How does Picosecond Laser improve tattoo removal?
We use the latest and most advanced laser-removal devices. Using the different wavelengths, the various pigment colors are targeted. Traditional tattoo-removal lasers worked mostly with black or dark blue pigmented tattoos. With the different wavelengths and the picosecond lasers, we can now treat all the different colors in tattoos. The picosecond laser energy targets the tattoo ink as follows.
- 1064nm wavelength: The darker pigments like black and blue respond very well with this wavelength.
- 532nm wavelength: Red pigments respond to this wavelength.
- 585nm wavelength: Brown and yellow pigments respond to this wavelength
- 650nm wavelength: Green pigments respond to this wavelength
The picosecond laser is used to treat primary tattoos, amateur tattoos, dark ink tattoos, tattoos failed to respond to other lasers and partially treated tattoos.
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Treatment of Porokeratosis
with the Picosecond Laser
Porokeratosis is a rare hereditary keratodermatoosis which results in ring-like lesions with more pronounced hyperpigmentation at the periphery and some degree of atrophy of the skin in the middle. It usually occurs in adulthood and more commonly in men. These lesions worsen slowly and spontaneous recovery is rare and slow.
Treatment with the picosecond laser over four to five treatments will give a mild purpura-like response and excellent improvement in the appearance of the lesions.
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Nevus of Ota
Mole palate fuscocaeruleus. It is more common in females and has two peaks: infance and in adolescence.
4 to 6 treatments with the picosecond laser gives a purpural response after each treatment with gradual but defined improvement in the skin color.
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Pigmentary Moles
These are often familial and appear after age of two years: they affect every part of the body.
The lesions are slightly raised macules although sometimes they may be pedicled or papillomatous. The surface is smooth but hair may grow out of these moles. Although solitary moles may be seen, they are much more commonly multiple.
The color of these lesions can be brown, blue-black or black. Some even tend to be non-pigmented (skin-colored).
Histopathologically, these are divided into borderline nevi, mixed nevi and intradermal nevi.
Treatment with the picosecond laser is administered using the 1064nm wavelength: two to three treatments may be needed although a dramatic improvement is seen even after the first treatment.
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Café au Lait(“Coffee Spot”)
These flat, light brown, uniform pigmented spots or patches are often also called milk coffee spots. They may be a sign of neurofibromatosis and other congenital melanotic conditions. They usually appear in the first three years of life but growth may be seen at any age.
4 to 6 treatments with the picosecond laser gives a purpural response after each treatment with gradual but defined improvement in the skin color.
Treatment with the picosecond laser is administered with the 532nm wavelength and sometimes the 1064nm wavelength. Between four and six treatments are usually required every 30 – 35 days.
Brown-green nevus
Brown-green nevus is a congenital non-hereditary skin pigmentation which occurs often over the zygoma (cheek bone), therefore acquiring the moniker “zygomatic mottle”. The pigment is present in the dermal layer. It occurs more commonly in women between the ages of 16 and 40 years, often with patients having a positive family history.
Clinically, gray to black spots are seen, mostly over the zygoma with the lesions being 1 – 5 mm in diameter. Patients do not present with any other symptoms.
4 to 6 treatments with the picosecond laser using the 1064nm wavelength gives a purpural response after each treatment with gradual but defined improvement in the skin color. The appearance after the first treatment may look like there is subcutaneous bruising which is a good response to the treatment.
Chloasma (Melasma)
Chloasma (or melasma) is often called “liver spots”, pregnancy spots, or butterfly spots: yellowish-brown pigmentation is seen on the face with a butteryfly-type distribution on the cheeks (zygoma). Women are more often affected and associated with high estrogen levels in the blood. Because of this, this condition is seen during pregnancy, when taking oral contraceptives. Melasma is very susceptible to sun exposure or if local inflammation is induced (trauma, sun exposure, irritation, aggressive peels or aggressive lasers which generate heat).
Traditional treatments with intense pulsed light (IPL) give unpredictable results because IPL treatments generate local heat at the site of the treatments. Similarly, irritation caused by chemical peels can actually make melasma worse.
Traditional treatments with intense pulsed light (IPL) give unpredictable results because IPL treatments generate local heat at the site of the treatments. Similarly, irritation caused by chemical peels can actually make melasma worse.
Using a combination of treatment parameters with the 1064nm wavelength and different delivery modes (carbon peel, double mode, etc), 4 to 6 treatments with the picosecond laser give good results. However, further maintenance treatments together with the use of appropriate topical pigment modulators is necessary. This condition requires great care and expertise on the part of the surgeon but yields very satisfying results.
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Freckles
Freckles appear in childhood on the forehead, nose, cheek and can affect the neck, shoulder and back of the hand. Freckles in childhood are considered to be attractive. They worsen with sun exposure.
With age, many of these coalesce leading to a less attractive appearance and can sometimes give a diffuse hyperpigmentation.
Using a single mode treatment parameter with the 1064nm wavelength, four to five treatments give an excellent result. Freckles anywhere on the body can safely be treated with the picosecond laser.
Seborrheic Keratosis (age-related plaques)
These rough moderately raised, sometimes rough plaques of pigmentation are usually seen with increasing age and may be found on the face, the back, neck, chest and upper limbs. They begin to appear after the age of 35 years and can increase dramatically in some families with advancing age.
Traditional treatments with intense pulsed light (IPL) give unpredictable results because IPL treatments generate local heat at the site of the treatments. Similarly, irritation caused by chemical peels can actually make melasma worse.
Using a combination of treatment parameters with the 1064nm wavelength and 532nm wavelength yields nice results after two to three treatments. Over time, new lesions may appear, of course and require further treatments.
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