Picosecond Q-Switched Laser for Tattoo Removal - Aesthetica White Lies

Picosecond Q-Switched Laser for Tattoo Removal

The Picosecond Q-Switch Nd: YAG Laser is the latest advancement in laser tattoo removal technology. This laser releases a high demand for energy in an extremely short timeframe, making it a safer option for tattoo removal due to the reduced chances of burning the skin or altering the pigmentation. The energy of the Picosecond Q-Switch Nd: YAG Laser shatters the ink of the tattoo into significantly smaller particles. At Aesthetica Skin Centre, our aesthetic professionals rely on this incredibly advanced technology to eliminate tattoo inks, safely and effectively with fewer complications than the older laser technologies. We make use of the advantage of different Q-switched wavelengths with our advanced system for tattoo removal. The good news is that the Picosecond Q-Switch Nd: YAG Lasers are beneficial for clearing both blue and green pigments, which are difficult to eliminate using other lasers, and tattoos that are refractory to treatment with the traditional Q-switched lasers. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

During your treatment, the laser will be calibrated to target the exact colours found in your tattoo. The pigment sits deep within the skin inside of macrophages, the cells that engulf the pigment and remain in the tattoo area. The Picosecond Q-Switch Nd: YAG Laser targets the pigment contained in these cells and breaks them apart into tiny particles, allowing your body to clear away the fragments over the following weeks.
The number of treatments depends on the colour of the tattoo and the age of the tattoo. In general, most of our clients typically require 6 to 12 treatment sessions. However, the exact number of treatments will vary from person to person.
The sensation of pain differs from person to person. Most of our clients associate the pain comparable to the pain when receiving the tattoo.
We recommend undergoing treatment no more frequently than every 6 to 8 weeks. This timeframe provides safe results and least likelihood of scarring. Also, 6 to 8 weeks gives the body enough time to eliminate the ink fragments and for the skin to heal before the next procedure.
As with other laser devices, picosecond lasers can be relatively contraindicated in patients with darker skin tones (ie, Fitzpatrick 4–6). These patients are more susceptible to side effects of tattoo laser treatment. However, Picosecond Q-Switch Nd: YAG Lasers used for tattoo removal require fewer treatments, cause fewer side effects, and result in reduced post-procedural downtime compared to the older nanosecond Q-switched lasers. They can clear some tattoos that are refractory to other forms of laser therapy, and there is a reduced risk of causing scarring and hypopigmentation.

References:

Ali, F.R., & Al-Niami, F. (2018). Picosecond Laser. Dermnet NZ. Retrieved from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/picosecond-laser/

Saad, A.M., & Abdullah, A.A. (2017). Tattoo Removal using (1064 nm and 532 nm) Q-Switched Nd: YAG Laser. J Fac Med Baghdad, 59(3) 217-220. https://www.iasj.net/iasj/download/fa42576e685482c1

Torbeck, R., Bankowski, R., Henize, S., Saedi, N. (2016). Lasers in tattoo and pigmentation control: role of the PicoSure® laser system. Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, 9, 63-67. https://www.dovepress.com/lasers-in-tattoo-and-pigmentation-control-role-of-the-picosureacircreg-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-MDER