Laser Tattoo Removal
Pico laser tattoo removal is clinically proven to clear unwanted tattoos.
Pico laser treatment is associated with faster clearance, less side effects and less pain.
- Safe for all skin types
- Pico lasers causes less collateral damage to the skin
- Lower risk of post-inflammatory hyerpigmentation
- From $250 onwards per session (depending on size)
Consultation and Assessment
30-45 minutes (including prepation)
Interval of 6-8 weeks
Downtime of 1 week
How Pico Laser Tattoo Removal Works?
Pico laser tattoo removal is the current gold standard at removing unwanted tattoos. Pico laser technology uses ultrashort pulses of energy to break down tattoo pigments without much heat and damage to the surrounding skin. By breaking down the tattoo pigments into smaller particles, your body then naturally removes the tattoo pigment over time.
Laser tattoo removal depends on the wavelength of the laser.
- Colours that are easiest to remove: black, blue, dark brown, green
- Colours that are difficult to remove: red, orange, yellow, light blue
How many Laser sessions are needed to remove tattoo?
The best laser tattoo removal approach takes into consideration the colour, depth, location and whether the tattoo done by a professional or amateur tattoo artists. For example, an amateur tattoo usually requires less sessions as only one ink type is used and the ink is placed in a more superficial location in the skin.
The Kirby-Desai Scale gives the approximate number of laser sessions you may need. It is a validated practical tool that allows an individual to estimate the number of laser sessions needed and the costs involved. This scale takes into account your skin type, location of tattoo, layering, number of colours and history of skin scarring.
Laser treatments are spaced at least 6-8 weeks apart to enable healing of the skin and to allow clearance of the tattoo pigment by the body’s immune system.
After a consultation and assessment of your skin, your doctor should give you information on the best laser tattoo removal treatment options, expected recovery and side effects.
A topical anaesthetic cream is applied to numb your skin, maximizing your comfort. The laser pulse feels like a rubber band snapping against your skin. You will experience some discomfort, redness and swelling after the laser, which will fade in a few days. Skin care and sun avoidance after the procedure is crucial to prevent complications like infection, scarring and pigmentation.
A topical anaesthetic cream is applied to your skin prior to the procedure to optimize your comfort. A rubber snapping sensation is felt. From studies, pico-second laser is less painful than Q-switched laser tattoo removal.
There will be some redness, swelling and discomfort immediately after your laser tattoo removal procedure. However, this only lasts a few days. In some patients, a blister may form which can take up to 2 weeks to heal depending on the size of it. Uncommon side effects include hyperpigmentation, prardoxical darkening, hypopigmentation, infection, skin textural changes and scarring.
Yes. Laser tattoo removal is selective and causes minimal collateral damage to the skin. For darker skin individuals, laser treatments can be safely and effectively carried out. Dr Moses Ng usually advises a gradual step wise approach when it comes to laser tattoo removal in individuals with darker skin type.
Pico-second lasers are effective at removing multi-coloured tattoos. The removal of tattoos would depend on the wavelength of the laser. For example, the 1064nm picosecond laser is effective for black ink. The 532nm picosecond laser is useful for red, yellow, purple and orange colours.
Paradoxical darkening refers to the darkening of your tattoo after your laser procedure. This can occur with tattoos of various colours. This effect is due to a chemical reaction to compounds such as iron oxide that are contained within the tattoo. If this occurs, it can be treated with a 1064nm picoseond laser.
More Information:
- Tattoo removal – American Academy of Dermatology
- Kirby-Desai Scale – Click here
- Nd:YAG Laser – DermNet
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Related Information:
References:
- Kilmer SL, Lee MS, Anderson RR. Treatment of multi-colored tattoos with the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (532 nm): a dose response study with comparison to the Q-switched ruby laser. Lasers Surg Med Suppl. 1993. 5:54.
- Ross EV, Naseef G, Lin C, Kelly M, Michaud N, Flotte TJ, Raythen J, Anderson RR. Comparison of responses of tattoos to picosecond and nanosecond Q-switched neodymium: YAG lasers. Archives of dermatology. 1998 Feb 1;134(2):167-71.
- Jones A, Roddey P, Orengo I, Rosen T. The Q-switched ND:YAG laser effectively treats tattoos in darkly pigmented skin. Dermatol Surg. 1996 Dec. 22(12):999-1001.
- Reiter, O., Atzmony, L., Akerman, L. et al. Picosecond lasers for tattoo removal: a systematic review. Lasers Med Sci 31, 1397–1405 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-016-2001-0
- Wu, D.C., Goldman, M.P., Wat, H. and Chan, H.H. (2021), A Systematic Review of Picosecond Laser in Dermatology: Evidence and Recommendations. Lasers Surg Med, 53: 9-49. https://doi-org.abc.cardiff.ac.uk/10.1002/lsm.23244
- Kono T, Chan HHL, Groff WF, Imagawa K, Hanai U, Akamatsu T. Prospective Comparison Study of 532/1064 nm Picosecond Laser vs 532/1064 nm Nanosecond Laser in the Treatment of Professional Tattoos in Asians. Laser Ther. 2020 Jul 17;29(1):47-52. doi: 10.5978/islsm.20-OR-07. PMID: 32903983; PMCID: PMC7447827.
