Research is underway to improve both the techniques and devices used for laser tattoo removal. The recently presented "R20" method suggests repeating QS laser treatment four times in a single session spaced 20 minutes apart to allow whitening to fade.24 The investigators found more rapid clearing with the R20 technique versus areas of the same tattoo that received a single treatment per session. Weiss et al. found that adding nonablative fractional 1550 nm laser treatment after QS laser reduced the amount of treatment-induced hypopigmentation.25 The investigators also found that fractional CO2 laser therapy immediately after QS laser treatment enhanced the rate of pigment clearance versus QS laser alone. The theoretical mechanisms described include the fractional CO2 laser ablation of superficial tattoo pigment and the induction of an immune response that potentiates removal of the treated pigment.
Lasers in the picosecond (10-12) domain are currently under development.26 Theoretically, delivering a sub-nanosecond pulse could more effectively confine the energy to the tattoo particle, resulting in increased photoacoustic breakup of the target. This would allow for effective treatment utilizing lower fluences, thereby decreasing thermal energy transfer to surrounding tissues and minimizing the risk of scarring.
Have you read about the "R20" method? I just read about it. They recommend that the tattoo is treated 4 times in one sitting as opposed to just once. Studies show there is a big difference in fading. Here's a link here: http://www.skintherapyletter.com/2011/16.10/1.html
Thanks for the advice on numbing. I use antiseptic cream for the first week, then use aloe vera gel to soothe the skin and stop the itching! :-) I'll keep watching your blog to see how you go with the revlite laser. Cheers.
Awesome stuff Jo, I appreciate your help. Yes, I have had 16 sessions at the Mangere place myself - just because it was the cheaper option as I had gone to Caci Clinic and they said they were going to charge me something like $700 a session! Which is outrageous. I haven't had any scarring and the tatt has faded considerably but I think I'll take your advice and check out Skin Specialist in Remuera. I expected it to be gone by now as it's black ink not coloured. $150 is a good price and I'd like to see the difference in lasers. Did you notice any difference so far in fading or is it too early to tell? Any difference in pain? I recently discovered emla cream which seems to make the process more tolerable :-)
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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190962211008152
Research is underway to improve both the techniques and devices used for laser tattoo removal. The recently presented "R20" method suggests repeating QS laser treatment four times in a single session spaced 20 minutes apart to allow whitening to fade.24 The investigators found more rapid clearing with the R20 technique versus areas of the same tattoo that received a single treatment per session. Weiss et al. found that adding nonablative fractional 1550 nm laser treatment after QS laser reduced the amount of treatment-induced hypopigmentation.25 The investigators also found that fractional CO2 laser therapy immediately after QS laser treatment enhanced the rate of pigment clearance versus QS laser alone. The theoretical mechanisms described include the fractional CO2 laser ablation of superficial tattoo pigment and the induction of an immune response that potentiates removal of the treated pigment.
Lasers in the picosecond (10-12) domain are currently under development.26 Theoretically, delivering a sub-nanosecond pulse could more effectively confine the energy to the tattoo particle, resulting in increased photoacoustic breakup of the target. This would allow for effective treatment utilizing lower fluences, thereby decreasing thermal energy transfer to surrounding tissues and minimizing the risk of scarring.
http://www.skintherapyletter.com/2011/16.10/1.html