Fractional Q-Switch laser
Fractional Q-Switch laser
The tattoo is usually made up of different colours & they are located in the deep dermis of the skin. Different wavelengths are required to target different colours in the tattoo to fade it gradually. Fractional Q switched Nd Yag laser is the ideal method of removing permanent tattoo ’s on skin surface without damaging skin.
Can target different colors: Fractional Q switched Nd YAG laser is having a different wavelength to target various colors of tattoo ink.
What is the mechanism of Laser tattoo removal?
Laser tattoo removal works on the principle of “Selective –Photo-thermolysis “. Means, selective wavelength & laser energy is delivered into the deep dermis to cause a thermal breakdown.
In this process, the laser energy is absorbed by the tattoo ink particles in very short time, in nanoseconds. Due to this, the surface temperature of the ink particles rise to thousands of degree ’s but this energy profile rapidly collapses into a shock wave. This shock wave then propagates throughout the local tissue [ the dermis ] causing brittle structures to fragment. Dues to this tissues are largely unaffected since they simply vibrate as shockwave passes.
These ink particles are then divided into multiple fragments & gradually removed by the immune system with phagocytosis
Downtime after treatment:-
• Immediately after Laser Tattoo removal, the area gets slightly elevated, white discoloration [froasting], with or without punctuate bleeding is observed. it takes around 3 to 4 days to heal the area.
• Topical antibacterial creams & broad-spectrum sunscreen is advised to allow good healing & to avoid PIH in the treated area.
• One should go for the gold standard, FDA approved Fractional Q switched Nd YAG laser to avoid side effects after laser tattoo removal.
• Few patients may get, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation on the treated area which fades away gradually. Scarring may occur when removal is done by cheaper lasers, which are not standardized.
During treatment :
• Pain during laser tattoo removal is described to be similar to that of “ hot oil on a skin or a “snap “ from an elastic band.
• The pain involved during the laser Tattoo removal depends upon individual patients pain threshold. The sensitive patient may feel tattoo removal bit painful mainly on the bony areas having less cushion provided by muscles. This pain can be reduced by application of topical anesthesia before 40 to50min of treatment.
The pain of the session can be reduced by using cool air or ice packs.
Sessions required:-
• Laser Tattoo removal needs multiple sessions spaced at least seven weeks apart.
• This is because at each session, some but not all of the tattoo pigment particles are effectively fragmented & the body removes the smallest fragments over the course of several weeks.
• Remaining, large particles of tattoo pigment are targeted at subsequent sessions, causing further lightening.The tattoo located on the extremities take the longest time to fade.
• Treating more frequently than seven weeks can increase the chances of scarring.
Precautions:
• After tattoo removal session, there is redness, localized swelling, punctate bleeding in the treated area.This needs a good care with a topical antibiotic to avoid chances of getting any secondary infection.
