Tattoo Removal Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real CLT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Tattoo Removal Procedures flashcards as text
Picosecond lasers differ from Q-switched nanosecond lasers in tattoo removal primarily because they:
Answer: Deliver energy in shorter pulses for a greater photomechanical effect
Picosecond lasers fire in trillionths-of-a-second pulses, creating a more efficient photomechanical shockwave that shatters ink into finer particles with potentially fewer sessions and less collateral thermal damage.
Which of the following is an ABSOLUTE contraindication for laser tattoo removal?
Answer: Active bacterial skin infection overlying the tattooed area
An active infection in the treatment zone is a contraindication because laser energy would disrupt the skin barrier, risk spreading pathogens, and impair healing.
The clinical endpoint indicating adequate treatment during a tattoo removal session is:
Answer: Immediate whitening (frosting) of the treated area
Immediate whitening or frosting of the treated area indicates that sufficient energy was delivered to cause the photomechanical effect within the dermis and is the standard treatment endpoint.
Which aftercare instruction is MOST important immediately following laser tattoo removal?
Answer: Apply antibiotic ointment and keep the area clean and moist
Applying antibiotic ointment and keeping the treated area moist promotes optimal wound healing, prevents infection, and minimizes the risk of scarring.
In the context of laser tattoo removal, 'selective photothermolysis' means:
Answer: The laser selectively destroys tattoo ink while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue
Selective photothermolysis means the chosen wavelength is preferentially absorbed by tattoo ink (the target chromophore) while largely sparing adjacent tissue, reducing collateral damage.
When treating darker Fitzpatrick skin types (IV–VI) for tattoo removal, which parameter adjustment is recommended?
Answer: Use lower fluences and extend intervals between sessions
Lower fluences reduce the risk of epidermal melanocyte damage and PIH in darker skin types, while longer intervals allow complete healing and repigmentation before the next treatment.
Which ink colors are generally LEAST responsive to treatment with the Q-switched Nd:YAG 1064nm laser?
Answer: Yellow, green, and light blue
Yellow, green, and light blue inks poorly absorb the 1064nm infrared wavelength, requiring alternative wavelengths such as 532nm, 694nm (ruby), or 755nm (alexandrite) for effective removal.