Tattoo fading using Nd: YAG ns laser pulses by water cavitation bubbles and jet formation: (case study)

Abstract

Because it is difficult to totally remove ink particles trapped in the skin, tattoo removal-especially for deeply and densely pigmented types-remains a substantial issue. This frequently leads to scarring, persistent pigmentation, or an incomplete removal. Significant promise in resolving this problem since high-peak power pulsed Nd: YAG lasers can efficiently target ink particles even in deeper skin layers, they have shown. The purpose of this study is to assess how well the Nd: YAG laser uses tissue photodisruption to remove deeply embedded tattoo ink. High intensity Nd: YAG lasers provide a very efficient way to remove tattoos by dissolving ink particles with the least amount of harm to surrounding tissue. Two sessions of Q-switched Nd: YAG (1064 nm) laser treatment was performed on a 36-year-old woman who had a very deep black tattoo on her arm. When the tattooed area was treated with a laser beam with a 6-mm spot size and 5 J/cm² fluence. After two months, the process was repeated, and the last evaluation was carried out one month after the second therapy. For histologic research objectives, one local white rabbit was also included in this investigation. Under general anesthesia, the rabbit was injected with tattoos of black pigment and given a single session. Black ink significantly lightened without leaving any scars and a crust formed right after. The spectroscopic properties of black tattoo ink were examined. Following laser exposure, there was a noticeable decrease in the appearance of the ink without any indication of inflammation or cell growth. Within ten days, the skin's texture improved and the tattoo was 85% cleared after two laser sessions without blistering or changes in texture. Black ink granules were efficiently broken down by laser-induced cavitation, creating structures resembling bubbles. Ink fragments were phagocytized and distributed throughout the layers of the skin, whereas histological examination of treated black tattooed rabbit skin revealed a notable decrease in ink particle size without inflammatory reactions. albeit there was no injury to the epidermis, the 1064 nm Nd: YAG laser produced deep vacuoles and selective absorption by black ink, albeit localized inflammatory reactions were noted. The 1064 nm Q-switched Nd: YAG laser, operating at 6ns, demonstrated safety and effectiveness for deep tattoo removal. It achieved 85% clearance after two sessions, without inducing pigmentation changes.

Keywords: Fluence; Laser cavitation bubbles; Neodymium laser; Pigment; Q-switched laser; Tattoo.