Medical Laser & Aesthetics

Tattoo removal: what is the difference between a picosecond laser and a Q-Switch?
The fundamental difference is pulse duration – the picosecond has a much shorter pulse duration, enabling the delivery of high levels of energy in a very short time- one trillionth of a second. The main tissue effect is a micro explosion of the pigment, which renders the pigment particles small enough to be promptly cleared. This makes tattoo removal more efficient, thus requiring less treatment sessions.

Another advantage of the picolaser is that it does not generate heat during the tattoo removal process, as the Q-Switch laser does. The Q-Switched laser works on a photothermal way, the picosecond laser disrupts pigment using a photoacoustic effect. This makes the picosecond laser safer and less likely to induce post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or paradoxical darkening.

Finally, picosecond lasers break pigment more efficiently and render smaller pigment particles which are easier to eliminate. Picosecond lasers lead to faster tattoo clearance, less heat-induced injury and complications, and are more efficient in removing resistant ink.

The Fotona Starwalker PQX or PIO Pro are currently MLA’s laser of choice for efficient and safer tattoo removal. Both can be used safely in patients of skin of color.

The tattoo below took 4 sessions.

What is saline tattoo removal?

Saline tattoo removal is a non-laser technique that uses hypertonic saline placed into the tattoo to draw the tattoo pigment upwards outside the skin. The tattoo is microneedled and hypertonic saline is applied to the skin. Fluid moves upward to the skin due to the abundant salt contained in hypertonic saline. Immediately after the procedure your skin will be red, As this happens the pigment is washed onto the superficial skin resulting in a scab which will fall off.
The results are subtle, but the risk of complications is decreased after a saline tattoo removal session. The saline wash removes superficial iron and titanium oxides, lowering the risk of pigment color changes with subsequent laser treatment.

Is facial aging making you look old and tired, but you don’t want filler?

Regenerative Medicine is gaining popularity – people want “natural” treatments with low downtimes, but good results. If the idea of putting filler in your face does not appeal to you, we have a more natural and durable option: Sculptra.

Sculptra is a biostimulator: a substance made of naturally occurring components that stimulates your own collagen production, gradually compensating for your volume loss. It also improves your skin quality and tightens the skin. In contrast with fillers, Sculptra plays well with other treatments, such as laser or microneedling: it synergistically supplements the laser treatment, intensifying the tightening effect, improving skin texture, volume and tightness.
Sculptra is mixed with local anesthetics, so the infiltration is not painful. The changes it induces occur gradually, so others will not notice the changes immediately. They happen gradually over the following months; the effects last for at least 2 years.

Most appropriate timing is laser (Fotona 5D) followed with Sculptra 2 weeks later.