Optimising laser tattoo removal

Sardana, Kabir; Ranjan, Rashmi; Ghunawat, Sneha

doi:10.4103/0974-2077.155068

Cited by 37 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…QS nanosecond lasers are all effective in removing black and dark blue ink tattoos [25,26], yet when it comes to multicolored tattoos, one is forced to employ several types of QS nanosecond lasers [26] in order to target specific colors. In theory, using a picosecond laser enables a pronounced photoacoustic effect that may be effective for a wider variety of colors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Picosecond lasers for tattoo removal: a systematic review

et al. 2016

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Given that the pigment particles in tattoos have a relaxation time of <10 ns, picosecond lasers would be expected to be more effective than nanosecond lasers in tattoo removal. To systematically review the evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of picosecond lasers for tattoo removal, Pubmed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), ClinicalTrials.gov, and reference lists were searched for relevant trials. The primary outcome was >70 % clearance of tattoo pigment. Secondary outcomes were 90-100 % clearance of tattoo pigment, number of laser sessions required, and adverse effects. Eight trials were included, six with human participants (160 participants) and 2 with animal models. Seven of the eight trials explored the usage of either 755, 758, 795, 1064, or 1064/532-nm picosecond lasers for black and blue ink tattoos. In the human trials, 69-100 % of tattoos showed over 70 % clearance of pigment after 1-10 laser treatments. Reported side effects included pain, hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation, blister formation and transient erythema, edema, and pinpoint bleeding. Included articles varied in type of laser investigated, mostly non-comparative studies and with a medium to high risk of bias. There is sparse evidence that picosecond lasers are more effective than their nanosecond counterparts for mainly black and blue ink tattoo removal, with minor side effects.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Picosecond lasers for tattoo removal: a systematic review

et al. 2016

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“…The commonly used pulse lasers for tattoo removal are Qswitched lasers producing nanosecond (ns) pulse durations of approximately 5 -100 ns at various wavelengths such as ruby (694 nm), alexandrite (755 nm), and Nd:YAG (532 nm and 1064 nm) lasers. Picosecond (ps) pulse lasers, which have shorter pulse durations of 350 -750 ps, have been developed recently [1][2][3][4][5]. The logic is that ns pulse duration might be too long for effective photothermolysis of small tattoo particles having thermal relaxation time (TRT) in ps ranges.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visualization of laser tattoo removal treatment effects in a mouse model by two-photon microscopy

Jang

Yoon

Kim

et al. 2017

Biomed. Opt. Express

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Abstract:Laser tattoo removal is an effective method of eliminating tattoo particles in the skin. However, laser treatment cannot always remove the unwanted tattoo completely, and there are risks of either temporary or permanent side effects. Studies using preclinical animal models could provide detailed information on the effects of laser treatment in the skin, and might help to minimize side effects in clinical practices. In this study, two-photon microscopy (TPM) was used to visualize the laser treatment effects on tattoo particles in both phantom specimens and in vivo mouse models. Fluorescent tattoo ink was used for particle visualization by TPM, and nanosecond (ns) and picosecond (ps) lasers at 532 nm were used for treatment. In phantom specimens, TPM characterized the fragmentation of individual tattoo particles by tracking them before and after the laser treatment. These changes were confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). TPM was used to measure the treatment efficiency of the two lasers at different laser fluences. In the mouse model, TPM visualized clusters of tattoo particles in the skin and detected their fragmentation after the laser treatment. Longitudinal TPM imaging observed the migration of cells containing tattoo particles after the laser treatment. These results show that TPM may be useful for the assessment of laser tattoo removal treatment in preclinical studies.

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“…The number of people with tattoos has grown steadily in recent years, as has the demand for tattoo removal . The most common method for removal is the use of a short‐pulse, high fluence laser such as a 1064 nm Nd:YAG Q‐switched (QS) laser . The QS laser has a limited ability to affect the tattoo ink pigment particles in each treatment session due to shielding of the pigment particles caused by both the agglomeration of the pigment particles and laser‐induced epidermal and dermal vacuoles known as “whitening” (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased Tattoo Fading in a Single Laser Tattoo Removal Session Enabled by a Rapid Acoustic Pulse Device: A Prospective Clinical Trial

et al. 2019

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Background and Objectives: The ability to provide improved tattoo fading using multiple laser passes in a single office laser tattoo removal session is limited. In part, this is due to the loss of laser effectiveness caused by epidermal and dermal vacuole "whitening" generated during the initial laser pass at the tattoo site. The Rapid Acoustic Pulse (RAP) device generates acoustic shock wave pulses that clear epidermal and dermal vacuoles to enable multiple laser passes in a single office laser tattoo removal session. The objectives of this study were to determine if the RAP device, when used as an accessory to the 1064 nm Nd:YAG Q-switched (QS) laser can enable delivery of multiple laser passes in a single office laser tattoo removal session, and therefore result in increased tattoo fading compared to the clinical standard single-pass QS laser tattoo removal session. Study Design/Materials and Methods: The RAP device was evaluated in a single-center (SkinCare Physicians), prospective, IRB approved study. A total of 32 black ink tattoos, from 21 participants, were divided into three zones and treated with either multiple QS laser passes, each followed by 1 minute of RAP device application (Laser + RAP) in zone one and single-pass QS laser treatment (Laser-Only) in zone two, separated by an untreated control zone. The treatment sites were assessed for the number of laser passes and adverse events immediately, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks following the treatment session. Photographs of the treatment sites were assessed for percent fading at 12 weeks posttreatment by three blinded reviewers. Results: When the RAP device was applied as an accessory to the QS laser in a multi-pass laser tattoo removal treatment, an average of 4.2 laser passes were delivered in a single session, with no unexpected or serious RAP device-related adverse events. At the 12week follow-up, tattoos treated with Laser + RAP showed a statistically significant increase in average fading (44.2%) compared with tattoos treated with Laser-Only (24.8%) (P < 0.01). Additionally, a significantly higher overall proportion of tattoos treated with Laser + RAP (37.5%) had a response of >50% fading compared with tattoos treated with QS Laser-Only (9.4%) (P < 0.01) as well as a response of >75% fading from Laser + RAP treatment (21.9%) compared with Laser-Only treatment (3.1%) (P < 0.05). Conclusions:The RAP device, applied as an accessory to the 1064 nm Nd:YAG QS laser, safely enables multiple QS laser treatments in a single office laser tattoo removal session by clearing the whitening caused by the previous QS laser pass. Enabling multiple QS laser passes results in a statistically significant increase in tattoo fading in a single office laser tattoo removal session compared to the clinical standard single-pass QS laser tattoo removal session.

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Optimising laser tattoo removal

Cited by 37 publications

References 52 publications

Picosecond lasers for tattoo removal: a systematic review

Picosecond lasers for tattoo removal: a systematic review

Visualization of laser tattoo removal treatment effects in a mouse model by two-photon microscopy

Increased Tattoo Fading in a Single Laser Tattoo Removal Session Enabled by a Rapid Acoustic Pulse Device: A Prospective Clinical Trial

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