Combination of Dual Wavelength Picosecond and Nanosecond Pulse Width Neodymium‐Doped Yttrium–Aluminum–Garnet Lasers for Tattoo Removal. Issue 6 (14th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kato, H.; Doi, K.; Kanayama, K.; Araki, J.; Nakatsukasa, S.; Chi, D.; Mori, M.; Fuse, Y.; Sakae, Y.; Uozumi, T.
• Is Part Of: Lasers in surgery and medicine. Volume 52:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 515
• Page End: 522
• Publication Date: 2019-11-14
• Subjects: tattoo removal -- 2 nanosecond -- 750 picosecond -- dual wavelength laser -- laser treatment; Lasers in medicine -- Periodicals; Lasers in surgery -- Periodicals; 617
• DOI: 10.1002/lsm.23181
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8092

Abstract

Abstract : Background and Objectives: Tattoo removal by laser has been mostly performed using Q‐switched laser, which has nanosecond pulse width. In recent years, the efficacy of treatment with picosecond pulse width laser has also been reported. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Using a picosecond‐domain, neodymium‐doped yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser with a potassium‐titanyl‐phosphate frequency‐doubling crystal, we performed a retrospective clinical study with combination treatment using pulse widths of 750 ps and 2 ns. The number of treatments was compared with the Kirby–Desai score. Tissue changes immediately after laser irradiation at 2 ns and 750 ps were compared using an electron microscope. Results: The combination treatment using pulse widths of 2 ns and 750 ps was safe and more effective than the Q‐switched neodymium‐doped yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser treatment. Tattoo removal was possible with significantly fewer treatment numbers than the Kirby–Desai score, without adverse events. The results from the scanning electron microscope revealed that ink particles irradiated by 750 ps were more dispersed than those by 2 ns. Conclusions: The combination treatment with pulse widths of 2 ns and 750 ps and 1064 nm and 532 nm wavelengths using the neodymium‐doped yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser was safe and effective and can be a useful option for tattoo removal. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.