What Is The Best Laser For Tattoo Removal?
Important Factors to Consider When Evaluating the Best Laser Tattoo Removal Machine to Buy – Now that you are aware of the wavelength options available, you’ll need to consider a few important factors when investing in a tattoo removal machine. We’ve broken down three key factors to consider:
- The laser technology and which lasers are best for tattoo removal services. Whether that be cosmetic, professional, or amateur tattoos.
- Spot size and why it’s important to have spot sizes available for your removal equipment.
- Ease of use, such as checking reviews like this guide for detailed guidance.
There is tattoo removal equipment available for cosmetic, professional, and amateur tattoos. Tattoo ink, unlike removal machines, is not FDA regulated.
- Cosmetic ink can be removed, but has the potential to oxidize depending on the color. Typically, it’s best to use a Nd: YAG laser (1064 nm) or the Alexandrite laser (755 nm-730 nm) when treating black, gray, or brown brows.
- Professional ink (even from a reputable artist) can have heavy metals, lipids, and other components that can affect the removal process. The best wavelength to use for professional ink is determined by the ink color. Typically it’s recommended to use the Nd: YAG laser (1064 nm, 532 nm) to treat dark pigments like black, blue, and warm toned colors. However, the alexandrite or ruby (755 nm & 694 nm) lasers would prove most effective for difficult light blues and green pigments to remove.
- Amature tattoo ink could be made out of anything. From Indian ink to soot, anything can be used to permanently distribute pigment within the dermis. Amature tattoos are typically done with a black pigment and recommended to be removed with the Nd: YAG laser (1064 nm) to target the black pigment.
The best tattoo removal laser will have a variety of spot sizes. Large spot sizes such as 10 mm target the deepest ink, while smaller ones such as 3mm target the ink closest to the surface. We find that starting with a larger spot size to target the deepest ink and working our way to the surface with smaller spot sizes is the most effective method to remove tattoos safely.
You will also have to consider the ease of use. It’s important to check the reviews written for the laser of your choosing. Analyze the size of the laser tattoo removal equipment, its accessibility, cost, and technology.
Ready to determine the best laser available for you? Continue reading this guide for detailed guidance. We’ll be breaking down the cost of laser tattoo removal machines next.
Contents
- 1 What is the most advanced laser for tattoo removal?
- 2 Is PicoWay better than PicoSure?
- 3 Can a tattoo be completely removed?
- 4 How many sessions does it take to remove tattoo?
What is the most advanced laser for tattoo removal?
Before the availability of laser tattoo removal, tattoos were surgically removed, taking away not only the tattoo, but also the surrounding skin tissue, often causing permanent scarring. Later, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and nanosecond lasers (Q-switch lasers) were introduced; and while less invasive than surgery, they offered limited results that often came with side effects like scarring, hypopigmentation, and hyperpigmentation. 1,2 
And unlike earlier technologies that removed a very limited selection of ink colors and were typically restricted for use on lighter skin tones as a safety precaution, picosecond laser technology, like that of the PicoWay® system, can work across all skin tones—from fair to dark skin—and can remove a wide range of ink colors. 3,4 
.
Which laser is best for black ink tattoo removal?
Answer: Black ink is the easiest tattoo color to remove. Both Picosecond and Q-Switched lasers are highly effective. Excellent results can be obtained with a good Q-Swtiched ND-YAG, Ruby, or Axelandrite laser depending on the background skin type, location of the tattoo, depth of the ink and settings used.
What is the newest tattoo removal laser?
Benefits of PicoSure – PicoSure is the latest advancement in tattoo removal services. Some if not all of its most notable benefits include:
- Reduced side effects, including less injury to surrounding skin
- Fewer treatments than traditional lasers are necessary for excellent results
- Improved clearance, even on difficult ink colors and recalcitrant tattoos
- Quick treatment sessions that last just minutes
Is red or blue laser better for tattoo removal?
SAN DIEGO – When counseling patients about laser tattoo removal, resist the temptation to promise clearance in a certain number of treatments. “You will regret it,” Mathew M. Avram, MD, JD, said at the annual Masters of Aesthetics Symposium. “If you say, ‘This looks like this is going to take 6-8 treatments, this looks very simple to me,’ you’ll find that you’ll have someone who requires 15-18 treatments.
- Further, partial clearing may be cosmetically inferior than nontreatment;
- ” Laser tattoo removal can be painful and expensive, but it is still better than all other alternatives, said Dr;
- Avram , who directs the Massachusetts General Hospital dermatology laser and cosmetic center in Boston;
Traditionally, tattoos have been treated with Q-switched nanosecond lasers that were developed at Mass General Hospital by R. Rox Anderson, MD. “These target the microscopic tattoo particles located inside dermal phagocytic cells and scattered extracellularly throughout the dermis,” Dr.
Avram explained. The Q-switched laser heats particles to more than 1,000º C within nanoseconds, or billionths of a second. “It produces extreme heat, cavitation, and cell rupture,” he said. “The clinical endpoint is immediate epidermal whitening of tattooed skin.
” The process causes transdermal elimination; some of it flows into the lymphatic system, while the rest undergoes rephagocytosis by dermal scavenger cells. Picosecond lasers are even faster than their Q-switched counterparts, delivering high energies in trillionths of a second.
“A picosecond is to a second as 1 second is to 37,000 years,” Dr. Avram said. Commercially available picosecond (ps) lasers include devices with wavelengths of 532 nm, 755 nm, and 1,064 nm that deliver energy in a range of 300-750 ps.
The Nd:YAG lasers work best for red and black ink, while Alexandrite lasers work best for green and blue ink. In Dr. Avram’s experience, ps lasers are generally more effective for tattoo removal, compared with nanosecond lasers. “There’s some nonselective targeting of other pigments, and they’re particularly effective for faded tattoos,” he said.
- “Combining nanosecond and picosecond devices provides enhanced results, but picosecond lasers are more expensive;
- ” The clinical endpoint for ps lasers is the same as for nanosecond lasers: epidermal whitening;
He said he schedules about 8 weeks between treatments. “If you don’t inform patients of the expectations, they’re going to be very disappointed with you,” Dr. Avram said. “You need to tell them that it’s going to take a lot of treatments and that it may not clear completely.
You may be working with them for a year or 2. ” The checklist prior to the first treatment with any laser involves assessing the type of tattoo (amateur or professional), the color of the tattoo, patient skin type, and the duration of the tattoo.
“You also want to palpate for an existing scar,” he said. “A lot of times, patients don’t recognize they have a scar on the treatment site. You don’t want to own a complication that has nothing to do with your treatments. Photographing the scar is also important.
- ” Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation is a greater concern in darker skin types or tanned individuals, compared with fairer-skinned patients;
- “The 1,064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is the least likely to affect skin pigment,” said Dr;
Avram, who is codirector of the Massachusetts General Hospital/Wellman Laser and Cosmetic Fellowship. “It’s safest for Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI but it’s not very effective for green, blue, and red tattoo ink colors. Some degree of dyspigmentation occurs in most patients regardless of skin type.
Much of this is temporary and improves with time, but it may take months to years. ” Professional tattoos are the most difficult to treat because they often feature dense and deeply placed tattoo ink and require 6-20 or more treatments to improve, he said.
On the other hand, amateur tattoos, traumatic tattoos, and radiation tattoos improve more rapidly and generally require fewer treatment to yield improvement. “Color is key,” Dr. Avram said. “If you have different colors in one tattoo, it is going to be more difficult to clear.
” Black and dark-blue tattoos respond best to laser, while light blue and green also respond well. Red responds well, but purple can be challenging. “Yellow and orange do not respond well, but they respond partially,” he said.
Researchers who conducted a large cohort trial of variables influencing the outcome of tattoos treated by Q-switched lasers found that 47% of tattoos were cleared after 10 treatment sessions, while 75% were cleared after 15 sessions ( Arch Dermatol. 2012;148[12]:1364-9 ).
- Predictors of poor response included smoking, the presence of colors other than black and red, tattoo size larger than 30 cm 2 , location on the feet or legs, duration greater than 36 months, high color density, and treatment intervals of 8 weeks or less;
Dr. Avram cautioned against taking a “cookbook” approach to treating tattoos and underscored the importance of decreasing the fluence if tissue “splatter” occurs, as this may produce scarring. “The treating clinician should follow the treatment endpoint, not the laser fluences,” he said.
- “Do not use IPL [intense pulsed light therapy] for tattoos; that’s inappropriate and you may end up scarring your patient;
- ” Common adverse effects include erythema, blistering, hyper- and hypopigmentation, and scarring;
Less common adverse effects include an allergic reaction, darkening of the cosmetic tattoo, an immune reaction, and chrysiasis, a dark-blue pigmentation caused by Q-switched laser treatment in patients with a history of gold-salt ingestion. “Any history of gold ingestion will produce this finding, even if they ingested 40 years ago,” he said.
“This is very difficult to correct. ” The optimal interval between treatments continues to be explored. For example, the R20 method consists of four treatments separated by 20 minutes. The initial study found that this approach led to better outcomes, compared with conventional, single-pass laser treatment ( J Am Acad Dermatol.
2012;66[2]:271-7 ). A companion technology that is playing a role in such repeat treatments is a Food and Drug Administration–approved transparent silicone patch infused with perfluorodecalin that helps reduce scattering and improves efficacy. “It also allows for performing consecutive repeat laser treatments at the same visit,” Dr.
- Avram said;
- In one study, 11 of 17 patients had more rapid clearance on the side treated with the perfluorodecalin patch, compared with the side that was treated without the patch ( Laser Surg Med;
- 2015;47[8]:613-8 );
Dr. Avram disclosed that he has received consulting fees from Allergan, Merz, Sciton, Soliton, and Zalea. He also reported having ownership and/or shareholder interest in Cytrellis, Invasix, and Zalea. dbrunk@frontlinemedcom. com.
Is PicoSure better than Q-Switch?
The choice of which method to use when removing a tattoo can be just as hard as choosing which movie to watch on Netflix. We’re here to make that choice a little easier. Over the years, the Q-Switched and Picosecond lasers have become the safest and most effective methods of tattoo removal.
With higher success rates, and an ability to accurately remove unwanted ink without damaging surrounding skin, tattoo lasers are placed well ahead of their tattoo removal counterparts (such as Dermabrasion and DIY removal creams… cringe).
Both lasers can be endlessly compared, with the key differences being the speed and strength of each machine. Put simply: A Picosecond laser operates at one trillionth of a second, and has a pulse width that is 100 times faster than that of the Q-Switched laser.
It’s about speed. The Q-Switched laser uses a technique that is highly intense, yet ultra-short in pulse durations. It’s considered the ‘Gold Standard’ of tattoo removal by health professionals and operates in nanoseconds, which is equal to one billionth of a second.
It’s about results. Both machines are fast, and extremely popular when it comes to tattoo removal. But, which one is best when it comes to removing unwanted ink? After meeting with the experts, asking the right questions and researching the safety, efficiency and cost of both lasers, the Q-Switched technology brings home the bacon.
Is PicoWay better than PicoSure?
The PicoWay laser also outshines the PicoSure laser with its superior peak power. While the PicoSure only peaks at 0. 36GW, the PicoWay has a peak power of 0. 9GW. This is important because more power ultimately means more effective removal of a tattoo.
Is PicoSure the best?
Enlighten and PicoSure laser tattoo removal are far above the competition for best tattoo removal lasers on the market today. That is because they both take advantage of the only major breakthrough in laser tattoo removal in the last 20 years: Picosecond technology.
Picosecond technology is faster, more powerful, safer, more effective and has less risk for unwanted scarring and other side effects than older Q-switch laser systems. Enlighten can remove deeper ink than any other laser before it.
Enlighten can remove colors of all types from people of both light and dark skin colors. PicoSure was the first picosecond technology laser to get to the market, but it is at its best getting rid of green or blue tattoo ink on lighter skin types and not as effective with other colors.
Is PicoWay the best for tattoo removal?
PicoWay vs PicoSure: The Best For Laser Tattoo Removal – At the end of the day, if you want to choose between PicoWay vs PicoSure tattoo removal laser machines, it boils down to which will best meet your personal needs and circumstances. If you have a dark coloured tattoo and light skin, it’ll be best to opt for a PicoSure laser.
Is Pico laser better?
What is a Pico Laser? – A Pico laser is a picosecond non-surgical laser that generates intense power (1. 8GW) working in ultrashort picosecond laser pulses for immediate and effective results. Compared to a Q-Switched Laser, its pulse rate is 100x shorter meaning that the Pico Laser can administer more laser pulses to the targeted area for optimum efficiency.
Due to the shorter pulse duration, the risk of hyper-pigmentation is also lessened as the skin heating up is reduced. Another noteworthy point is that due to the ultrashort pulse ability, this laser presents a safe and efficacious procedure to remove tattoos as the pigmentation is broken down into smaller fragments.
This also leads to fewer treatment sessions, considerably less to no discomfort and recovery time is reduced depending on the severity of the condition. Despite how new the Pico Laser is, it is greatly respected among Skincare Experts globally. In comparison to traditional lasers, the Pico Laser treatment is non-intrusive, making it safer as the skin damage is particularly minimal and does not impact the surrounding tissues during the treatment.
Can a tattoo be completely removed?
Can Lasers Remove Tattoos Completely? – Yes, lasers can remove tattoos completely. In fact, lasers are the safest, most effective tool to remove unwanted tattoos with. However, you may need to receive several sessions before the tattoo is removed completely.
How many sessions does it take to remove tattoo?
How many sessions does it take to remove a tattoo? – As soon as Dr. Saxena determines that you are a good candidate for laser tattoo removal, we will prepare the treatment area by cleaning it and applying a topical anesthetic. We will then pass the device over the skin as it emits the laser energy.
The session time may vary based on the size of the tattoo, but this will be discussed during the consultation with Dr. Saxena. Sometimes, patients require multiple appointments before obvious results can be seen.
At this time, you will learn how many sessions it takes to remove a tattoo. Laser tattoo removal looks different for everyone since each person and their tattoo is unique. Although it is not possible to predict the number of sessions required for complete removal, most patients generally need 6 – 8 sessions.
Why is tattoo darker after laser removal?
Why Does My Tattoo Look Darker After Laser Removal? – Contrary to what you might think, your tattoo is not getting darker and it’s a normal part of the removal process. Your tattoo is actually still fading even if it looks more vibrant. In fact, it means you are well on your way to clear, tattoo-free skin! Tattoo ink will often oxidize which is what happens to white ink when laser treated.
What’s the hardest tattoo color to remove?
Different colors, different lasers – No single laser can remove all tattoo colors. Different dyes respond to different light wavelengths. Black and dark green are the easiest colors to remove; yellow, purple, turquoise and fluorescent dyes are hardest to fade.
What tattoos are the easiest to remove?
Are old tattoos easier to remove?
Remove Old Tattoos – The age of your tattoo is a factor in how easy it is to remove. Older tattoos do tend to be removed more easily because they have typically already had some fading over time. For this reason, older tattoos will often take fewer sessions to remove than a newer tattoo would.
How many sessions of PicoSure does it take to remove a tattoo?
Tattoo Removal – PicoSure treatments can also be used for tattoo removal. Depending on the specific pigmentation, design, and color of the tattoo, it should only take between 3 and 5 treatments to remove the tattoo entirely.
Is enlighten better than PicoSure?
Enlighten and PicoSure laser tattoo removal are far above the competition for best tattoo removal lasers on the market today. That is because they both take advantage of the only major breakthrough in laser tattoo removal in the last 20 years: Picosecond technology.
Picosecond technology is faster, more powerful, safer, more effective and has less risk for unwanted scarring and other side effects than older Q-switch laser systems. Enlighten can remove deeper ink than any other laser before it.
Enlighten can remove colors of all types from people of both light and dark skin colors. PicoSure was the first picosecond technology laser to get to the market, but it is at its best getting rid of green or blue tattoo ink on lighter skin types and not as effective with other colors.
How painful is PicoSure tattoo removal?
Does tattoo removal hurt? – Yes, there is some pain associated when the laser makes contact with the skin, although PicoSure™ is less painful than traditional tattoo removal. Patients often refer to this as similar to hot bacon grease hitting the skin.
- We use numbing medication, applied topically 15 minutes prior;
- The good news is that it only lasts as long as the procedure is done (less than one minute);
- After your tattoo laser removal treatment, you can expect redness, heat, possible blistering, and itching for the next few days;
We ask you keep the area covered for about a week.
Can tattoo be completely removed?
Can Lasers Remove Tattoos Completely? – Yes, lasers can remove tattoos completely. In fact, lasers are the safest, most effective tool to remove unwanted tattoos with. However, you may need to receive several sessions before the tattoo is removed completely.
