Comparison of Responses of Tattoos to Picosecond and Nanosecond Q-Switched Neodymium:YAG Lasers

Abstract

Objective: To test the hypothesis that picosecond laser pulses are more effective than nanosecond domain pulses in clearing of tattoos.Design: Intratattoo comparison trial of 2 laser treatment modalities.Setting: A large interdisciplinary biomedical laser laboratory on the campus of a tertiary medical center.Patients: Consecutive patients with black tattoos were enrolled; all 16 patients completed the study.Intervention: We treated designated parts of the same tattoo with 35-picosecond and 10-nanosecond pulses from 2 neodymium:YAG lasers. Patients received a total of 4 treatments at 4-week intervals. All laser pulse parameters were held constant except pulse duration. Radiation exposure was 0.65 J/cm 2 at the skin surface. Biopsies were performed for routine microscopic and electron microscopic analysis at the initial treatment session and 4 weeks after the final treatment in 8 consenting patients. Also, ink samples were irradiated in vitro. Main Outcome Measures:In vivo, on the completion of treatment, a panel of dermatologists not associ-

Treatment of resistant tattoos using a new generation Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser: Influence of beam profile and spot size on clearance success

“…Theoretical calculations support the argument that picosecond laser pulses should be more effective at clearing tattoo particles than nanosecond pulses. Clinical studies are limited and it is unknown whether resistant tattoos can be treated effectively by high-fluence picosecond pulses [11][12][13]. Unfortunately, high-energy picosecond pulses are difficult and expensive to generate, so that very small spot sizes (<0.5 mm) would be required to produce high enough fluences.…”

Long-Term Follow-Up of 1,064-nm Picosecond-Domain Neodymium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Laser Treatment for Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-Like Macules

“…[2][3][4][5][6] Picosecond-domain lasers are reportedly more efficacious in removing pigment in the form of tattoos than nanosecond-domain lasers. [7][8][9] Moreover, the risk of side effects is lower in picosecond-domain lasers, compared with nanosecond-domain lasers. 7,8 Theoretically, particles of smaller size among target chromophores after successive treatment would be better reactive to subsequent picosecond-domain laser treatment than nanoseconddomain laser treatment.…”

“…[7][8][9] Moreover, the risk of side effects is lower in picosecond-domain lasers, compared with nanosecond-domain lasers. 7,8 Theoretically, particles of smaller size among target chromophores after successive treatment would be better reactive to subsequent picosecond-domain laser treatment than nanoseconddomain laser treatment. 8 Our recent simulation study using tissue-mimicking phantoms demonstrated that picosecond-domain laser treatments disintegrated tattoo pigments more homogeneously than nanoseconddomain treatments.…”

Facial Scars after a Road Accident – Combined Treatment with Pulsed Dye Laser and Picosecond Neodymium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Laser

“…In clinical practice, PSLs demonstrated superior efficacy over QS lasers for tattoo removal. 6,7 Of note, there exists controversy over the use of high power QS lasers for the treatment of scars in the proliferative phase of wound healing, as it can induce superfluous inflammation. In our case, the scar was 1 month old at the start of the treatment.…”