What laser tattoo removal laser is known to be the least risky in causing changes in skin color such as hypo pigmentation?

Thank you for your question in regards to tattoo removal. A laser with a 1064 wavelength can safely treat all skin types with lower risks of pigmentation issues. Also, depending on the color of your tattoo will be of concern as well. Different wavelengths of lasers respond best to certain ink colors. To be sure what is best for you, see two or more board-certified providers in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have treatment. I hope this helps!

The PicoWay laser uses short bursts of energy that last only trillioneths of a second. Therefore, it is less likely to cause discomfort or damage. Even darker skin tones do well with PicoWay, as there is a much lower chance of the laser causing hyper- or hypopigmentation. In my practice, I treat many people of Asian heritage and have encountered no problems with hyperpigmentation. PicoWay is a very effective laser for tattoo removals in most skin tones. A board-certified dermatologist who is an expert at tattoo removal will be able to evaluate your skin to make sure you are a candidate for PicoWay.

The safest laser wavelength for tattoo removal is 1064 nm; this is the wavelength of the Nd:YAG laser. This wavelength of light has very little effect on skin pigment (melanin) in the epidermis and is thus safe for nearly all skin types.
Picosecond lasers are more effective than older nanosecond lasers for tattoo removal. The original picosecond laser, the PicoSure, operates at 755 nm. This wavelength can affect epidermal pigment, and in patients with darker skin tones PicoSure treatments can result in hypopigmentation. Fortunately, the new PiQo4 laser has picosecond range pulse durations at both 1064 nm and 532 nm.
Multicolored tattoos can present a special challenge and may require treatment with two or more laser wavelengths. The most advanced laser centers now offer picosecond lasers in multiple wavelengths.

Thanks for your question.  We get this same question in our office all the time.  You have 2 routes for laser tattoo removal.Q-Switch or nanosecond lasers came out about 20 years ago.  Picosecond laser came out about 3 years ago.  The majority of former Q-Switch patients we see have significant hypopigmentation (ghosting) around and under their tattoo.  The Q-Switch lasers have trouble differentiating between the melanin in your skin and ink.  The technology uses heat to burn the pigment out of your skin.  In addition, we have seen patients with raised scars as if they have been branded.  Both of these condition are irreversible.  Picosecond lasers (like the Enlighten, PicoWay & PicoSure) fire 1000 times faster, using a pressure wave rather than heat to shear the ink molecules apart.  After using the PicoSure for almost 2 years, we have only seen pinpoint hypopigmentation in a very small number of patients usually of darker skin tones.  We cannot say it is impossible to get burned with a Picosecond laser, but it is highly unlikely.  We tell every PicoSure tattoo patient to expect at least 6 treatments, but don’t be surprised if it takes 10 to 12.  Patience is the key for our patients.  We typically see our tattoo removal patients every 8 to 12 weeks initially.  If they have more time than money, we encourage them to come every 6 months as the tattoos seem to continue to fade while they wait.Treatment prices vary by market.  Your tattoo is extremely large and so will be the cost of removal.  The cost for picosecond treatments will be higher, but you should need less than half the treatments compared to a nanosecond laser.