Tattoo Removal

Tattoo Removal Treatment Description:

Tattoo removal is commonly performed using lasers that react with the pigment in the tattoo ink, and break it down. The broken-down ink is then absorbed by the body, mimicking the natural fading effect of time and sun exposure. All Tattoo pigments have specific light absorbance spectrums. A tattoo laser must be capable of emitting adequate energy within the given absorbance spectrum of the pigment in order to provide an effective treatment. Certain tattoo pigments, such as yellows, greens and fluorescent inks are more challenging to treat than the darker blacks and blues. These pigments are more challenging to treat because they have absorbance spectrums that fall outside or on the edge of the emission spectrums available in tattoo removal lasers.

The most common laser used in tattoo removal is the Q-switched YAG laser which emits laser energy intermittently at 1064nm and at 532nm. These lasers are highly effective in treating black, and blue tattoo pigment, but are limited in their ability to treat the more challenging pigments.

Hoya Conbio; recently acquired by Cynosure, made significant progress in the development of lasers specifically for the treatment of unwanted tattoos. Both the Revlite and Medlite C6 lasers utilize specialized dye hand-pieces that transform the wavelength of energy emitted by the laser. It should be noted that the energy output of these laser lasers is greatly reduced when the dye hand-pieces are used.  However, the expansion of wavelengths that the dye hand-pieces provide enhances the ability of the laser to treat a broader range of tattoo pigments than standard Q- switched lasers. 

After considering the high cost of a Revlight or C6 laser, one might find that a well designed, lower cost 532nm / 1064nm Q-Switched Laser to be much more appropriate for a growing medical practice.  We have reviewed a number of product offering and decided to offer the Q2 Tattoo removal laser by Emvera.  Please contact us for additional details and pricing.