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The future of Tattoo Removal

How Electro-Optics have revolutionised laser treatments
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Growing Tattoo Regret

As tattoos and SPMU (semi-permanent makeup) have become more popular, so too has the occurrence of tattoo regret, fuelled by several factors, including shifting cultural perceptions of tattoos, changes in personal preferences / brow fashion, professional considerations, and simply badly applied tattoos/SMPU. These have prompted many to seek removal solutions - the most reliable and accessible being laser tattoo removal.

The rise of social media and its influence on personal aesthetics also contribute to the market’s expansion, as individuals strive for specific looks that may not align with their existing tattoos. As a result, the tattoo removal industry is expected to continue its upward trajectory, with clinics and practitioners increasingly adopting cutting-edge technologies to meet the growing demand.

One in every 6 tattoos are regretted within the first 6 weeks of the ink going in.

Precision Pulse Duration

The most common type of tattoo removal laser is the Q-Switched NdYAG laser, which releases pulses of energy around 8-10 nanoseconds in length - that's 8-10 billionths of a second!

The photo-mechanical effect (converting light to movement) of these short pulses is how the target ink particles are shattered into smaller fragments. In contrast, longer pulses are used for treatments like hair removal, where the laser light is converted to heat (a photo-thermal effect) in the hair to destroy it.

 

Enter Electro-Optics

Among the technological advancements of laser, the introduction of electro-optics in Q-switched lasers stands out as a pivotal development.

This game-changing technology essentially reduces the Q-Switched laser pulse duration down to just 3-5 nanoseconds - 50% less than a traditional Q-Switched laser.

Here's three reasons why this makes such a difference:

1. Enhanced Efficiency

The ability to produce extremely short pulses means that more energy can be delivered in a shorter time frame, increasing the laser’s efficiency in breaking down tattoo pigments. This results in fewer treatment sessions and more rapid fading of the tattoo.

 

2. Reduced Discomfort

The even shorter, intense pulses delivered by Q-switched lasers with electro-optics minimise the thermal damage to the skin, reducing discomfort during and after the procedure. Patients often report less pain compared to other laser technologies, making the process more tolerable.

 

3. Improved Safety

The precise control over laser parameters reduces the risk of adverse effects, such as hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, or related thermal effects like blistering. The enhanced safety profile makes the Electro-optics Q-switched laser a preferred choice for serious aesthetic professionals.

Nano vs Pico

If a shorter nanosecond pulse has several key clinical benefits, then an even shorter picosecond (one trillionth of a second) pulse would arguably be even better.

While picosecond lasers have been popularised by claims of more effective treatments and the correlating requirement of a reduced number of treatments, the reality is that the difference in results between a picosecond laser and electro-optics Q-Switched laser is minimal, with both types effectively removing tattoos over a similar timeline. This stands to reason when considering that most picosecond lasers deliver pulses of around 900 picoseconds, which is 0.9 nanoseconds - not a considerable amount less than the 3-5 nanoseconds of an electro-optics laser. Despite this, picosecond lasers tend to be significantly more expensive due to the technology involved (true picosecond lasers will start from about £50K), without offering a proportionate improvement in clinical outcomes compared to the more affordable electro-optics Q-Switched laser.

 

Conclusion

The integration of electro-optics in Q-switched lasers has revolutionised the field of tattoo and SPMU removal, offering a host of benefits that enhance the efficacy and safety of the procedure. Patients can now achieve their desired outcomes with fewer sessions, less discomfort, and reduced risk of complications. In-turn, this gains clinics that adopt the latest advancements in laser technology a clear advantage over their competitors in establishing a reputation for results.

 

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