A novel dual‐wavelength, Nd:YAG, picosecond‐domain laser safely and effectively removes multicolor tattoos

Abstract

Background and ObjectivesAlthough nanosecond‐domain lasers have been the mainstay of laser tattoo removal for decades, recent disruptive innovations in laser design have introduced a new class of commercial Q‐switched lasers that generate picosecond‐domain pulses.StudyA picosecond‐domain, Nd:YAG laser with a KTP frequency‐doubling crystal was used to treat 31 decorative tattoos in 21 subjects. Safety and effectiveness were determined by blinded evaluation of digital images in this prospective clinical study.ResultsThe average clearance overall as evaluated by blinded observers evaluating randomized digital photographs was 79 ± 0.9% (mean ± sem) after an average of 6.5 treatments. Of the 31 tattoos completing treatment, 6 had evidence of mild hyper‐ or hypo‐pigmentation by evaluation of photographs.ConclusionThe 350 picosecond, 532 nm, and 450 picosecond 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser is safe and effective for removing decorative tattoos. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:542–548, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Picosecond lasers for tattoo removal: a systematic review

“…Eight studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria, including two non-randomized controlled trials in animal models [13,14] and clinical studies with 160 participants bearing 182 tattoos. The clinical studies included one non-randomized controlled trial [15], two noncontrolled prospective trials [16,17], two case series [18,19], and one retrospective case-control study that only investigated side effects [20]. The trials' characteristics are detailed in Tables 1 and 2.…”

“…The definitions of the outcome measures varied among the studies. Seven trials explored the use of either 1064 nm (Nd:YAG) [15], 755 nm [16,18,20], 795 nm [13], 758 nm [14], or frequency-doubled 1064/532 nm [17] lasers for the treatment of mainly black and blue tattoos. One of the trials explored the use of frequency-doubled 1064/532-nm lasers for the treatment of yellow tattoos [19].…”

“…Others reported that one to five treatments with the frequencydoubled 1064/532-nm picosecond-domain laser cleared 90-100 % of yellow ink tattoos in four of the six patients (67 %) [19]. A second trial [17] with the frequency-doubled laser at the same wavelength reported an average 91.6 ± 5.4 % clearance of black pigment after up to seven sessions.…”

“…They found that six of the six (100 %) tattoos had over 75 % clearance of yellow ink. A second trial [17] exploring the treatment of 31 mostly black (but also partially green, blue, purple, red, and yellow) tattoos did not report the proportion of tattoos achieving over 70 % clearance. Nevertheless, they found an average clearance of 79 ± 0.9 % after an average of 6.5 sessions.…”

Acne Scar Successfully Treated with a Picosecond Laser and Subdermal Minimal Surgery Technique

“…6 Furthermore, an innovative holographic fractional handpiece for the picosecond laser has been developed to produce fractional wavelengths of 532 nm and 1,064 nm. The new lens array helps deliver all the laser energy into highly focused areas in a square grid.…”