Areola PMU removal down to clear skin: a case study
Case study: red areola tattoos removed with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser: inversion to black at 532 nm, then 1064 nm, 8 sessions and clear skin, no scars.
This was followed by a series of sessions treating the darkened pigment at the 1064 nm wavelength with the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.
It took 8 sessions, with intervals of 6–8 weeks at the initial stage and up to 4–6 months between the final procedures, and as a result the skin was completely cleared of the black pigment.
The condition of the tattoo at the final session is in the photo on the right!
Minor remnants of the yellow-orange pigment that was originally used for the tattoo are visible.
With this case I want to show that complete removal of poor-quality areola PMU is possible!
At the same time, you need to take into account the likelihood of paradoxical darkening of red or flesh-coloured pigments and warn the patient about it.
With proper laser tattoo removal, there is no skin injury and no scarring!
Frequently asked questions
Can red tattoo ink turn black under a laser?
Yes. In this case the red areola pigment inverted to black after the first test pulses at 532 nm, so the likelihood of paradoxical darkening of red or flesh-coloured pigments should be discussed with the patient beforehand.
How many sessions did the areola PMU removal take?
8 sessions with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, with intervals of 6–8 weeks at the initial stage and up to 4–6 months between the final procedures. After the final treatment the skin continues to clear for another 4–6 months.
