Whether you have an established medical practice or are seeking to enter the field of aesthetics for the first time, there are a lot of factors to consider before making an informed purchase of tattoo removal laser equipment.
Equipment varies greatly based on features and capabilities. Some systems are perfect for treating a wide range of tattoos, and some systems are ideal for very specific tattoo inks.
This buying guide will examine the 6 basic concepts that shoppers should consider before they purchase a laser:
Together, the topics of this guide will help you navigate your options as you choose the right tattoo removal laser equipment for your practice.
Q-switched lasers work by sending light energy into the tattoo to shatter the tattoo ink. However, because different colors of tattoo ink absorb light differently, there are a variety of Q-switched lasers designed for treating different tattoo colors.
The most popular laser for tattoo removal is the Q-switched Nd: YAG laser because it produces two wavelengths of light energy (1064 nm and 532 nm) for the greatest versatility when treating ink colors.
The 1064 nm wavelength targets darker colors, such as black, blue, green, and violet, while the 532 nm wavelength targets brighter colors, such as red, orange, yellow, and pink.
Some shades of green and blue—such as lime green and turquoise—and some black inks have traditionally been resistant to treatment with the 1064 nm wavelength. For these rare colors (present in about 5–10% of tattoos), a third wavelength designed for treating resistant inks is useful. Q-switched ruby lasers, which produce a 694 nm wavelength, are a proven, trusted choice that is perfect for targeting resistant shades of ink.
Learn more about Q-switched lasers and why they’re the superior choice for removing unwanted tattoos in this Laser Buying Guide.