We see all different coloured tattoos here at the laser studio and some inks are noticeably easier to remove than others. This is because no one, single laser is suitable to eradicate all ink pigments. Several different laser lights are required for the removal of multi-coloured tattoos. Modern tattoo removal lasers are differentiated by the lasing medium used to create the various wavelengths, measured in nanometers (nm).
These are as follows –
Q-switched Nd:YAG: 1064 nm. This laser creates a near-infrared light which is poorly absorbed by melanin, making this the only laser suitable for darker skin tones, subject to consultation on an individual basis. This laser wavelength is well absorbed by all dark tattoo inks and is considered the safest wavelength to use on skin tissue due to the low melanin and haemoglobin absorption. Consequently, this is the wavelength of choice for tattoo removal in darker skin types and particularly for black ink
Q-switched doubled Nd:YAG: 532 nm. This laser creates a green light which is highly absorbed by red, orange pigments and also by melanin which makes the laser effective for treating age/sun spots.
Q-switched Ruby: 694 nm. This laser creates a red light which targets green and dark tattoo pigments. However, this wavelength is also absorbed by melanin, increasing the risk of skin pigmentation change, particularly in darker skin tones. This is generally considered to be the best wavelength for blue ink.
Q-switched Alexandrite: 755 nm. The weakest of all the modern Q-switched lasers, the Alexandrite creates a red light which is highly absorbed by green and some dark tattoo pigments…similar to the Ruby. However, this laser light is slightly less absorbed by melanin, so carries a lower incidence of unwanted pigment change. Although this laser works well on green tattoos it is noticeably less effective (compared to 1064nm) on black and dark inks. It is also highly unlikely to work on red, orange, yellow, brown, etc. inks. It should be carefully noted that the R20 method of laser tattoo removal was initially tested with an Alexandrite laser (i.e a weaker laser).
Here at Original Laser Studio we use the Q-switched Nd:YAG: 1064 nm and 532 nm laser meaning we can remove most dark ink pigments and also colours within the red/orange/brown spectrum very effectively, as above.
