Fotona’s advanced laser technology makes ink removal safer, faster and more effective—even for complex, multicoloured tattoos
As tattoos become increasingly popular, so does the desire to remove them and to reclaim one’s skin. A major driver of this trend is innovation in laser technology. What once required numerous painful, often ineffective sessions, can now be addressed more comfortably and without fear of scarring. The word ‘permanent’ is losing its hold on tattoos.
Tattoos have become a mainstream form of self-expression, but not all designs age well. Whether it is erasing the name of a former lover or moving on from a tribal tattoo that no longer reflects your personality, many are opting for a clean slate. Celebrities like Pharrell Williams, Mark Wahlberg and Pete Davidson have openly talked about removing their tattoos, contributing to the growing trend.
Important: Before Tattoo Removal
The first step is finding a trustworthy provider with a qualified and highly skilled team that works with the latest technology. Pigment-specific Q-switched and picosecond lasers are considered to be the most effective devices for tattoo removal.
How Laser Tattoo Removal Works
Fotona’s Q-switched and picosecond lasers use ultra-short bursts of light energy that penetrate the skin without damaging the top layers. These pulses are then absorbed by the ink pigments, breaking them up into smaller particles, which are then naturally removed by the body’s own immune system. This process is effective across a broad spectrum of ink colours and skin types, particularly when using advanced lasers with multiple wavelengths that are specially designed for treating multicoloured tattoos.
What Does It Feel Like?
Pain varies depending on the part of the body where the tattoo is located and on the individual’s sensitivity. Many describe the sensation as feeling like a rubber band snapping against the skin. The discomfort is generally tolerable and topical anesthetics can be applied to minimise the pain. After the session, the treated area may feel swollen and tender in the following days. It’s important to follow aftercare instructions to ensure proper healing and reduce the risk of side effects.
Number of Treatments: What to Expect
To determine the number of treatments needed to successfully remove a tattoo, a prediction tool like the Kirby-Desai scale can be used for an approximate estimation. It considers the size of the tattoo as well as its location, depth and colour. Amateur tattoos are the easiest to remove, whereas professional ones may require more treatment sessions. Visible fading usually begins within weeks of the first session, but full removal can take several months. Patience is key, as the body needs time to process and eliminate the fragmented ink particles.
On average, a tattoo may require between 6 to 12 sessions, spaced about 6 to 12 weeks apart. However, the FracTAT® method, available with Fotona systems, can reduce the number of required sessions by up to 40% compared to standard estimates made according to the Kirby-Desai scale.
Fotona FracTAT® Tattoo Removal
FracTAT® is a unique, patented two-step process that begins with a fractional laser pass to create micro holes in the skin. A full-beam treatment then targets the pigment. As the top ink layer breaks up, gases form and escape through the micro holes, reducing the “frosting” effect and allowing multiple lasers passes across the tattoo, thus increasing the clearance efficacy. The FracTAT® procedure shortens the treatment time, reduces the number of sessions required to perform the complete treatment and even improves healing and sustains skin quality. FracTAT® tattoo removal is available with Fotona laser systems such as the StarWalker® MaQX Pro and StarWalker® PICO Pro.
Colour Concerns: Can All Inks Be Removed?
One of the most significant advancements in laser technology is the ability to treat a wider range of ink colours. While older lasers struggle with green, blue or red pigments, Fotona’s StarWalker systems feature 4 different laser wavelengths that effectively target diverse pigment groups and in combination with advanced & precise laser handpieces, efficiently remove coloured ink without damaging the surrounding skin.
Safety and Results
Fotona StarWalker® lasers are FDA-approved and CE-marked, ensuring they meet high safety standards. Their precise energy delivery targets the tattoo pigments, sparing surrounding skin and minimising the chances of side effects.
Tattoo removal has never been safer or more effective. Whether for personal, aesthetic or professional reasons, Fotona’s StarWalker® technology offers a high-tech solution for a fresh start.
Read more at www.fotona.com
