Is IPL the most effective laser for color ink?

Tattoo removal via LASER
Specifically targets color of tattoo ink and breaks it up into smaller particles.Proven by countless studies to be the treatment of choice and effective Your skin will eliminate the smaller particles with 1 of 3 ways (evaporation, removal via lymphatics, and macrophage elimination)The only safe and effective practice to remove tattoos is to see an expert with the latest technology laser.  For patients who can not afford tattoo removal here options:
Try a payment plan and space out your treatment sessions.  If a tattoo session is $200 and you finance it over 6 months, it is less than a haircut. Once your tattoo is light enough, either tattoo over your existing tattoo with skin color ink or have another tattoo placed over it.Wear skin camouflage make up to help conceal it.Try and cover with clothing (not possible for all tattoos)In our practice we utilize the currently most powerful Pico laser on the market called the PiQo4 by Lumenis.  The main advantage of a stronger tattoo laser (combining nano and pico wavelengths at greater power) is faster breakup of the tattoo.  The science of tattoo removal is complex but essentially the greater power will photo acoustically break up tattoo particles in smaller pieces.
Best,
Anil Shah

Ultrashort pulse duration (the fraction of a second that each laser energy pulse is fired on the tattoo ink) needed is needed to shatter the pigment of a tattoo which then allows the body to "carry" it away via the immune and lymphatic systems.Q-switched and now Pico second pulse duration lasers are used such as PicoSure, PicoWay, Enlighten. IPL is a light source of multiple wavelengths and does not have an ultrashort pulse duration. 

Lasers used for tattoo removal are single-wavelength, very high energy, very short pulse duration machines that deliver enough energy to cause the tattoo ink granules in the skin to vaporize, causing a bit of epidermal damage in the process. That is why there is healing involved after treatment, and why multiple treatments are needed. The minimal damage to skin allows maximum ink removal with minimal skin damage and scar risk.

IPL machines are essentially full-spectrum, moderate high energy flashlamps (some with filters that block a portion of the light spectrum for somewhat more selective treatment) that are used to treat fine skin vessels, mild skin discolorations (like sunspots), or rosacea. IPL will not remove tattoos. If an IPL machine is used at very high energies, it could induce a burn, but will have little to no effect on tattoos except to cause a blister and a waste of money!

Infrared coagulators (IRC) are used by some doctors for tattoo removal, but this is more likely to leave a scar or pigmentation changes, but may require fewer treatment sessions (if you are willing to accept scarring or skin color changes).