About Laser Tattoo Removal and Various laser Systems used for tattoo removal

Laser removal has become the treatment of choice. Laser Tattoo Removal lasers target tattoo ink and rapidly heat it. Heat causes ink to expand and break up into smaller particles. These smaller particles are more easily absorbed by the body.

Each treatment will likely cause mild discomfort, similar to a small rubber band snapping against skin. Most patients are able to tolerate the mild discomfort when it is within a small area. When a larger area, like a full arm or back is being treated, the discomfort may interfere with the procedure. Discomfort can be minimized by the use of ice, sedatives, pain medications, or injections of local anesthetic. Talk with your surgeon about ways to minimize the discomfort if this is an area of concern for you.

Multiple Treatments Are Necessary

Each laser targets a different family of colors. To completely remove a family of colors, two to four sessions may be required. Because most tattoos are comprised of multiple color families, several lasers may be required. For example, if three-color families exist in one tattoo, and each family of colors must be targeted three times; a total of six to nine laser sessions will be necessary. Some tattoos require 15 to 20 laser treatments for complete removal. Many other factors determine the number of treatments necessary.

There are a lot of reasons for possibly wanting a tattoo removed – if you have a tattoo that you wish to have partially or completely removed, you should first consider your options and decide which method might be best for you. In recent times, many physicians consider laser surgery one of the best methods of tattoo removal . Today, the Q-switched Nd:Yag, Q-switched Alexandrite and the Q-switched Ruby are among the most frequently used lasers today for the removal of unwanted tattoos. They are all employed in a similar manner.

Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm is much faster to operate, having a much higher pulse repetition rate than either the Alexandrite or the Q-switched Ruby laser. In addition, light at 1064 nm is more penetrating than Ruby laser light and so more deeply placed tattoo pigment is dealt with effectively. Five to eight treatments are usually necessary, but in unusual instances the tattoo may disappear after two or three treatments.

Q-switched Ruby laser is not effective against red pigment whilst a laser emitting green/blue light is unlikely to be helpful in abolishing green pigment. Green pigment in particular is very difficult to eradicate, even with a red laser such as the Q-switched Ruby laser, or better, with the Alexandrite laser and up to 20 treatments may be necessary.

The frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser, operating at 532 nm is effective in removing red pigment, and in difficult instances the pulsed dye laser at 585 nm can be utilised also.

At St Mellion we use Q-switched Nd:Yag. Very effective and causes less pain and blisters over Ruby Laser system.

Before chosing your treament you are advised to search which system suits you best.

Tattoo is made of particles of pigment injected into the skin. Although the body attempts to remove them, the particles of ink are too large and the body responds by encapsulating the whole tattoo in a wall of collagen that traps it within the skin permanently.

Successful removal of a tattoo in laser treatment requires the absorption of light by the particles of tattoo pigment in the skin.

For safe treatment of a tattoo, without damaging the surrounding skin, a very short pulse of light is required, which can only be generated by an actively Q-switched laser system. The Lumina Q laser systems produces a very short duration pulse of light that heats the particles of ink rapidly, causing explosive fragmentation of the collagen capsule and the pigment. The fragments can then be removed by the body's defence system. With each laser treatment the fragmentation process is repeated to remove deeper layers of pigment until the tattoo fades completely without damaging the skin.

No single laser can remove all types of tattoo ink.

 

The Lumnia Q at St Mellion Clinic offers 3 laser systems to ensure optimal tattoo removal:

Q-switched Nd:Yag for removal of dark blue, black, grey & white ink
Q-switched KTP laser for red, purple, orange & brown ink

The removal of a multicoloured tattoo requires the use of these different laser systems in combination to ensure superior results.

 

Clinical procedure

After laser treatment the treated area shows an immediate whitening, caused by the ejection of steam and fragmented ink particles. The treated areas swells immediately after treatment, and takes 24 to 48 hours to subside. The tattoo fades with every treatment, and typically 5 to 15 treatments are needed, depending on the depth and colour of the ink used.

 

Click Here: About Different Laser Systems For Tattoo Removal

IMPORTANT: OVER THE COUNTER REMEDIES

Nobody has ever had success with any cream.

It is not possible for a tattoo to be removed with any type of cream, as there is not yet a cream that is strong enough to penetrate that deep and disburse the ink without seriously harming your skin.

There have been creams that have been said to lighten some tattoos, but only either very dark ones or ones done close to the surface of the skin. and even then they only slightly lightened the tattoo. and even then in some cases they left the person with a type of skin burn.

Complication following use of over the counter remedies for tattoo removal- At St Mellion Clinic we encountered several patients requesting laser tattoo removal. These patients have used over the counter products previously. It had been noted that these patient have had chemical skin burns and then went on to develop into HYPERTROPHIC SCARRING following home treatments.

The hypertrophic scarring was improved and delt with laser 532 Nd YAG