Treatment of resistant tattoos using a new generation Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser: Influence of beam profile and spot size on clearance success

Karsai, Syrus; Pfirrmann, Gudrun; Hammes, Stefan; Raulin, Christian

doi:10.1002/lsm.20605

Cited by 28 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 13 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…It is more related to the patient’s skin type, with darker skin being more prone regardless of the wavelength. The incidence is normally in the same order of magnitude as that of hypopigmentation, but can be as high as 25% after repeated removal attempts 14,15 …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Tattoo removal by non‐professionals – medical and forensic considerations

Karsai

Krieger²,

Raulin

2010

Acad Dermatol Venereol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Tattoos are common phenomena in the western world and the demand for their removal has become widespread in the recent years. The introduction of quality-switched lasers has provided an effective removal method that is increasingly being exploited by tattoo studios themselves. Dermatologists, however, are frequently confronted with complications and side effects of tattoo removals that were performed by non-professionals. The objective of this study is to assess potential risks and pitfalls of laser tattoo removal when performed by medical laymen. The methods followed are systematic and evidence-based review of the literature. Four major problem areas were identified: rare but potentially severe allergic or toxic effects of decomposition products of the tattoo pigments; bodily harm caused by out-of-specification usage of the laser devices; malignant disease that is obscured within the area of a tattoo and requires meticulous dermatological diagnosis; and insufficient pre-operative consultation of patients about the risks, side effects and realistic expectations on the therapeutic outcome. We came to a conclusion that tattoo laser removal by medical laymen is unacceptable from the point of view of patient safety and the laws need to ban this practice swiftly.

show abstract

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Tattoo removal by non‐professionals – medical and forensic considerations

Karsai

Krieger²,

Raulin

2010

Acad Dermatol Venereol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…We found that under the present conditions, fluences of 0.7 to 1.6 J/cm 2 were effective in the removal of tattoos compared with fluences of 9.0 to 12.0 J/cm 2 commonly reported in the literature. [9][10][11] In addition, the tattoo removal process in the present case required shorter therapy sessions and spacing between sessions of 1 to 2 weeks compared with the 4 to 8 weeks needed in other laser treatments. 15 The present study should be considered initial, and there are some venues that should be further explored.…”

Section: Commentmentioning

confidence: 98%

In Vitro and In Vivo Laser Treatments of Tattoos

Gómez

Martín²,

Sastre³

et al. 2010

Arch Dermatol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective:To analyze the absorption of tattoo inks related to their in vivo and in vitro behavior under laser irradiation to improve laser-assisted tattoo removal. Design:The absorption of 21 tattoo inks in a wavelength range from 300 to 800 nm was characterized by reflection spectroscopy from samples consisting of inks mixed in gelatin. Tattoo inks were removed in vitro using pulsed laser radiation with different variables, and morphologic analysis of the irradiated areas was performed.Setting: An interdisciplinary laser laboratory with a common industrial project with the Spanish company Milesman S.A.Participant: One person was voluntarily tattooed with 2 of the studied inks. Main Outcome Measures:(1) First approach to the optimum dose for pigment removal in in vitro models.(2) Correlation between the in vitro and in vivo situations at the optimum dose.Results: Reflection spectroscopy facilitated selection of the most adequate laser wavelengths for tattoo removal. Red, orange, and rose inks were successfully lightened at 532 nm with 0.6 J/cm 2 ; brown at 1064 nm with 0.3 J/cm 2 ; yellow and green at 448 nm with 2.6 J/cm 2 ; and blue at 600 nm with 0.9 J/cm 2 . Similar colors in in vitro and in vivo tattoos responded with the same efficiency to the laser variables.Conclusions: High efficiency is reached in the removal of in vivo tattoos by using an irradiation wavelength at which the percentage of reflection from the pigment is minimal. Under this condition, laser pulses can be used with a low fluence, minimizing adverse effects and clinical time.

show abstract

“…A flat-top (or top-hat) profile is preferred to a Gaussian profile in order to ensure the skin surface temperature is homogenised, as is the temperature of the heated volume (8). This flat-top power profile gives a more homogeneous heating effect throughout the heated area, rather than a selective heating action.…”

Section: Top-hat Profilementioning

confidence: 99%

Scar prevention by laser-assisted scar healing (LASH) using thermal post-conditioning

Gossé¹,

Iarmarcovai²,

Capon

et al. 2009

SPIE Proceedings

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

An 810-nm diode laser system was developed to accelerate and improve the healing process in surgical scars. Using thermal post-conditioning, the laser system provides a localised moderate heating whose maximum temperature is controlled to prevent tissue damage and stimulate the heat shock proteins (HSP) synthesis. The 810-nm wavelength allows a deep penetration of the light into the dermis, without damaging the epidermis. The time along which surgical incision is treated (continuous wave) must therefore be selected carefully with respect to the temperature precision achieved within the heated volume. A top-hat profile is preferred to a Gaussian profile in order to ensure the skin surface temperature is homogenised, as is the temperature of the heated volume. The spot shape will depend on the medical indication. The treatment should be made safe and controlled by means of a safety strip containing an RFID chip which will transmit the various operating settings to the laser device. A clinical trial aims at evaluating the 810 nm-diode laser in surgical incisions, with only one laser treatment immediately after skin closure, of patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV. Surgical incisions were divided into two fields, with only portions randomly selected receiving laser treatment. At the final scar analysis (12 months) of the pilot study, the treated portion scored significantly better for both surgeon (P = 0.046) and patients (P = 0.025). Further studies may be warranted to better understand the cellular mechanisms leading to Laser-Assisted Skin Healing (LASH).

show abstract

Treatment of resistant tattoos using a new generation Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser: Influence of beam profile and spot size on clearance success

Cited by 28 publications

References 13 publications

Tattoo removal by non‐professionals – medical and forensic considerations

Tattoo removal by non‐professionals – medical and forensic considerations

In Vitro and In Vivo Laser Treatments of Tattoos

Scar prevention by laser-assisted scar healing (LASH) using thermal post-conditioning

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About