Tattoos

The history of decorative tattooing dates back thousands of years. The desire to remove them has probably existed just as long. Early attemptsto remove tattoos have had less than desirable results. The advent of Q-Switched lasers has permitted the removal of tattoo inks with a very low risk profile. The Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser available with the IPL Quantum platform is especially suited to the removal of dark blue and black inks and extends the clinical capabilities of this very versatile system.

How it Works

The Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser delivers light of specific wavelengths in ultra-short (nanosecond = 10-9 seconds) very high peak energy pulses which are absorbed by the pigment in the tattoo and result in an acoustic shockwave. The shockwave shatters the pigment particles, releasing them from their encapsulation and breaking them into fragments small enough for removal by the body. These tiny particles are then eliminated by the body.Since the laser light must be absorbed by the pigment particles, the laser wavelength must be selected to match the absorption spectrum of the pigment. Q-Switched 1064 nm lasers are best suited for treating dark blue and black tattoos.

FAQs

How does the laser work?

The laser delivers high intensity light in pulses of a few billionths of a second into the treated area. The tattoo inks selectively absorb the light without damaging the normal surrounding skin tissue in the process. The tattoo ink is broken into smaller particles that are then harmlessly removed by the body in the weeks following treatment.

How many treatments will it require?

Removing a professionally applied tattoo is usually a fading process that requires a series of treatments spaced at least 6 weeks apart. Professional tattoos usually require 5-10 treatment sessions for satisfactory clearing. The depth, color and amount of ink, as well as the location of the tattoo on the body are all determining factors in how quickly the tattoo can be removed. Most amateur, "street tattoos" and traumatic tattoos are removed in fewer treatments.

What about lightening an existing tattoo?

Many tattoo artists encourage customers to receive a minimum number of laser treatments to lighten an existing tattoo before covering it with a new one. This will dramatically reduce any chance of the old tattoo appearing through the new one. In most cases, a minimum of 2-4 treatments is all that's required to lighten an existing tattoo. Disclaimer: References or links to other sites from Wellness.com does not constitute recommendation or endorsement by Wellness.com. We bear no responsibility for the content of websites other than Wellness.com.