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The picosecond laser for tattoo removal

Lasers in Medical Science volume 31, pages 1733–1737 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

The prevalence of tattoos continues to grow as modern society’s stigma towards this form of body art shifts towards greater acceptance. Approximately one third of Americans aged 18–25 and 40 % of Americans aged 26–40 are tattooed. As tattoos continue to rise in popularity, so has the demand for an effective method of tattoo removal such as lasers. The various colors of tattoo inks render them ideal targets for specific lasers using the principle of selective photothermolysis. Traditional laser modalities employed for tattoo removal operate on pulse durations in the nanosecond domain. However, this pulse duration range is still too long to effectively break ink into small enough particles. Picosecond (10−12) lasers have emerged at the forefront of laser tattoo removal due to their shorter pulse lengths, leading to quicker heating of the target chromophores, and consequently, more effective tattoo clearance. Recent studies have cited more effective treatment outcomes using picosecond lasers. Future comparative studies between picosecond lasers of various settings are necessary to determine optimal laser parameters for tattoo clearance.

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Acknowledgments

This study did not obtain any funding.

Author contributions

Vincent M. Hsu had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Hsu, Aldahan, Mlacker, Shah, and Nouri are responsible for the study concept and design; acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data; drafting of the manuscript; critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content; and administrative, technical, or material support. Nouri is responsible for the study supervision. Statistical analysis is not applicable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1475 NW 12th Ave. Suite 2175, Miami, FL, 33136, USA

    Vincent M. Hsu, Adam S. Aldahan, Stephanie Mlacker, Vidhi V. Shah & Keyvan Nouri

Authors
  1. Vincent M. Hsu
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  2. Adam S. Aldahan
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  3. Stephanie Mlacker
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  4. Vidhi V. Shah
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  5. Keyvan Nouri
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Correspondence to Vincent M. Hsu.

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Cite this article

Hsu, V.M., Aldahan, A.S., Mlacker, S. et al. The picosecond laser for tattoo removal. Lasers Med Sci 31, 1733–1737 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-016-1924-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-016-1924-9

Keywords

  • Laser
  • Picosecond
  • Removal
  • Tattoo