment issues. 

4. Side effects & Recovery

· 6ns: Longer downtime, higher risk of heat injury, erythema and PIH.

· 300ps: Mild redness, shorter recovery time, lower PIH risk.5. Commercial & Hardware noteMany low-cost suppliers falsely label 6ns nanosecond machines as "picosecond" for marketing. This is a common pitfall in the aesthetic laser market. Real picosecond systems are much more expensive due to higher requirement on pulse compression technology.

Summary:

6ns is nanosecond laser, working via thermal effect. It breaks pigment by heat and carries higher risk of thermal injury. 300ps is true picosecond laser, relying on photo-mechanical shockwave to shatter ink/pigment into finer particles. It delivers fewer sessions for tattoo removal, stimulates collagen better for skin rejuvenation and brings less thermal damage & shorter recovery.