A tattoo whose features are erased, a drawing or phrase that brings regret but remains impregnated in the skin. There are many reasons why people decide to remove a tattoo. Despite requiring a longer process than painting, removal has gained more options for techniques and one of them is the Nd:YAG laser.
Tattoo removal using laser alone is already an evolution of methods such as dermabrasion or skin removal surgery, the latter of which are more likely to leave scars. The laser penetrates into the dermis, reaching the layer where the ink pigments are located, and the light wave “breaks” the particles.
In the specific case of Nd:YAG, which in translation into Portuguese means neodymium-doped aluminum yttrium crystal, it is a laser that removes black pigment and hot pigments, such as red. “The laser fragments the tattoo pigment without causing damage to the adjacent tissue, inducing inflammatory processes that in turn will absorb this pigment through phagocytosis”, says Giancarlo Pincelli, biomedical esthetician and CEO of Hell Tattoo.
The model is suitable for black skin, and is even used in laser hair removal studios. Many lasers are aggressive to those who have a higher concentration of melanin because they do not differentiate between what is hair and what is skin. A study on Nd:YAG laser tattoo removal in individuals with skin phototypes IV-VI (darker skin) was successful in removing pigment and reducing unwanted effects. In an article published in the Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences, the researchers point out that “the patient’s adherence to pre- and post-session care and an adequate interval between laser sessions are essential to avoid undesirable complications”.
Whichever method is chosen, the depigmentation process is not simple. The number of sessions required varies according to the size of the tattoo and the number of colors. Colored tattoos have more additives in the composition and are therefore more difficult to remove. Also, there needs to be breaks between sessions.
The CEO of Hell Tattoo states that the laser is a safe method when used with caution and by qualified professionals. “The professional has to have the necessary training to use equipment that is totally dependent on human action”, he says. “The device depends on a professional to operate it and configure energy dosages, according to the needs of each treatment”, he adds.
Finally, the biomedical points out that safety in use also depends on compliance with health regulations within each establishment that offers the service. “Equipment has to be registered with the regulatory bodies Anvisa and Inmetro”, he says.
In addition, the devices need to undergo periodic revisions. “To guarantee perfect functioning and stability, revisions have to be carried out every six months”, he recommends. Finally, clinics that perform tattoo removal need to obtain reports to be presented at times of health inspection.