CLT Tattoo Removal Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which laser wavelength is BEST suited for targeting red tattoo ink?
- 1064nm Nd:YAG
- 755nm Alexandrite
- 532nm KTP (frequency-doubled Nd:YAG) (Correct answer)
- 694nm Ruby
Correct answer: 532nm KTP (frequency-doubled Nd:YAG)
Red ink absorbs green light (532nm) most effectively because complementary color absorption means the green wavelength is selectively taken up by red pigment.
Question 2: What is the PRIMARY mechanism by which Q-switched lasers fragment tattoo ink?
- Thermal vaporization of the dermis
- Photomechanical (photoacoustic) shock waves that shatter ink particles (Correct answer)
- Chemical photodegradation of pigment molecules
- Photocoagulation causing ink clumping
Correct answer: Photomechanical (photoacoustic) shock waves that shatter ink particles
Q-switched lasers deliver energy in nanosecond pulses that create photoacoustic shock waves, mechanically shattering ink particles into smaller fragments the immune system can clear.
Question 3: Paradoxical darkening after laser tattoo removal is MOST commonly associated with which ink color?
- Black
- Red
- White or flesh-toned (Correct answer)
- Dark blue
Correct answer: White or flesh-toned
White and flesh-toned inks containing titanium dioxide or iron oxides can oxidize upon laser exposure, turning dark or gray—a reaction called paradoxical darkening.
Question 4: Which Fitzpatrick skin type group carries the HIGHEST risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) following tattoo removal?
- Type I
- Type II
- Type III
- Types IV–VI (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Types IV–VI
Darker skin types (IV–VI) have more reactive melanocytes that respond strongly to laser-induced inflammation, significantly increasing PIH risk.
Question 5: Which factor in the Kirby-Desai scale most dramatically increases the predicted number of removal sessions?
- Tattoo location on the body
- Layering (cover-up tattoos) (Correct answer)
- Number of ink colors present
- Patient age at time of tattoo
Correct answer: Layering (cover-up tattoos)
Layering or cover-up tattoos stack multiple ink layers, exponentially increasing the total pigment load and number of sessions required for clearance.
Question 6: When treating a multi-color tattoo, which approach is generally recommended?
- Use a single high-fluence setting to address all colors at once
- Use a single wavelength per session targeting one color at a time
- Use multiple wavelengths in the same session to target different colors (Correct answer)
- Treat lighter colors before darker colors to prevent scattering
Correct answer: Use multiple wavelengths in the same session to target different colors
Using multiple wavelengths in a single session efficiently targets different ink colors simultaneously, reducing total treatment time without substantially increasing adverse effects.
Question 7: Pulse duration in Q-switched tattoo removal lasers is measured in which unit?
- Milliseconds (ms)
- Microseconds (µs)
- Nanoseconds (ns) or picoseconds (ps) (Correct answer)
- Seconds (s)
Correct answer: Nanoseconds (ns) or picoseconds (ps)
Q-switched lasers operate in the nanosecond range and newer picosecond systems deliver even shorter pulses, both essential for achieving the photomechanical effect needed for ink fragmentation.
CLT Tattoo Removal Procedures 2
Which laser wavelength is BEST suited for targeting red tattoo ink?