How Does nd yag tattoo removal Work?

When patients visit us to remove birthmarks, hyperpigmentation and tattoos, California Skin Institute providers may suggest the use of the Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser. This laser was designed to target various types of pigment in the skin, and can achieve significant lightening of pigmented lesions and tattoos. However, whether the Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser is the best treatment option for you will depend on a number of factors, including the specific issue being treated and your medical history. To see if this laser treatment is the right choice for your skin concerns, please call one of the California Skin Institute practices, or schedule your appointment online.

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How the Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser Works

The Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser works by targeting specific pigment in the skin, which TARGETS the damaged skin cells in the treatment area.

When it comes to laser tattoo removal, the Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser targets ink pigment and breaks it up into smaller particles through powerful bursts of energy. The ink is then absorbed into the bloodstream and eventually expelled from the body.

The Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser utilizes two energy frequencies; nanometers, to target deeper skin layers, and 532 nanometers, to address hyperpigmentation and more superficial layers.

What the Q-Switched ND YAG Laser Treats

California Skin Institute providers utilize the Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser for treating pigment-related problems, like moles, freckles and pigmented lesions.

Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser is also used for laser tattoo removal.It can provide dramatic lightening of most tattoo colors, but tends to be most effective on darker inks. When it comes to green and yellow tattoo ink, this laser may not be the most effective option.

Is Q-Switched ND YAG Laser Safe?

The Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser is a safe procedure, when administered by the expert providers at California Skin Institute. We go to great lengths to ensure that our laser skin treatment experts undergo extensive training with laser devices and can administer the latest treatment techniques safely and effectively.

How Long do Treatment Results Last?

The typical California Skin Institute patient will need several treatments with Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser to achieve optimal outcomes. The number of treatments will depend on the specific issue you are looking to address and the size of the treatment area.

For example, treatment of hyperpigmentation issues, like dark spots caused by sun damage, will typically need fewer sessions than tattoo removal.

What to Expect During Treatment?

When you visit one of our practices for treatment with the Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser, your California Skin Institute provider will first make a detailed assessment of your skin concerns, to ensure that this laser is the best skin treatment option in your situation.

Once the treatment begins, your provider will numb the area with a topical cream or may use a local anesthetic to further reduce discomfort. You will also be provided with protective eyewear.

Your California Skin Institute provider will guide the laser across the treatment area, and deliver powerful bursts of energy to break down the pigment. Some discomfort is common during this stage, as the laser will cause micro-damage in the skin. However, most patients handle this procedure very well, and our providers work diligently to ensure maximum comfort.

Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser Side Effects

After the procedure, you may notice redness and swelling in the treatment area. Some patients may also experience very mild bleeding at the treatment site.

Aloe vera may be used on the skin after treatment, to soothe any discomfort. It is also important to cover up the area with gauze, to help the skin heal faster.

Over the coming days, you may notice some crusting at the treatment site, as the skin begins to heal. To reduce the chances of scarring, it is vital to let the scab heal on its own, without attempting to remove it.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of nd yag tattoo removal. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

To see if the Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser is the best treatment option for you, please contact one of the California Skin Institute locations, or find a location near you and request a consultation!

Disclaimer

Treatment results will vary, talk to a practitioner to see if this treatment or procedure is right for you.

Conditions treated by Q-Switched Nd:Yag Laser

What is a laser?

The acronym ‘LASER’ stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. A laser works by emitting a wavelength of high energy light, which when focused on a certain skin condition creates heat and destroys diseased cells. Wavelength is measured in nanometres (nm).

Various kinds of lasers are available; they are differentiated by the medium that produces the laser beam. Each of the different types of lasers has a specific range of utility, depending on its wavelength and penetration.

What is neodymium YAG laser?

• Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet) is a crystal that is used as a laser medium for solid-state lasers.
• The triply ionised neodymium [Nd(III)] dopant (i.e. a substance added in minute amounts to another pure substance to alter its conductivity), typically replaces a small fraction of the yttrium ions in the host crystal structure, since the two ions are of similar size.
• The neodymium ion provides the laser activity in the crystal.
• Nd:YAG laser has a wavelength of nm and has the capability to reach deeper layers of skin tissue than other types of lasers.
• In Q-switched mode, Nd:YAG produces 2 wavelengths, one in the infrared range ( nm) and the second beam of 532 nm wavelength which is useful for superficial skin lesions. Q-switching refers to the technique of making the laser produce a high-intensity beam in very short pulses

How does neodymium YAG laser work?

Lasers work by emitting a wavelength of high energy light, which when focused on a certain skin condition will create heat and destroy diseased cells.

What is neodymium YAG laser used for?

The following skin disorders can be treated with Nd:YAG laser beams.

Vascular lesions

• Spider and thread veins in the face (cheek, temporal region, nasal dorsum, forehead) and legs.
• Vascular birthmark (capillary vascular malformation)
• Varicose veins
• Facial veins (telangiectasia)
• Haemangioma (a vascular tumour)

The laser light pulses target red pigment (haemoglobin). Typical settings employed for the treatment of facial veins include a 50 milliseconds pulse duration, and fluence (ie output energy) of 150¬250 J/cm2 (measured in Joules per centimetre squared).

Pigmented lesions

• Nd:YAG laser can be used to remove brown age spots (solar lentigines), freckles, naevus of Ota, naevus of Ito, lumbosacral melanocytosis, Hori naevus, and café-au-lait-macules.

Light pulses target melanin at variable depth on or in the skin.

Hair removal

• Nd:YAG laser may be used for hair removal in any location including underarms, bikini line, face, neck, back, chest and legs.
• Nd:YAG laser is generally ineffective for light-coloured (blonde/grey) hair, but effective for treating dark (brown/black) hair in patients of Fitzpatrick types I to III, and perhaps light-coloured type IV skin.
• Extreme caution is recommended in tanned or darker-skinned patients, as the laser can also destroy melanin, resulting in white patches of skin (leukoderma).

The longer-pulse (millisecond) -nm Nd:YAG laser system has been shown to be more effective in safely removing hair than has the Q-switched (nanosecond) Nd:YAG system.

Light pulses target the hair follicle, which causes the hair to fall out and minimises further growth. Typical settings employed include pulse durations of 2 to 20 milliseconds and fluences of 10¬40 J/cm2.

Tatoo removal

• Blue, grey and black tattoos can be removed with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser ( nm wavelength).
• The colour of the tattoo and the depth of the pigment influence the duration and the outcome of the laser treatment.
• Laser treatment involves the selective destruction of ink molecules that are then absorbed by macrophages and eliminated.

Typical settings are pulse duration: 10 nanoseconds, output energy: 300¬500Mj.

Onychomycosis

• Onychomycosis is a common nail disorder caused by fungal pathogens.
• Several laser devices have been granted FDA marketing approval for the treatment of onychomycosis.
• The first two lasers that were sanctioned by the FDA for the treatment of onychomycosis (PinPointe™ FootLaser™ [Cynosure, Massachusetts, USA ] and Cutera GenesisPlus™ [Cutera, California, USA]) are both flashlamp-pumped short-pulse Nd:YAG nm lasers.
• These lasers emit 100– -microsecond pulses with an energy fluence of 25.5 J/cm2 for a 1 mm spot size.

Other uses of neodymium YAG laser

Nd:YAG lasers have also be used to improve wrinkles in photo-aged skin.

What does the laser procedure involve?

It is important that the correct diagnosis has been made by the clinician prior to treatment, particularly when pigmented lesions are targeted, to avoid mistreatment of skin cancer such as melanoma.

• The patient must wear eye protection (an opaque covering or goggles) throughout the treatment session.
• Treatment consists of placing a handpiece against the surface of the skin and activating the laser. Many patients describe each pulse feeling like the snapping of a rubber band against the skin.
• A topical anaesthetic may be applied to the area but is not usually necessary.
• Skin surface cooling is applied during all hair removal procedures. Some lasers have built-in cooling devices.
• Immediately following treatment, an ice pack may be applied to soothe the treated area.
• Care should be taken in the first few days following treatment to avoid scrubbing the area, and/or use of abrasive skin cleansers.
• A bandage or patch may help to prevent abrasion of the treated area.
• During the course of treatment, patients should protect the area from sun exposure to reduce the risk of postinflammatory pigmentation.

Are there any side effects from neodymium YAG laser treatment?

Side effects from Nd:YAG laser treatment are usually minor and may include:

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• Pain during treatment (reduced by contact cooling and if necessary, topical anaesthetic)
• Redness, swelling and itching immediately after the procedure that may last a few days after treatment
• Rarely, skin pigment may absorb too much light energy and blistering can occur (this settles by itself)
• Changes in skin pigmentation. Sometimes the pigment cells (melanocytes) can be damaged, leaving darker (hyperpigmentation) or paler (hypopigmentation) patches of skin. Generally, cosmetic lasers will work better on people with lighter rather than darker skin tones
• Bruising affects up to 10% of patients. It usually fades on its own
• Bacterial infection.

How many laser treatments can I expect?

Vascular lesions

• Treatment time depends on the form, size and location of the lesions as well as the skin type.
• Small red vessels can usually be removed in only 1 to 3 sessions.
• Several sessions may be necessary to remove bigger veins and spider veins.

Hair removal

• In general, patients have 2 to 6 treatments, approximately every 4 to 6 weeks.
• Patients with darker skin types may require more treatments.

Tattoo removal

• The colour of the tattoo and the depth of the pigment influence the duration and the outcome of the laser treatment for tattoo removal.
• Multiple sessions (5 to 20 sessions) spaced at least 7 weeks apart may be required to attain favourable results.

Onychomycosis