Mistakes in Tattoo Removal with Long-Pulse Lasers and IPLs
Author: admin29 Jan
In the Western world, more than 10% of the population have at least 1 tattoo. If the tattoo is removed, the tattoo pigment particles in the skin can be selectively destroyed by means of selective photothermolysis by different types of medical aesthetic lasers. This treatment requires laser pulses of short durations (nanoseconds) and high intensities (fluenses).
Dr. Wolfgang Bäumler, Department of Dermatology, University of Regensburg in Germany reports on 12 patients who received treatments with improper treatment parameters. In all patients, his group diagnosed hypo- or hyperpigmentations and scar formation at the treatment site. In particular, the pulse duration of the light sources or lasers applied were considerably longer than those required by the principles of selective photothermolysis. The light intensities of those devices are normally not sufficient to destroy the pigment particles. Instead of destruction, the pigment particles in the skin are heated up and the heat is conducted to the adjacent tissue causing unspecific tissue injury.
CONCLUSION
Lasers and especially intense pulsed light sources with more than 1 millisecond pulses and low light intensities are clearly not suitable to be applied for laser tattoo removal.
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One Response for "Mistakes in Tattoo Removal with Long-Pulse Lasers and IPLs"
When treating tattoos its almost always necessary to use more than one laser. Tattoos become resistant to one laser, and if you increase the fluence you may cause a scar, as this wavelength laser energy is not treating the tattoo but instead is injuring the surrounding tissue in both the epidermis and superficial dermis. A change in the wavelength may increase the efficacy of the tattoo reduction.