A rapid tattoo removal technique using a combination of pulsed Er:YAG and Q-Switched Nd:YAG in a split lesion protocol

Abstract

From our study it was concluded that use of a pulsed ablative laser may help in rapid removal of tattoos in conjunction with QS lasers with minimal side effects and can be used as a RTR.

Optimising laser tattoo removal

“…A novel concept that was first propounded by Goldman MP and Fitzpatrick RE[ 28 ] was based on ablation of the epidermis which helped to target the dermal tattoo pigment with less beam scattering and faster results. [ 29 30 ] This technique fell out of favour as conventional ablative lasers lead to scarring that is consequent to the use of doses and settings that exceed the thermal relaxation time of the skin. But pulsed lasers like Er:YAG and the ultrapulsed CO 2 lasers can be used to precisely remove epidermal layers.…”

“…But pulsed lasers like Er:YAG and the ultrapulsed CO 2 lasers can be used to precisely remove epidermal layers. [ 29 30 ] This was studied using a combination of ultrapulse CO 2 laser followed by QS Nd:YAG,[ 29 ] in a split lesion design which lead to a significant reduction in the number of sessions with negligible side effects [ Figure 3 ]. This has been further modified using the Er:YAG followed by the QS Nd:YAG with better results and has been christened the Rapid Tattoo Removal technique (RTR).…”

“…This has been further modified using the Er:YAG followed by the QS Nd:YAG with better results and has been christened the Rapid Tattoo Removal technique (RTR). [ 30 ]…”

Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser for cosmetic tattoo removal

“…In our patients, QS Nd:YAG laser showed to be highly effective in the (Sardana et al, 2015). Complete information about the procedure, the treatment, its expected results, and possible complications must be provided.…”

“…In the case of resistant tattoos, a preoperative single passage with fractional CO 2 laser showed to be effective in obtaining complete tattoo removal: fractional laser, in fact, is able to create multiple channels in the skin inducing an ink clearing with necrotic debris (Shah and Aurangabadkar, 2015;Sardana, Garg, Bansal, & Goel, 2013). Moreover, the epithelial and dermal restructuring reduced the risk of scar formation and pigmentary alteration (Sardana, Ranjan, Kochhar, Mahajan, & Garg, 2015;Seitz, Grunewald, Wagner, Simon, & Paasch, 2014).…”