With regard to the formation of blisters due to destroyed cell structures around the pigments, the subjects who complained most were those who had been treated with the nanosecond laser. Shorter light pulses obviously ensure a gentler treatment, because here the mentions were lower – and significantly so.
The same applies to bleeding, which occurred in more than half of the test subjects with nanosecond laser treatment. On the other hand, those who chose tattoo removal with a picosecond laser complained of corresponding problems only in less than a third of cases. The test persons also mentioned the formation of crusts, which is more frequently the case with the nanosecond laser. Itching was also described more frequently and more strongly, which is also an advantage for the picosecond laser.
This impression is also supported when looking at the pain sensation: the nanosecond laser causes more problems than the picosecond laser, although of course local anesthesia is always possible.
Only in the case of tattoo removal with the nanosecond laser did wound infections and hypopigmentation occur. Likewise, the whitening of the skin around the treated area is exclusive to the nanosecond laser. If the choice falls on a picosecond device, this does not happen. The reason lies in the destruction of melanin, which only occurs with one of the two lasers.
Which laser treatment shows fewer side effects?
Most side effects occur with nanosecond laser treatment. These include pain and burning, but also swelling of the skin, redness and the formation of crusts and blisters. The same applies to itching. In conclusion, a picosecond laser can be described as beneficial and enables a much gentler approach.
However, it should be noted that the study only concerns the side effects. Other studies have also shown that picosecond lasers require far fewer sessions to achieve complete tattoo removal.
