Which laser is the best option to fade this tattoo?

Question

Hello people, I want to fade my tattoo so i can do a cover on it. Which laser is the best option to remove this tattoo? Picosure, Q-Laser, etc And how many treatments should do it? Thanks!!!

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

Pico lasers remove tattoes in fewer number of treatments for a difference from other lasers and the risk of side effects is minimal. Your tattoo can be faded with as few as 4 treatments and completely removed with probably 6 treatments. You will need different wavelengths for green and black ink. For black ink you need 1064nm, while for green ink you need 694nm. Picosure would work great for green while PiQo4 would work for black ink. Good luck!

Joseph Doumit, MD · Answer

I would recommend Pico laser since it is the most advanced . Your tattoo has dark green and black from what I can see , the laser should be able to do its job . You might need 5-6 sessions for removal, more or less.

Jennifer Rullan, MD · Answer

Q-Switch (QS) lasers, specifically the 1064nm wavelength, can remove blue and black ink as seen in your tattoo.  If your tattoo has some green ink, then QS Ruby (694nm) or QS Alex (755nm) may also need to be used.  In our office we use the Harmony XL with excellent results.  On average, it could take about 10 sessions, however it completely depends on the quality of the ink used.  I have had some tattoos resolve completely after a single session, and then others won't get significant fading until around 6-10 sessions.  Some of the newer lasers, such as the Picosure, may need less sessions and will have a faster procedure time.  Good luck!

Daniel J. Ritacca, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Pico lasers are the most advanced technology. I utilize the PiQo4 laser which has 4 Pico wavelengths. Certain colors respond best to certain wavelengths. The amount of treatments can vary based on several factors such as the location of your tattoo, your skin tone, how sharp the ink is, and how quickly your body eliminates the ink. I think it is important not only to seek the best technology but an experienced laser tattoo removal provider. Best wishes.

Mark A. Blair, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question and for including a photo. The latest technology in laser tattoo removal is pico-second technology. The PicoWay Laser (Candela/Syneron) uses photoacoustic
impact/pressure waves rather than photothermal/heat.  This process has less heat, therefore it is
more comfortable and the chances of hyperpigmentation are less.  The Pico-second pulse shatters the ink into
even smaller particles, allowing the body to more easily absorb the ink. This new technology can usually remove a tattoo in about half as many treatments as the traditional Q-switch device. Depending on how much fade you want will determine how many treatments may be necessary.  I'm guessing that 4-5 treatments with a PicoWay laser will significantly fade the ink.  The Q-switch device will work fine, it just may be more treatments necessary in order to fade the ink. Good Luck!

Steven F. Weiner, MD · Answer

I can't tell if this is green or black. A black tattoo requires a 1064 laser. Start with a QS laser and finish with a Pico if needed. The green tattoo is best treated with the Picosure with it's Alex wavelength.

Lisa Vuich, MD · Answer

Your tattoo is professionally done and has a high ink density. In general this situation requires more sessions to fade or remove than an amateur tattoo. Most likely you would achieve a good fade within 5 sessions. You should do well with either a high quality q switch laser such as the Astanza Duality (part of the Astanza Trinity system) or with Picosure given this mostly black design. Not all q switch lasers are the same- they vary widely in terms of power. Picosecond lasers will not necessarily remove ink faster, and they have more limited power than a high end nanosecond system (like Astanza) so resistant and deeply placed ink can be a problem for them.

Best,

Lisa Vuich, MD

Best,

Lisa Vuich, MD

Stuart H. Bentkover, MD (retired) · Answer

The PicoSure laser has the latest technology.  The pulse if much shorter than the older Q switched technology.  We have been very pleased with the results and sold out Qswitched laser.  The link below shows a tattoo removal in progress after just two treatments.

Which laser is the best option to fade this tattoo?

Answers (8)

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