Laser tattoo removal: laser principles and an updated guide for clinicians

• Published in: Lasers in medical science Vol. 37; no. 6; pp. 2581 - 2587
• Main Authors: Hernandez, Loren, Mohsin, Noreen, Frech, Fabio Stefano, Dreyfuss, Isabella, Vander Does, Ashley, Nouri, Keyvan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 01.08.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Alexandrite; Aluminum; Dentistry; Lasers; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neodymium; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Quantum Optics; Review Article; Ruby lasers; Tattoos; YAG lasers; Yttrium; Tattoo removal; Picosecond; Tattoo; Laser
• ISSN: 1435-604X; 0268-8921; 1435-604X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10103-022-03576-2

Tattoos have become ingrained in our society and have served varied purposes throughout human civilization. So long as tattoos have existed, there has been demand for their removal. Lasers are currently the modality of choice in the removal of tattoos, as they are more efficacious than previously used methods. The most common lasers are the 532 nm and 1064 nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers, the quality-switched 694 nm Ruby laser, and the quality-switched 755 nm alexandrite laser. However, picosecond lasers are rapidly gaining favor in tattoo removal. An in-depth understanding of laser principles and how they can be applied in the setting of tattoo removal is key. Also, a greater understanding of the origin of and colors within a tattoo, the presence of tattoo layering, and a patient’s Fitzpatrick skin type increase the odds of satisfactory results. This review provides dermatologists with a comprehensive summary on laser fundamentals, an overview on treatment principles, and recent developments in the field of laser tattoo removal.