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The Science of Laser Removal of Tattoos
Little is known about the exact mechanism by which selective photothermolysis removes tattoos, but what IS known is that it works. Ink used in tattooing is comprised of sub-micrometer sized particles that may have been ingested by phagocytic skin cells after intradermal injection. They are contained in the phagolysosomes of these phagocytic cells. The stability and longevity of most tattoos shows that these phagocytic cells do not migrate over time, though tattoos do fade over time. Most inks in professional tattoos consist of insoluable metal salts, oxides or organic complexes. Amateur tattoos are primarily made of inexpensive india inks, graphite or ash.
Appropriate laser wavelengths break up these particles of ink into 10-100 smaller particles. These small ink particles are carried off by phagocytosis through to the lymphatic system. Ink particles have been recovered in the lymph nodes long after tattoo removal has occurred. Lightening of the tattoo occurs about one week after laser treatment and continues to improve over time.
Earlier studies reflected choosing Ruby and Nd:YAG lasers to remove most colors of ink. Red black, blue, can be removed equally as well with either of the above lasers. The Ruby laser has been more effective in removing green tattoos and the Q-Switched Alexandrite 755nm is the best choice for breaking up green ink. The new Medlite IV offers a dye based handpiece which they claim will reduce yellow tattoos with 585nm and light blue or green tattoos with 672nm Ruby attachment. These new attachments work with the Q- switched 532nmmode. This laser also has a full complement of 1064nm for black and blue tattoos and the Q-532 for treating red tattoos.
Note: Q- Switching is accomplished by placing a doubling crystal in the laser's path. This doubles the frequency and offers both the 532nm and 1064nm absorption to oxyhemoglobin and melanin in one laser. |
| Laser Reference Guide to Treating Multi-colored Tattoos |
| Color | Laser wavelength | Lasers to use |
| Black | Q532, Q755,1064, 694 | Medlite II, IV | Ruby, VersaPulse C |
| Blue | Q532, Q755,1064, 694 | Medlite II, IV | Ruby, VersaPulse C |
| Red | Q532 | Medlite II, IV | ------------------------ |
| Orange | Q532 | Medlite II, IV | ------------------------- |
| Yellow | Q532, w/ 585attachment | Medlite IV | ------------------------- |
| Purple | Q1064, 694 | Medlite II, IV | Ruby, VersaPulse C DIFFICULT |
| Green | Q755, Q532 w/ 694 attach | Medlite IV | Ruby, VersaPulse CCandela Q Alexandrite, Cynosure T- Alexandrite |
| Flesh, gold, tan, pink | DO NOT TREAT | DO NOT TREAT | Test Spot small area |
| Sky Blue | Q755, Q532 w/ 694 attach | Medlite IV | Ruby, VersaPulse CCandela Q Alexandrite, Cynosure T- Alexandrite |
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