Laser assisted tattoo removal – state of the art and new developments

Abstract

Decorative tattoos including permanent make-up are very popular world-wide. As the trend for tattoo acquisition increases, the demand for tattoo removal will similarly rise. This article highlights the state of the art and new developments in laser assisted tattoo removal.

The efficacy and the adverse reactions of laser‐assisted tattoo removal – a prospective split study using nanosecond and picosecond lasers

“…17,26,28,29 The diverse and sometimes unexpected reactions of tattoo pigments to laser treatments in the different clinical studies remain difficult to explain, 15,18,20,22,23 because tattoo removal with NSL or PSL pulses is based on partially unexplored mechanisms. 10 The use of high intensities of NSL and PSL pulses allows non-linear processes such as two-photon absorption, shock wave generation, and optical breakdown including plasma formation. 10,30,31 All these effects may occur at the same time and their respective critically depends on the duration and intensity of laser pulse applied.…”

“…10 The use of high intensities of NSL and PSL pulses allows non-linear processes such as two-photon absorption, shock wave generation, and optical breakdown including plasma formation. 10,30,31 All these effects may occur at the same time and their respective critically depends on the duration and intensity of laser pulse applied. However, these laser parameters were rather different in clinical studies so far (Table 4).…”

“…In addition, tattoo removal is not only governed by appropriate laser parameters. 10,24,32,33 Fading of tattoo colour requires transportation of fragmented pigment particles away from skin, e.g., via lymphatic system. 10 Pigment capture-release-recapture may ensure macroscopic stability of tattoos and its partial and unpredictable resistance to laser treatments, which might be diverse for tattooed individuals.…”

Tattoos – mehr als nur kolorierte Haut? Auf der Suche nach Tattoo‐Allergenen

“…Es entstehen hohe lokale Temperaturen von bis zu mehreren hundert Grad. Die anschließende schlagartige thermische Ausdehnung bewirkt eine Zersplitterung der Teilchen, die mit Stoßwellen einhergeht [28]. Zusätzlich kann es durch die Erhitzung und Fragmentierung von Pigmentpartikeln zur Spaltung chemischer Bindungen innerhalb des Pigmentmoleküls kommen, wodurch neue chemische Verbindungen in der Haut entstehen [1].…”

Trends of microneedle technology in the scientific literature, patents, clinical trials and internet activity

“…The skin barrier often impedes application of electric fields to the skin, as in transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or electroporation [9], [10], [11], or delivery of laser light, as in photodynamic therapy and tattoo removal [12], [13], [14], [15]. Transport out of the body is also impeded by the skin, e.g., when sampling skin tissue and/or fluid to measure glucose concentration [16], diagnosing skin disease [17], or collecting electrical signals for electrocardiograms [18], [19].…”