Page 105 - An Introduction to Laser Tattoo Removal

Chapter 2 – Fundamentals of Laser Tattoo Removal v1.0
1. Colours may not be what they seem! We can never be sure which coloured inks are actually in any tattoo, so don’t assume the ‘best’ wavelength.
2. ‘Bright’ or ‘vibrant’ colours have high levels of titanium dioxide - will reflect a lot of laser energy and reduce the efficacy of the treatment.
3. Steam bubbles form rapidly, during the pulse - reflecting some of the energy.
4. Shorter pulsewidths will result in more energy absorption - higher
temperatures on the ink particle surfaces - more aggregate fragmentation.
5. Most of the applied laser energy will not be absorbed by the ink particles! Most is
reflected back into the dermis where it may cause damage, or out of the skin.
6. Every laser treatment results in some micro-scarring (fibrosis). Some thermal
damage is inevitable, mostly due to excess laser energy. Hence the reason why
this must be kept to a minimum whilst achieving the desired reaction.
7. As the level of fibrosis increases with each treatment, more energy is scattered,
which can lead to a lower efficiency in absorption. Hence, many treatments
can result in a poor final outcome.
8. Picosecond lasers result in more energy absorption by ink particles, simply
because more energy can be absorbed before the reflecting, self-limiting effects of the steam bubbles kicks in.
Time between sessions:
The ‘standard’ recommend time between sessions is currently 6 to 8 weeks. However, Mike’s research is indicating that a longer gap between repair sessions is probably better! He now thinks that 12 weeks is more likely to result in higher ink clearance rates, and, consequently, fewer treatments overall!
The thinking behind this is that the important time to consider here is the time required by the skin to repair itself, following lase treatment. We must remember that all Q-switched and picosecond laser treatments will result in some level of physical trauma in the dermis, and epidermis. It appears that ‘6 to 8’ weeks is simply not sufficient time for the ski to remove as much ink as it can – we have been treating tattoos too frequently for the last 40 years!
As a consequence, the skin’s natural ‘repair mechanisms’ will kick in, to fix that damage.
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Chapter 2 LEVEL A Laser Tattoo Removal
© The Laser-IPL Guys, 2021