How to remove permanent makeup with pico laser and effective number of treatments / risk and down...

Permanent makeup, which is said to be treated as a way to shorten the time to make up without worrying about falling off even if it gets wet with sweat or water, is said to gradually fade in color, but the color is completely faded. It doesn't disappear .

If you don't like the shape after the procedure, or if you want to change the shape due to a change in fashion and want to correct it, or if you want to remove it, you need to add a skin-colored dye on top of it, or perform surgical excision or laser removal . Of the several methods of removing permanent makeup, pico lasers are said to have less downtime than surgery and other lasers .

In addition, various colors are often used for permanent makeup dyes, and some colors do not fade with lasers other than pico lasers, but using pico lasers removes permanent makeup of almost all colors. It is possible to aim .

However, it may be necessary to perform multiple treatments, so please be aware of the recommended number of treatments, fees, risks and precautions, and check whether the removal of permanent makeup with a pico laser is suitable for you.

Features of permanent makeup, which is said to last 1 to 3 years

Permanent makeup is a procedure that injects dye under the skin to fix the color on the skin, similar to tattoos. Although tattoos are often placed on body parts, permanent makeup in cosmetology mainly injects dyes into the eyebrows, eyeliner, and lips.

Human skin is composed of the epidermis layer, dermis layer, and subcutaneous tissue in that order from the outside, and permanent makeup injects dye into the epidermis layer, which is the shallow layer of the skin . On the other hand, tattoos inject dye into the dermis layer, which is deeper than permanent makeup.

It is said that the dye injected into the dermis layer does not fade, but permanent makeup does. In the epidermis layer where the permanent makeup dye is injected, old epidermal cells are pushed up by new epidermal cells by turnover, which is the metabolism of the skin, and become keratinized and peel off, but in the dermis layer, skin like turnover Because it does not have a metabolic function, it remains in the skin.

When the epidermal cells on which the permanent makeup dye is fixed become old, they become keratinized by turnover and gradually peel off together with the dye, so it is said that they become thinner over 1 to 3 years . However, not all the dye colors fade in 1 to 3 years, and they remain light . If you want to remove the thin residual dye, you need to remove it by surgery, laser, permanent makeup removal cream, etc.

Characteristics of pico laser, which is a type of light, and the mechanism of material destruction of the target

Difference in wavelength between laser wavelength and light such as sunlight and fluorescent lamps

Laser light is a type of light such as sunlight and fluorescent lamps. Light has a wave-like property, and the length from peak to peak (valley to valley) of a wave is called a wavelength, and is expressed in units of nanometers (nm), which is one billionth of a meter. Sunlight and fluorescent lamps consist of various wavelengths, but lasers are light that is amplified by extracting one wavelength .

Laser light has the characteristic of being absorbed by target substances such as melanin pigments and permanent makeup dyes, which cause stains, and generating thermal energy and shock waves. The heat energy and shock waves generated by the target substance absorbing the laser light destroy the melanin pigments and permanent makeup dyes, which can be expected to be effective in removing skin problems such as age spots and permanent makeup .

The name of the laser beam is determined by the length of the extracted wavelength. For example, the laser light that extracts the wavelength of 694 nm is called "ruby laser", and the laser light that extracts the wavelength of 532 nm is called "KTP laser".

Pulse width that represents the length of time to irradiate the laser beam

There are two methods of irradiating laser light: continuous irradiation and pulse irradiation .

Continuous irradiation is a method of continuously irradiating laser light, which is used in industry when processing metal and in medicine as a scalpel to suppress bleeding. On the other hand, pulse irradiation is a method of irradiating laser light at intervals like pressing a button repeatedly, and most of them are used in cosmetic medicine .

The irradiation time of one shot when pulse irradiation is performed is called the pulse width, and is expressed in units such as milliseconds, microseconds, nanoseconds, and picoseconds.

Pulse width, the instantaneous power to exert against the shorter of the target material is shorter (peak power) is strongly, the force peak power is to destroy the melanin and art make-up of the dye is the cause of the strong enough to stain strongly Become.

Pico laser refers to a machine that can irradiate laser light in picoseconds, and in addition to pico lasers, there are Q-switched lasers that can irradiate in nanoseconds and long pulse lasers that can irradiate in microseconds or more.

In aesthetic medicine, if the pulse width is picoseconds and the wavelength is Alexandrite laser, the wavelength and pulse width can be known, such as "Pico alexandrite laser", and if the pulse width is nanoseconds and the wavelength is YAG laser, "Q switch YAG laser". It may also be called to.

Multiple pico laser machines have been developed, but the wavelengths that can be irradiated and the pulse widths that can be set differ depending on the machine. There is also a difference in whether or not it is certified by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

PicoSure

Picosure is a machine developed by Cynosure of the United States, and has been approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for its effectiveness in treating benign pigmented lesions (stains, etc.) and removing tattoos, including permanent makeup. .. (Approval number: 30200BZX00153000)

In addition, the US FDA (US Food and Drug Administration), which is the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan, has confirmed that it is effective in improving spots, wrinkles, acne scars, and removing tattoos including permanent makeup. (FDA Approval Number: K161222)

Picosure can be irradiated with three types of laser light wavelengths: KTP laser, alexandrite laser, and neodymium yag laser.

PicoWay

The Picoway is a machine manufactured and sold by Syneron Candela of the United States. It is equipped with a 532nm KTP laser and a 1064nm neodymium yag laser, and one of the features is the short pulse width that can be set. is.

A medical device approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (approval number: 230020BZX0270000) has been shown to be effective in removing tattoos, including treatment of age spots and permanent makeup . Furthermore, it has acquired the CE mark that can be displayed on products by satisfying the safety performance standards stipulated by EU (European Union) law, so safety is also safe.

enLIGT Ten

Enlighton is a machine developed by Cutera of the United States, and can irradiate a 532 nm KTP laser and a 1064 nm neodymium yag laser. It is a medical device approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and its safety is guaranteed . (Approval number: 22800BZX00138000)

Enlighton is a pico laser, but it has the feature that it can irradiate even with a pulse width of nanoseconds.

Discovery Pico

Discovery Pico is a series of pico laser machines manufactured and sold by Quanta of France.

There are two types, Discovery Pico and Discovery Pico Plus. Discovery Pico is equipped with a 532nm KTP laser and 1064nm neodymium yag laser, and Discovery Pico Plus is equipped with a 532nm KTP laser, 694nm ruby laser, and 1064nm neodymium yag laser. I am.

In addition, a handpiece (part that irradiates the laser) that can irradiate the 2940 nm Elpium Yag laser can be added as an option.

SPECTRA PICO

Spectrapico, a machine manufactured by Lutronic of South Korea, can irradiate four wavelengths: a 532nm KTP laser, a 595nm die laser, a 660nm red laser, and a 1064nm neodymium yag laser.

In addition, Spectrapico can irradiate not only picoseconds but also nanosecond pulse widths .

PICOCARE

Pico Care is a pico laser machine manufactured and sold by WONTECH of South Korea. It is equipped with a 532nm KTP laser, a 660nm red laser, and a 1064nm neodymium yag laser.

It is a machine approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare as a medical device and has excellent safety . (Approval number: 30100BZX00216000) It is also approved by the US FDA, which is the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan. (FDA Approval Number: K181272)

Two types of target substance destruction methods

Laser light destroys target substances such as melanin and permanent makeup dyes that cause blemishes. There are two ways a laser can destroy a target substance .

A method of destroying a target substance with heat, which is called photothermal action

Thermal energy is generated when the laser light is absorbed by the molecules of melanin and permanent makeup dyes. When the laser beam continues to irradiate the heat energy, it escapes from the molecule to the surrounding tissues and the temperature inside the molecule does not rise.

However, if the irradiation time of the laser beam is short, the heat energy does not escape to the surrounding tissues and stays in the molecules and becomes hot, destroying the molecules . This is called photothermal action .

The irradiation time in which heat energy escapes to surrounding tissues is called the heat relaxation time, and the heat relaxation time differs depending on the substance such as melanin and permanent makeup dye.

In aesthetic medicine, photothermal action is a method of destroying the target substance possessed by both pico lasers and non-pico lasers .

A method of destroying a target substance with a shock wave called photoacoustic effect

The heat energy generated when the laser light is absorbed by the target substance causes thermal expansion of the molecules of the target substance.

The shock wave (stress) at the time of thermal expansion escapes from the molecule to the surrounding tissue if the laser beam continues to be irradiated, but if the laser beam irradiation time is short , the stress is trapped in the molecule and destroys the molecule . .. This is called photoacoustic effect .

The irradiation time during which stress escapes to the surrounding tissue is called the stress relaxation time, and the stress relaxation time differs depending on the substance as well as the heat relaxation time.

Substances such as melanin and permanent makeup dyes, which are targeted in aesthetic medicine, have a unit of stress relaxation time of picoseconds, and it is said that lasers other than picolasers cannot destroy the target substance by photoacoustic action. I am.

Permanent makeup removal mechanism using pico laser

When removing permanent makeup using a pico laser, the photothermal and photoacoustic effects destroy the permanent makeup dye molecules . Molecules destroyed by photoacoustic effects are smaller than the size of molecules destroyed by photoacoustic effects. The left side of the figure below is the destruction of dye molecules by photoacoustic action, and the right side is the destruction of dye molecules by photoacoustic action.

In addition, the photoacoustic effect causes heat energy to reach the surrounding tissues to some extent and damages the surrounding tissues, but the photoacoustic effect is said to cause less damage to the surrounding tissues than the photoacoustic effect .

In pico lasers, the photoacoustic effect has a greater effect on the dye molecules than the photoacoustic effect, so in addition to making the dye molecules in many permanent makeup smaller, compared to the treatment with other lasers. It is said to have less damage to surrounding tissues and shorter downtime .

Permanent makeup dyes destroyed using a pico laser are taken up and digested by macrophages, which are responsible for cleaning up unwanted substances in the body such as dead cells and bacteria, or become too small and visible. It is said that the color fades when it disappears .

Dyes used in permanent makeup come in a variety of colors, including black, brown, and orange, and each color has a different wavelength of laser light that is easily absorbed. It is said that the higher the wavelength absorption rate, the stronger the ability to destroy the dye .

However, there is clinical data that when a laser other than the pico laser is used, some colors do not fade even when irradiated with laser light of a wavelength with a high absorption rate. There is clinical data that the fading effect can be expected for all colors when using a pico laser, but the mechanism is unknown why all colors do not fade when using a laser other than pico laser. Hmm.

In the case of permanent makeup, not only one color such as black or brown is used, but in most cases, dyes of various colors are mixed and injected, and just because it looks black, it is black. It does not irradiate wavelengths with high absorption rate.

In addition to the black dye, the wavelength to be irradiated is determined by the doctor's examination depending on whether there is a mixed color dye or the content of the metal component . It is said that it is more difficult to select the wavelength of the laser light to irradiate than tattoo removal, which often uses a single color dye.

Those who are suitable for removing permanent makeup from pico laser

• Those who want to gradually erase permanent makeup
• Those who do not want to leave an incision mark

Frequency and frequency of permanent makeup removal using pico laser

Multiple treatments are recommended to remove permanent makeup with a pico laser.

After laser irradiation, the skin becomes inflamed, so it is recommended to wait at least one month before the next treatment until the inflammation subsides and the color of permanent makeup fades.

It is said that the recommended number of times will change depending on the part such as eyebrows, eyeliner, lips, the color and type of dye injected, and the number of mixed dyes. If the dye is light or the color used is small, the color may fade with one treatment, but if the dye is dark or the color used is large, 10 or more treatments are required. There is also a possibility.

If you want to check the recommended number of times during counseling or medical examination, it is one of the factors to judge the recommended number of times if you check what kind of dye was used for permanent makeup .

Pain and downtime of permanent makeup removal with pico laser

Permanent makeup removal pain

Removing permanent makeup with a pico laser is said to be more painful than applying permanent makeup.

As a general rule, anesthesia such as anesthesia cream, laughing anesthesia, and local anesthesia is used to reduce pain, but if desired, treatment without anesthesia is possible.

Permanent makeup removal downtime

After irradiating with a pico laser, you may feel pain for 2 to 3 days, and you may have redness and swelling for 1 to 2 weeks .

There is also the possibility of scabs, but in most cases it is said that they will come off naturally in about two weeks .

Makeup is possible about a week after the treatment, but it is recommended that you do not irritate the treatment site. For example, when performing eyebrow treatment, powder type eyebrow is recommended instead of pencil type eyebrow.

Risks and side effects of removing permanent makeup using pico laser

Scarring with uneven scars

In rare cases, uneven scars may occur after the color of permanent makeup has faded, but it is said that scarring is less likely than removal of permanent makeup by laser treatment or surgery other than pico laser .

However, if the scar is inflamed and scarred when you apply permanent makeup, the scar that was not noticeable due to the color of the permanent makeup may become noticeable due to the fading of the color.

If scarring occurs , improvement can be expected by performing treatments such as fractional laser and Kenacort injection .

Permanent makeup dye turns black

The mechanism is unknown, but it is a phenomenon in which the dye irradiated with laser light turns black. The eyebrows and eyeliner are darker than before the procedure, which is a risk and side effect of feeling unsuccessful .

It is said that after irradiation, the inflammation of the skin has subsided and then irradiation with a pico laser of a different wavelength makes it thinner, but blackening increases the number of treatments.

If you are worried about blackening, it is a good idea to have a pre-treatment counseling with your doctor to simulate possible symptoms after the procedure and how to deal with them.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that causes color to be deposited on the epidermal layer like spots

When permanent makeup dyes are exposed to pico laser light, the skin becomes inflamed and melanin is produced and deposited (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) , which can become spot-like .

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is said to improve in about six months to a year, but IPL treatment can be used to improve it quickly .

Plucking hair that has grown

In rare cases, eyebrows and eyelashes may come off when the permanent makeup of the eyebrows and eyeliner is removed with a pico laser.

However, even if the eyebrows and eyelashes come off , it is said that they will grow over time in most cases .

Precautions after performing permanent makeup removal with a pico laser

• Do not give irritation (rubbing, etc.) when washing your face
• Do not forcibly remove the scab
• Don't touch often
• Take proper measures against UV rays (sunburn measures)
• If your skin is dry, moisturize it well.
• Avoid exercise, sauna, and drinking to improve blood circulation

Those who cannot receive pico laser treatment for permanent makeup

• Pregnant / lactating
• Those with photosensitivity
• Those with keloid constitution
• Those who have gold thread

If you have a chronic illness, are uneasy about your physical condition, or are allergic to anesthesia, please consult a medical institution.

Flow of permanent makeup removal using pico laser

Permanent makeup removal price using pico laser

Permanent makeup removal using a pico laser costs 2,000 to 7,000 yen per 1 ㎠ (square centimeter) .

The larger the treatment area, the lower the price per ㎠. There are many medical institutions that set prices in a range of 5 ㎠ instead of 1 ㎠, such as 1 ㎠ to 5 ㎠ and 5 ㎠ to 10 ㎠. In addition, some medical institutions set fees based on the eyebrows, eyeliner, etc., rather than the size of the treatment area.

Many medical institutions charge an extra fee for the anesthesia used during the procedure, so please check with the medical institution in advance if you are concerned.

Permanent makeup removal methods other than pico laser

CO2 laser that evaporates the skin

The C02 laser (carbon dioxide laser) is a laser machine that generates heat energy by absorbing the wavelength of the laser light into the moisture existing under the skin. The generated heat energy evaporates (vaporizes) the skin tissue of the irradiated area, so remove the area with the permanent makeup dye by scraping off the entire epidermis .

Unlike the pico laser, the heat energy extends to the tissue around the irradiated area, so immediately after the procedure , redness and dents tend to occur not only in the area where the permanent makeup dye was applied, but also in the surrounding skin . Downtime is said to be about 1 to 3 months .

Permanent makeup removal cream that promotes turnover

There is a permanent makeup removal cream that contains ingredients that can be expected to promote turnover, which is the renewal of the skin.

It is said that it takes about half a year to a year to thin the permanent makeup dye using the removal cream, and it is necessary to continue to apply it patiently once or twice daily until the dye becomes thin.

In rare cases, there is a risk that redness will remain .

Surgical resection

There is a method of cutting the part with the dye of permanent makeup with a scalpel and suturing the incision part. After suturing, it tends to take a long time for the scar to settle , and there is a high possibility that the scar will remain, but it is possible to remove permanent makeup with a single treatment.

How to choose a medical institution to receive permanent makeup removal using a pico laser

When removing permanent makeup using a pico laser, carefully laser it, such as by performing a test irradiation to check how the permanent makeup dye changes with a small range of irradiation so as not to cause blackening or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Need to irradiate .

Permanent makeup dyes are often a mixture of various colors, and depending on the wavelength of irradiation, the effect of the treatment may not be obtained. If you are a medical institution that owns multiple types of pico laser machines, you can select the wavelength that you can expect the treatment effect from among many wavelengths.

In addition, if the method of removing permanent makeup is not limited to pico laser, but if you are a medical institution that has other treatment options , you can aim to remove permanent makeup by other methods when there is a risk of blackening. At the time of counseling and medical examination, if you are a doctor who can examine the condition of permanent makeup and explain the risks and side effects in advance, and can consult in advance what to do in case of emergency, you can receive the treatment with confidence.