Page 9 - An Introduction to Laser Tattoo Removal

Chapter 2 – Fundamentals of Laser Tattoo Removal v1.0
Tattoo Removal Lasers................................................................................................................... 68
Q-switched Lasers .............................................................................................................................................. 68 What’s the difference between ‘active’ and ‘passive’ Q-switches?...................................................................68 QS Ruby laser ..................................................................................................................................................... 68 QS Alexandrite laser...........................................................................................................................................69 QS Nd:YAG laser.................................................................................................................................................70 Picosecond Lasers ..............................................................................................................................................70 PS Alexandrite laser ...........................................................................................................................................70 PS Nd:YAG laser..................................................................................................................................................70 Q-switched versus Picosecond Lasers................................................................................................................71 Nanosecond and picosecond pulses : photothermal vs photoacoustic? ...........................................................71 Nano- versus picosecond lasers – Which is better?...........................................................................................72 Photo-mechanical (photo-acoustic) reaction.....................................................................................................72 The ‘consensus’ out there, based on clinical evidence......................................................................................73 Summary: nano- vs pico- lasers .........................................................................................................................74
Laser Tattoo Removal – how it works............................................................................................. 75
The Physics.........................................................................................................................................................75 The Biology.........................................................................................................................................................75 Laser Parameters ...............................................................................................................................................76 Wavelength ........................................................................................................................................................ 77 The Nd:YAG laser - 1064/532 wavelengths........................................................................................................77 What are the differences between these wavelengths in skin? ........................................................................78
Fluence .......................................................................................................................................... 80
Anisotropy .......................................................................................................................................................... 81
Pulsewidth..................................................................................................................................... 83
Spot diameter ................................................................................................................................ 84
Power & Power Density ................................................................................................................. 86
How does ‘power density’ vary with ‘focal drift’? .............................................................................................89 Laser Energy Distribution Across a Spot.............................................................................................................90 Overlapping ........................................................................................................................................................ 91
Repetition Rate.............................................................................................................................. 92 Calibration – what does that mean? .............................................................................................. 93
How do you calibrate your laser? ......................................................................................................................94
Laser Safety Glasses ....................................................................................................................... 95
Treating very near the eyes ...............................................................................................................................97
A typical laser tattoo removal protocol .......................................................................................... 99
The ‘Ideal’ Treatment Protocol ..........................................................................................................................99 Using an Nd:YAG Laser – choosing the wavelength.........................................................................................103 Time between sessions: ................................................................................................................................... 105 Coloured Inks ...................................................................................................................................................108 Clearance Rates across the Body .....................................................................................................................108 Some ‘DO NOTs’!!!!..........................................................................................................................................108
Adverse Reactions ....................................................................................................................... 109
Blistering ..........................................................................................................................................................110 Infections .........................................................................................................................................................110
Improvements in the technique.... ............................................................................................... 113
Glass slide technique........................................................................................................................................113 The R20 and R0 Techniques ............................................................................................................................. 115 The R20MTM Technique ....................................................................................................................................115
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Chapter 2 LEVEL A Laser Tattoo Removal
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