I posted on this site a couple of months ago, after my first consultation with a laser technician. That technician uses Nd:Yag lasers and told me 4-5 removal sessions would be enough to lighten my tattoo enough for a cover-up. A few doctors on this site suggested the Picosure laser, and I took their advice. The Picosure is *significantly* more expensive, but the laser has been operated by a licensed doctor and I think the results have been good so far. Keep in mind, I have only had treatments with a Picosure laser; I don't know if the Q-Switched lasers would yield the same results... (I also added on to the tattoo in the time between when the earlier photo was taken and when I started the removal process, in an attempt to fix what I already wanted to get rid of.) Updated on 23 Apr 2016: 2.5 weeks after the third treatment and I'm becoming less enthusiastic about the results. :-( Updated on 24 Apr 2016: Updated on 15 May 2016: I had my fourth laser treatment, this time using a q-switched laser (532 nm frequency on the red and 1064 nm on the black). I had a very little reaction this time. I don't know if the settings were just very low, but I had only a little bit of swelling and pain that subsided after only a day. Not seeing a lot of fading this time, but I can definitely tell that the pink responded to the laser, which is heartening. My next treatment is scheduled for late June, and the doctor will be using the R20 method (three passes during one session with 20 minute breaks in between). I'll report back! :-) Updated on 26 Jul 2016: Updated on 29 Oct 2016:
To direct a laser at the eye without proper shielding is completely out of the question. I urge you to avoid any laser handler who suggests this as a possibility.
Many tattoo inks are salts containing a metal cation. All respond beautifully to the appropriate laser therapy, so your tattoos are excellent candidates for laser removal. Very rarely is excision the better choice. After laser removal you should have clear, unblemished skin. Find a medically trained and licensed practitioner with a picosecond laser, and you’re set. Also, beware of advice given by people untrained in the medicine and physics of laser removal. Good luck!
Thank you for your unique question. The PicoSure beam is square, which facilitates refined edits. The laser must be well calibrated to distribute equal energy to the square beam, without “hot” or “cold” spots. A reputable practice will see to this.
The PicoSure laser is an excellent choice, paired with a medically-credentialed operator, of course. The PFD patch is not indicated in your case. It was developed with the intention of allowing 3-4 passes per session with a Q-switched (altogether a different class) laser and not picosecond lasers. Even when used “properly” their effectiveness has not been adequately backed up with evidence. The original study of PFD as an optical clearing agent was statistically weak, with a small sample size and highly questionable methods. Bottom line, to use a PFD patch—especially with a picosecond laser—is a very expensive experiment that the experimental subject (you) would be bearing the cost of. This makes we worry about the operator’s knowledge of medicine, physics, chemistry, and the interpretation of studies. I hope you will proceed cautiously—without the patch. Good luck!
After several treatments of a tattoo, it’s normal and expected to see no frosting. Frosting is not a measure of a treatment’s effectiveness in any way, a fact that I would expect any experienced practitioner to know intimately. Also, there is no rationale for using the PFD patch with a Picosecond laser. In fact, proper use (according to the manufacturer) dictates use with a nanosecond laser solely for the purpose of retreating quickly, without waiting for frosting (if any) to clear. There exists no solid data justifying the perfluorodecalin patch at all, but that’s a subject for another Q&A. Short answer: Don’t spend the money, and beware of people who offer it. I recommend, as always, finding a medically trained and licensed practitioner (eg MD, DO, RN) to continue your tattoo removal. That person is likelier to understand the physics, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology of the task at hand. Good luck!
