How to remove color tattoos

      Laser removal of tattoos from the point of view of physical and biological interactions between laser radiation and dyes is a rather complicated medical procedure, even for experienced cosmetologists. In this article, we will consider the basic techniques for removing color tattoos, and also consider the main parameters and technical characteristics by which you can choose the best laser for tattoo removal.

  During tattoo removal, the laser beam is aimed at very small particles of tattoo ink, which are located in macrophages or diffusely placed in the extracellular space throughout the entire thickness of the epidermis. Because the size of the chromophores when removing tattoos is very small, respectively, the duration of the laser pulse should be very short. That is why it is effective to use Q-Switch lasers for tattoo removal.

The older the tattoo is, the easier it is to undergo laser treatment, because macrophages are already present in the area of ​​the skin where the tattoo is applied, which actively phagocytose the foreign particles of dyes and remove them from the skin. It is a natural attempt by the body to remove the foreign pigments of tattoo ink that blurred the edges of age-related tattoos. In addition, the doctor should take into account that in patients with tanned or dark skin (Fitzpatrick type IV-VI skin type), laser laser tattoo removal often involves a competitive absorption of laser radiation due to the high concentration of melanin in the skin, therefore, the risk of side effects such as hypo- or hyperpigmentation. Thus, a patient with light (European) skin and a tattoo age of at least a year is an ideal patient for tattoo removal.

Laser removal of black and color tattoos

Given that a large number of dyes are used for tattooing, each color of the tattoo has its own preferred laser wavelength, which is optimal for a tattoo of one color or another. That is why there is no one universal laser handpiece, by it can remove a tattoo of any color. Most doctors know from experience that using a laser is much easier to remove dark blue or black tattoos, while yellow, red or green dyes can be completely removed much worse. This is due to the fact that most manufacturers position the Nd: YAG Q-Switcthed laser as the most suitable for tattoo removal, and Ruby or KTP Q-Switch lasers are ignored as more difficult to manufacture.

Moreover, a large number of studies conducted in domestic and foreign medical institutions and institutes clearly show:

1. – for removal black and dark blue tattoos, the most suitable wavelength is 1064nm.
2. – 532 nm wavelength is ideal for removal yellow and red pigments (KTP laser).
3. – the using of a wavelength of 694nm (ruby laser) makes it possible to work with hard-to-remove dyes of blue, violet and green shades.

Nanosecond or picosecond laser for tattoo removal

Given the very small TTR of the dyes, the duration of the laser pulses acting on the pigments of the dyes should be no more than several nanoseconds. Laser tattoo removal is based on the principle of selective photothermolysis, but unlike other laser procedures, the decisive role in laser tattoo removal is not photothermal processes, but photoacoustic ones. Thus, the laser radiation energy is not transformed into thermal energy (as, for example, in the case of laser hair removal), but into photoacoustic energy, which leads to the appearance of very short photoacoustic waves, which cause the dye particles to crush and atomize and actively remove them from the skin. The destruction of only pigment-containing cells and pigment granules in the intercellular space to the smallest particles occurs. The TTR of individual dye particles is usually from 0.5 to 10 ns, which corresponds to the pulse width of Q-Switch lasers (nanosecond range), while there are also a large number of so-called picosecond lasers with a pulse duration of 0.3-0.9 ns ( 300-900ps). The picosecond mechanism of exposure to pulses is more gentle and safe for exposure to tattoos, as the mechanisms of heat transfer from dyes to the surrounding tissue are practically excluded, however, the level of energy density and spectral power is often insufficient to remove more deeping tattoos, in contrast to the energy of nanosecond lasers that allow you to process more voluminous and deeply lying tattoos.

The main difficulties for laser tattoo removal procedure

The main problem with laser removal of tattoos is sometimes their incomplete removal despite even a large number of sessions. If this happens, it is necessary to increase the energy density (if the power of the laser apparatus allows), but be careful that the laser radiation parameters remain within safe limits and do not cause scarring or pigmentation. The main side effects sometimes observed when removing tattoos or with the wrong laser:

1. Pigmentation disorder. Even with the observance of basic precautions in several percent of cases, the formation of hyper- or hypopigmentation is possible.
2. Scar formation. This side effect is extremely rare when choosing the right laser parameters when removing tattoos. If nevertheless thermal damage occurs, it is necessary to provide good care for the damaged area with a gauze bandage applied to it.
3. Darkening tattoo pigment. This effect can sometimes occur when white dyes are exposed to laser radiation. In this case, for the prevention of such cases, it is recommended to produce point effects of laser radiation with a spot of minimum diameter.

Thus, given the complexity of laser tattoo removal procedures, they should be performed only by highly qualified specialists using medical laser equipment suitable for a particular dye color. The use of multifunctional complexes allows doctors to remove color tattoos based on one system.