Tattoo removal with a CO2 laser: two incompatible things
Why CO2 lasers must not be used for tattoo or PMU removal: 10,600 nm targets water, not pigment, vaporising tissue and leaving burns and scars.
I once discovered that some medical clinics with a large fleet of equipment offer a dubious procedure.
Namely: PMU (permanent makeup) and tattoo removal with a CO2 laser.
The price list says "Laser removal" without any specifics. In the end, instead of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (the gold standard), a non-specific device is used!
I have worked with clients who came to me after removal sessions with a CO2 laser, and believe me... the consequences look terrible.
What is a CO2 laser? What is it used for?
This device goes by different names: carbon dioxide laser, CO2 laser, but the essence is the same. It has a wavelength of 10,600 nanometres and a fairly high efficiency.
In other words, this device has impressive energy and is designed for rejuvenation and scar resurfacing!
Why can't a CO2 laser be used for laser removal?
The distinctive feature of these devices is that they are not sensitive to whether ink is present in the skin or not! While an Nd:YAG laser "hits" only pigment particles, a CO2 laser targets water molecules.
The result is vaporisation of tissue and the formation of a burn surface. Of course, the pigment may "vaporise" together with the skin, but at what cost!
Result of traumatic tattoo removal with a CO2 laser
The result is severe burns. They need long healing and care, and there is also a high chance of a scar forming!
Remember: a CO2 laser is not designed for PMU or tattoo removal! You can injure a client by causing burns and scarring of the skin.
Before going to a removal session, I strongly recommend checking that the specialist is going to use the right laser. The quality of the work depends directly on it!
Below I have attached a short guide to help you understand the details of the laser removal procedure:
What it should be
- Q-switched Nd:YAG laser
- nanosecond pulse
- no trauma
- no healing required
What it should NOT be
- non-specific device
- aftercare needed
- skin trauma
- dressings
- long healing
Which device removes a tattoo?
Pick a device and fire a pulse at the pigment particles.
Pigment shatters only when the energy arrives faster than the particle's thermal relaxation time. Based on the article on four devices that cannot remove tattoos.
Frequently asked questions
Can a CO2 laser remove an eyebrow tattoo or other PMU?
A CO2 laser is not designed for PMU or tattoo removal. Its 10,600 nm wavelength targets water molecules, not pigment, so it vaporises tissue: the pigment may go with the skin, but the result is severe burns with a high chance of scarring.
Which laser should be used for tattoo and PMU removal instead of CO2?
A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, the gold standard, which hits only pigment particles. Before a removal session, check that the specialist is going to use the right laser.
