Page 56 - An Introduction to Laser Tattoo Removal

Chapter 2 – Fundamentals of Laser Tattoo Removal v1.0
Firstly, test patches are NOT a method to determine if the treatment works on any particular patient! That is absurd. In most cases, the clinical results will not appear for weeks after the treatment.
Secondly, test patches can be used to determine if the patients’ skin has any obvious, adverse reactions to the light therapy. In many cases, any such reaction will appear within 15 to 30 minutes of a treatment.
The following is a suggested method for applying test patches:
• Choose an area near to the treatment site. Set you equipment to the output parameters that you will use for the treatment (wavelength, fluence, pulse duration, spot size etc).
• Fire two to three shots at the skin, close together. Note that this should be ‘normal’ skin – not the unwanted skin condition.
• Note the skin’s response to those shots immediately after application, and around 15 to 30 minutes after.
• If the skin appears ‘normal’ then it can be assumed that the patients’ skin is likely suitable for treatment.
• If there is any adverse reaction, then do not proceed with the treatment.
As stated above, the purpose of a test patch is to find out how the skin reacts to the light
energy. It is not to determine if the treatment works!
IMPORTANT:
Laser and IPL units typically use flashlamps which must be replaced after so many shots. When this occurs, the new flashlamp will inevitably output a higher energy than the older one. This must be accounted for, when treating patients.
It is a good idea to repeat the test patch procedure above, when new lamps or heads are attached to your device.
It is also VERY IMPORTANT to ensure that your renewed system is properly calibrated, so you know exactly how much light energy is actually hitting the skin!
Melanin absorption
Most commercial lasers being used today for tattoo removal use the wavelengths 1064 nm
________________________________________________________________________ 56
Chapter 2 LEVEL A Laser Tattoo Removal
© The Laser-IPL Guys, 2021