Tattoo inks are made of solid coloured particles, which can be targeted and eliminated by dedicated lasers in the similar manner as pigmented lesions.
Different tattoos might require different types of laser to remove them, depending on the type of ink, the colour, and the depth of the tattoo. Q-Switch lasers release high-powered pulses of extremely short duration. The intense and rapid heating induced by light absorption leads to a photo-thermal effect.
As the chromophore is heated, it undergoes sudden thermal expansion generating shock waves audible as a popping sound with each laser pulse. This photo-acoustic effect generates forces that allow fragmenting tattoo pigment particles.
The pigment treated this way gradually becomes shallower over time until it fades away. The peripheral tissues remain unaltered making the treatment selective and safe.
The Q-Switched Nd: YAG is very effective for the removal of dark tattoos and the safest for skin of colour. Using a top-hat beam profile ensures control of homogeneous energy delivery and maximum safety without hot-spots nor any risk of side effects or complication for the patient. The versatility of 5 spot sizes allows to use the ideal parameters for the clearance of dark tattoos.