What is Q-Switched ND:YAG Laser?

    This is a laser procedure wherein a beam of light is applied to the skin at a specific wavelength and is absorbed by colored pigments in the skin, including melanin and tattoo pigments.

    Q Switched Yag Laser is used for the removal of brown age spots on the face, chest, hands and arms, pigmented birthmarks, and tattoos. This laser also removes permanent tattooed makeup.

Is Q Switched Yag Laser safe?

    Q Switched Yag Laser is a safe and effective method of treating age spots, pigmented birthmarks and tattoos. It is performed by a physician skilled in the use of lasers.

What are the possible side effects from Q Switched Yag Laser treatment?

    Possible side effects include blistering and crusting after the treatment.

Is Q Switched Yag Laser painful?

    For laser treatment of tattoos, the skin is numbed with a local anesthetic. This ensures patient comfort during the treatment. Small age spots may not require a local anesthetic.

Are there any pre-treatment procedures?

    Our nurse or physician will consult with you and review the pre-treatment procedures. The skin being lasered must not be tanned. If the patient has a history of cold sores in the area to be treated, a prescription for an anti-viral medication will be given to you by the physician to be started the day before the laser procedure and taken for a few days afterwards. Patients who have had Accutane for acne may not have laser for at least six months (and possibly one year) after stopping Accutane.

How is Q Switched Yag Laser performed?

    After the patient has had the local anesthetic, the patient is placed in a comfortable, relaxed position. The Q Switched Yag Laser handpiece is applied to the skin to deliver the laser light. Dark glasses are worn to protect the patient’s eyes from the light.

How long is each treatment?

    The length of this treatment varies depending on the size of the area being treated. A few age spots may be lasered in a few minutes; a large tattoo may require 30 minutes or longer.

How many treatments will I need?

    Most age spots require only one treatment. Tattoos require several treatments, which would be determined by your dermatologist.

How will I look after each treatment?

    The treated skin becomes red immediately after the procedure. An antibiotic ointment will be applied to the area and a dressing applied. Some redness and crusting may last for 7 – 14 days.

How do I take care of my skin after the Q Switched Yag Laser treatment?

    Patients are asked to apply antibiotic ointment and a bandaid to the treated area for one to two weeks. It is important to protect all your skin from the sun using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day as well as sun protective clothing.

What is special about Harmony Xl Q-Switch Nd: Yag

    It uses two discrete wavelengths to treat a broad range of tattoo colors, including dark colors like black, blue and green with 1064-nm wavelength. Brighter colors like red, orange and yellow with 532-nm wavelength. Tattoo ink and natural pigmentation like melanin absorb short pulse duration/high peak energy Q-switched pulses so quickly that they create a photo-acoustic effect within the pigment clusters. This effect breaks down the ink into much smaller particles that can be more easily removed by the body’s natural filtering system.

Are tattoos completely removed with the Q Switched Yag Laser?

    Most tattoos are considerably improved, and many are completely removed. Some areas may show a “shadow” of the former tattoo, which gradually clears. Some tattoo pigment colors are more easily removed than others.

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