Assessing the efficacy of a 100 ps Nd:YAG laser for tattoo removal in a minipig model

Abstract Using a minipig model, we evaluated the efficacy of the 100 ps Nd:YAG laser in the removal of tattoo pigments, specifically blue, green, red, and yellow. We observed distinct pigment responses to 532/1064 nm wavelengths at various energy settings. Through a combination of clinical, spectroscopic, and histological methods, we found the 532 nm wavelength to be most effective in disrupting all colors, with notable results for green and yellow at 0.4 J/cm 2 and red at 0.72 J/cm 2 . The 1064 nm wavelength reduced pigment in yellow (1.51 J/cm 2 ), green (1.35 J/cm 2 ), and blue (1.11 J/cm 2 ) tattoos, but was surpassed by the 532 nm in efficiency. Our data underscores the crucial interplay between pigment traits and laser settings in tattoo removal. We advocate for tailored treatment strategies, integrating pigment hue and laser wavelength, to enhance removal outcomes.