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Microdermabrasion | |
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Tattoo Removal
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Frequently Asked Questions Q: What kinds of tattoos and pigmented lesions can be treated? A: A tattoo's color, depth, and the chemical composition of the ink all affect how it responds to laser light. Black, red, dark orange, and dark blue tattoos will usually respond relatively quickly to treatments with the Palomar Q-YAG 5. However, green, purple, brown, light orange, and light blue colors may require more treatments. In general, most tattoos can be successfully treated, given a sufficient number of treatments. A wide range of pigmented lesions can also be treated, including freckles, sunspots and many brown-colored birthmarks. Q: Does it Hurt? A: Since the laser light selectively targets the undesired ink or pigment, other tissues remain largely unaffected, and therefore most patients report little discomfort. Many people compare the sensation of the pulses entering the skin to the snap of a rubber band. If such "snaps" are too uncomfortable, we do offer topical anesthesia, but this is usually not necessary. Q: What happens after treatment? A: Immediately after laser exposure, the treated areas may become whitish-colored and swell slightly. This subsides in about 30 minutes. The swelling may last longer, but can be reduced by cooling the skin with an ice pack. The tattoo or pigmented lesion will fade over the next few weeks. Q: How long does it take? A: Depending on the size and location of the tattoo or lesion, each treatment usually takes about 10 to 30 minutes. Some faint tattoos and pigmented lesions will fade completely after only one treatment, though most may require five treatments or more. Treatments are spaced six to eight weeks apart to give your body sufficient time to fully eliminate loosened particles of ink or pigment. Q: Are there any side effects? A: Side effects are rare. When side effects do occur, they are usually mild and confined to the treatment target.
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Decorative tattoos have a history dating back at least 5000 years. The
desire to remove them has probably existed just as long. Early attempts to remove
tattoos have had less than desirable results. The use of dermabrasion, salabrasion and
Argon or CO2 lasers have left behind scars in place of the tattoo. The advent of
Q-Switched lasers has permitted the removal of most tattoo inks with a very low risk of
scarring. The Nd:YAG laser is the newest system in this class of
lasers. This laser can significantly lighten or remove many tattoo inks, and is
particularly advanced in the removal of blue, black and red inks. The Nd:YAG laser
removes tattoo ink with the energy of light. Just as natural sunlight is made up of light
wavelengths of many colors, a laser is a device which is designed to produce one or
more specific wavelengths of light. These wavelengths are either absorbed, reflected or
simply passed through the skin but is absorbed by the ink. The rapid absorption of light
energy causes the tattoo ink to destruct, where it is then removed by the body's
natural filtering systems. Medical research has taught us which wavelengths of light to
use and specifically how to deliver the laser's output to best remove tattoo ink. The
Nd:YAG uses a light wavelength which passes through skin, but is absorbed by most
inks. YAG laser also delivers the light in very short, high intensity pulses from
maximum ink destruction. The use of this specific combination of wavelength and
rapidly pulsed light results in minimal damage to the skin while providing maximum
tattoo ink removal. |
Palomar
Q YAG
5 System
How It Works The Palomar Q YAG 5 System is a high-powered laser that removes unwanted tattoos and pigmented lesions (sunspots, freckles, etc.). It emits a highly focused beam of laser light, which passes harmlessly through the outer layer of the skin and is absorbed primarily by the tattoo ink or the excess pigment with the lesion. As the light is absorbed, it is quickly absorbed, it is quickly converted to heat. The sudden rise in temperature with the treatment target fractures the ink or pigment into tiny particles. Tattoo ink fragments are carried away by the lymphatic system, while pigmented lesions are naturally shed from the skin one to two weeks after treatment.
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