How Lasers Work To Remove Tattoos
The lasers used in the tattoo removal process break down these artificial pigments, thus removing the tattoo from the persons skin. However, there are certain requirements that must be met to ensure that only the targeted skin area is treated with the laser so as not to damage surrounding tissue. The requirements are:
- Penetration of the laser should be sufficient enough to reach the tattoo pigment.
- The color of the laser must correspond to the absorbability of the pigment. For example, red lasers are used to treat green skin pigments2.
- Duration of the laser blast must be precisely timed to avoid scarring and burning of surrounding skin tissues. In tattoo removal, laser blasts should only last nanoseconds.
- Sufficient energy is required for the laser to break down tattoo pigments. If energy is too high, it could damage the skin tissues. If it is too low, no pigment fragmentation will occur3.
Quanta Pico Discovery Laser Tattoo Removal Machine
The Quanta Pico Discovery tattoo removal machine uses the Nd: YAG wavelengths and 694 nm available.
Pros: The Quanta Pico Discovery laser tattoo removal machine uses the 1064 nm, 532 nm, and 694 nm wavelengths which target most ink colors across the spectrum and uses a photoacoustic effect to shatter ink while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed. The Quanta Pico Discovery laser uses fractional treatments which take advantage of two different laser actions. The laser uses LIOBs for collagen remodeling and ablation of damaged skin through picosecond cold ablation which is good for treating wrinkles and acne scars.
Cons: Just like the Candela PicoWay laser, the Quanta Pico Discovery is more expensive than most. It will also take multiple sessions to see complete removal results and depending on your states laser regulations, it can only be operated by a certified laser professional, RN, or doctor. Unlike the Candela PicoWay laser, the Quanta Pico Discovery laser only uses 3 wavelengths to target ink color.
Best for: Most tattoo types and sizes.
Price range: $$$$
Choosing The Right Wavelengths For Your Practice
Wavelength is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a laser machine. The capabilities of each wavelength are different, and its important to have the tools to treat your patients tattoos.
For practices looking to treat the full range of tattoo colors, its important to have three full-powered wavelengths 1064 nm for black inks, 532 nm for red and warm-toned inks, and either 694 nm or 755 nm for blue and green inks.
For more information on what to look for in a tattoo removal laser, visit this tattoo removal equipment buying guide.
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Lucid Q Ptp Laser Tattoo Removal Machine
- Price Range: $$$$$
- Best For: professional tattoo removal
- Home Use: no, commercial buyers only
The Lucid Q PTP laser is a Q switched Nd: YAG tattoo remover with 1064nm and 532nm wavelengths available. Its a large unit and is designed for professional use within a clinic so you may struggle to buy one of these if you want it for home use!
Described as the fastest laser tattoo removal machine, this unit is easy to operate, and has smart technology for auto-calibration. Put simply, its good for beginners who dont want to spend all day with their nose in the manual looking for the right instructions.
The speed of this tattoo laser is up to 25hz and it can maintain that speed and energy with spot sizes up to 10mm. Thats good for most tattoo sizes.
Also worth noting is the fractional HP mode which allows this laser to be just as effective at targeting pigmentation in darker skin tones as well as lighter skin tones.
Important Note: if you need the 585nm and 650nm wavelengths for your tattoo colors, youll need to buy this as an add on as its not included in the standard Lucid Q PTP machine.
Watch For Potential Side Effects
The most common side effect is a darkening or lightening of the skin, known as either hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. This usually corrects itself within 6 to 12 months after treatment. Scars are also a potential risk as well as infection, burns, and textural changes of the skin.
Interested in tattoo removal?
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Tattoo Removal Factor #: Beliefs Change
Beliefs change, which boils down to the fact that the tattoo no longer displays on the outside whats on the inside. The cover and the title of the book no longer represent the story within the pages of the book. Obviously, this would include those with a name thats no longer a meaningful name, a belief thats no longer pertinent like life sucks or everyone dies etc.
Laser Tattoo Component #: The Laser
The First component of tattoo removal is the laser. When the laser beam comes in contact with the ink in a tattoo in the subdermal layer, it causes the ink to break down into tiny particles. The truth of the matter is that your body has always tried to break down the particles of your tattoo from the moment the ink was introduced. The reason your body has not been successful is that the ink particles have been too large for the body to digest successfully. This is why you can tell when a tattoo is older by its lighter hazier appearance. After ink molecules are shattered into microscopic particles by the laser, the body can finally be successful at doing what its been trying to accomplish since the tattoo was applied.
There are two different types or laser technologies available to someone seeking tattoo removal.
The laser that has been around the longest is the traditional Q-Switch ND YAG laser. A Q-Switch laser utilizes nano-second technology and a thermal wave to break ink particles down into a digestible size. Mostly seen as an older technology a q-switched ND Yay laser is extremely effective on dark, thick black inks. Working with darker Fitzpatrick scale skin tones of level five or six is most safely achieved with a traditional 1064 nanosecond laser.
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Nothing Short Of Revolutionary
works by targeting pigment colors in the skins dermis, the layer of skin between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissues. Light beams radiated by the laser are absorbed by tattoo pigments, which then fragment. The body then absorbs and eliminates the pigment fragments.
Compared to more traditional tattoo removal techniques laser tattoo removal is safe, effective and relatively gentle. Other methods can permanently damage and irritate the skin and are largely ineffective because they cant penetrate the skins deeper layers. Only can safely remove even the most stubborn tattoo pigments.
Because each tattoo is unique, removal techniquesincluding the type of laser usedmust be tailored to your particular needs. Some tattoos are more difficult to remove than others.
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Laser Tattoo Removal: Fundamental Principles And Practical Approach
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Correspondence
Ivan Kurniadi, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Universitas Hasanuddin, Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km. 10, Makassar 90245, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Correspondence
Ivan Kurniadi, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Universitas Hasanuddin, Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km. 10, Makassar 90245, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
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Tattoo Removal Factor #: Environments Change
Peoples environment changes, which would be those who have tattoos in visible areas but the career choice or merely social perception doesnt match this type of expression. Obviously, a CEO of a conservative corporate company doesnt do very well with a neck, face or hand tattoo. A parent often cant imagine their perfect, wonderful child with a tattoo, so they become self-conscious about the tattoo that they have. Military police and firefighters are often banned from having tattoos, so people reluctantly rid themselves of what stands in the way of a career advancement. Former gang members and prisoners often find it easier to discontinue a cycle if the outside markings of a prior life can be erased to match their growth and change.
What Can I Expect During The Laser Tattoo Removal
Depending on the size and color of your tattoo, the number of treatments will vary. Your tattoo may be removed in three to eight visits, and sometimes more. Schedule a consultation, during which a trained professional will evaluate your situation and inform you about the process.
Treatment with lasers varies from patient to patient depending on their age and the size and type of their tattoo. It also matters whether the tattoo was applied by an amateur or professional. The color of your skin, as well as the depth of the tattoo pigment in the body, will also affect the removal technique.
In general, this is what will happen during an office visit for tattoo removal using the newest generation of lasers:
- Youll wear protective eye shields.
- Your skins reaction to the laser is tested to determine the most effective energy for treatment.
- The treatment itself consists of placing a handpiece against the surface of the skin and activating the laser light repeatedly over the surface of the tattoo.
Smaller tattoos require fewer pulses, and larger ones require more. In either case, the tattoo requires several treatments and multiple visits. After each treatment, the tattoo should become lighter.
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What To Expect After Your Laser Tattoo Removal Session
After your laser tattoo removal session, you will need to
- Avoid sun exposure. It is crucial to avoid sun exposure after your treatment. The sun can increase your risk for scarring.
- Avoid swimming. It is also important to avoid swimming after your treatment. Water can increase your risk for infection.
- Use a sunblock with SPF 30 or higher. It is important to use a sunblock with SPF 30 or higher after your treatment to avoid any damages caused by sun rays.
- Wait for the area to heal before applying any makeup. It is important to wait for the site to heal before applying any makeup to avoid contaminating the exposed area.
- Avoid working out. It is also important to avoid working out after your treatment. Sweat can increase your risk for infection.
- Experience some pain and swelling. You will experience some pain and swelling after your treatment. This is normal and will go away after a few days.
- Apply antibiotic cream within 24 hours to avoid the risk for infections.
Does Getting A Tattoo Hurt
Most individuals compare the agony of receiving laser treatment to getting a tattoo because they describe it as feeling like a rubber band snapping against their skin. At Removery, we prioritize ensuring that the process is as comfortable as possible.
Doctors advise using non-aspirin products for minimal discomfort before laser surgery. The use of aspirin or ibuprofen should be avoided since they may cause following bruising therapy.
Our use of the Zimmer Cryo 6 cooling technology also makes us distinctive. Before, during, and after the operation, we chill the skin to lessen discomfort while raising body temperature.
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How Is Resonic Used As An Accessory To Laser Tattoo Removal
- Your physician will use a laser to treat the tattoo, then use a RESONIC Rapid Acoustic Pulse device to disperse the initial vacuoles, ink particles, and macrophages. Your body will naturally begin to remove the dispersed particles, through the lymphatic system. You will repeat this multiple times in one session, based on the physicians treatment plan.
How Good Is Your Laser
Q-switch lasers are pretty much the elite of tattoo removal lasers, and they are the most common type of laser used in laser tattoo removal. They produce pulses of light that are incredibly powerful. The Q-switch lasers might makes it the most common laser used for tattoo removal. Several types of Q-switch lasers exist, each targeting a different range of the color spectrum. Quite often more than one Q-switch laser is used during a tattoo removal treatment and they all produce impressive results. Q-switch lasers are so precise that concentrated color pigmentation fragments instantly. This ensures your skin sustains minimal damage. Some of the most common types of Q-switch lasers are:
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Is Pico Laser Better Than Q
Unlike QSwitch lasers, picosecond lasers use Pressure Wave Technology. Pico Technology is a far superior choice compared to the outdated QSwitch laser because it works 100 times faster, releasing a burst of energy in just 1 Picosecond which is one trillionth of a second.
9 Related Question Answers Found
How Many Laser Treatments Do You Need
When you speak to your plastic surgeon about a tattoo you want to remove, they will first investigate it to see what type of removal you need. How many treatments you require depends primarily on your tattoos age, size, and pigmentation depth. The larger it is, and the deeper the pigmentation, the longer it will take to remove.
Professional tattoos usually require an average of 8.5 tattoo removal sessions to remove altogether. Amateur tattoos require around 4.6 treatments.
Each successive laser treatment jiggles the offending ink particles and causes them to fall apart a little more. The immune system then clears them from the affected area and processes them elsewhere in the body. After each session, the tattoo will fade further until it is barely visible, if at all.
At the start of the laser therapy treatment, plastic surgeons apply anesthetic ointment to the target area of skin. They also give you eye protection and provide a cooling device for your arm. Once youre ready to start, they will then hold the laser arm close to your skin, directing the laser to destroy the tattoo pigment you want to eliminate.
When the laser pulses, it feels similar to the sensation of a rubber band snapping on the skin. Treatment usually only takes a few minutes, and once done, the tattoo will begin fading.
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Tattoo Removal Factor #: Art Changes
Art changes. With the advancement of tattooing techniques and achievable artistry on the skin has drastically changed altered expectations of tattoo enthusiasts. If youre wearing what used to be great 20 years ago, but you want something thats great now, the easiest way to get what you want is to erase what you had and start with a clean canvas. Taadaa! This is where laser tattoo removal comes in!
What Should You Do Before Treatment
Laser treatments are highly advanced, so its very important to prepare your skin for your appointment by following preparation guidelines. One of the biggest rules to follow is avoiding direct contact with the sun for at least two weeks to prevent hyperpigmentation. If you are planning to go outside, you should wear SPF 30 to 40 for skin protection.
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Laser Tattoo Removal Experience
sounds intimidating, but its really no big deal.
Before a laser tattoo removal session, your medical professional will determine which type of laser to use and how many treatments youll need. The number of required treatments is based on the tattoos age, size, type, and pigment depth. Before determining an appropriate treatment plan, your medical professional will first test out the laser on your skin to see how it reacts.
Before the session starts a medical professional will apply an anesthetic cream, and youll be given protective eye gear to wear, along with a cooling device. The medical professional will then gently place a handpiece against your skin and deliver laser pulses to the tattoo pigment. With each laser pulse, most people experience a sensation similar to a rubber band snapping against their skin. The amount of laser pulses depends on the tattoos size, but most treatment sessions only last a few minutes.
Because the laser explodes tattoo pigments, it creates a superficial skin wound. You may experience bleeding, redness, swelling, and blistering for several hours or days following treatment. The next several weeks may see the treated area flaking, peeling, and scabbing. The treated areas may be pink or pale after the skin separates, and sometimes scarring can occur, although this is rare.
Laser Hair Removal For Dark Skin: What You Need To Know
If you have unwanted hair you may have considered laser hair removal only to find out that its not readily available for people with dark skin. The Astanza Resmooth offers a patented process that is effective on both light and dark skin, making it the perfect option for laser hair removal. If you have been told in the past that your skin is too dark for laser hair removal, its time to contact Clean Slate Ink. Our team is ready to work with you to achieve the smooth and hairless face and body that youve been waiting for. Our system was designed to work on all skin types, so laser hair removal for dark skin is completely possible.
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Our Goal = Absorption
Tattoo removal works by breaking up tattoo ink particles trapped in the skin. To achieve this, the laser is pulsed over the tattoo, directing light energy toward the ink. The energy is absorbed by the tattoo ink particles, which instantly shatter into tiny fragments.
If the ink doesn’t absorb the laser light, the ink doesn’t shatter… and the tattoo won’t be removed.
Light energy can either be visible or invisible, depending on its wavelength. When light energy is visible , we see it as colored light.
Different objects absorb and reflect different wavelengths of light differently and tattoo inks act the same way. For example, a red tattoo will absorb all of the colors of visible light in exception to red. The tattoo appears red to our eye because it reflects the color red and nothing else.
Therefore, if your goal is to shatter the ink in a red tattoo, you would not want to treat it with red light, since it would reflect all of the light and not absorb the energy.