Tattoo Removal Procedures Flashcards

Which laser is considered the gold standard for removing black tattoo ink?

Answer: Q-switched Nd:YAG 1064nm

The Q-switched Nd:YAG 1064nm laser is the gold standard for black ink removal due to its high peak power and strong absorption by dark pigment.

What does the 'Q' in Q-switched lasers refer to?

Answer: Quality factor of the optical resonator

Q stands for Quality factor—the quality factor of the optical resonator that stores energy and releases it in ultrashort, high-peak-power pulses.

The Kirby-Desai scale is used primarily to predict:

Answer: The estimated number of treatment sessions for tattoo removal

The Kirby-Desai scale assigns numerical scores to six variables to estimate the number of laser sessions needed for complete tattoo removal.

Which tattoo ink color is MOST resistant to laser removal across common wavelengths?

Answer: Green

Green ink is among the hardest to remove because it is poorly absorbed by the most common laser wavelengths; the ruby 694nm or alexandrite 755nm are often required.

What is the recommended minimum interval between laser tattoo removal sessions?

Answer: 6–8 weeks

A 6–8 week interval allows macrophages to clear fragmented ink particles and the skin to fully heal, reducing the risk of scarring and pigmentary changes.

The immediate white frosting observed after Q-switched laser tattoo removal is caused by:

Answer: Rapid formation of gas bubbles (steam and CO2) in the dermis

Immediate whitening (frosting) results from vaporized water and CO2 forming gas bubbles in the dermis that scatter incident light, and serves as a clinical endpoint for treatment.

Why do amateur tattoos generally require fewer removal sessions than professional tattoos?

Answer: Amateur ink is deposited at inconsistent, shallower depths with lower density

Amateur tattoos have ink placed at uneven, often shallower depths with less pigment density, making laser fragmentation easier and requiring fewer sessions.