The first & only Picosecond Laser in Australia for tattoo removal, acne scarring & wrinkles.
Forget everything you know about tattoo-removal technology. PicoSure, the latest device from Cynosure, has revolutionised the tattoo-removal business. Where traditional lasers have often fallen short of providing optimum results, particularly in treating coloured inks, PicoSure uses cutting-edge technology to achieve unprecedented results and keep up with an ever- growing market.
It is the first and only laser to utilise picosecond technology in a commercial setting, and has been shown to shift dark, stubborn green inks as well as previously treated recalcitrant tattoos. In doing this, the PicoSure has rendered treatable those patients who previously would have struggled to achieve complete tattoo clearance.
“The innovative science behind PicoSure is constantly reflected in my daily clinical practice,” says US dermatologist and laser specialist Dr Emil Tanghetti. “With the picosecond technology, we can now clear green and blue ink in two to three treatments – before it was almost impossible to clear these tattoos completely. Also, for the other ink colours, we are typically seeing clearance in half the number of treatments as compared to the old Q-switched technology.”
An industry ground breaker, PicoSure harnesses picosecond technology – delivering light energy at picosecond pulses – to clear ink pigment from the skin. This transcends the effects of a typical photothermal reaction, and instead creates an intense photomechanical impact – patented PressureWave – in the skin. The PressureWave assists in greater disruption of the ink pigment with fewer treatments, less fluence and without injuring the surrounding tissue.
“The PicoSure produces energy in the shortest time interval that has ever been available on the commercial market,” Dr Tanghetti explains. “I have witnessed dramatic clearing of green and blue ink, and a significant reduction in the number of treatment sessions required to achieve tattoo clearance. Currently, patients who have red ink tattoos are not ideal candidates for this device. However, there will soon be an addition to the PicoSure system that will give us the ability to treat red ink as well.”
The PicoSure works at a nominal wavelength of 755 nanometres and comes with two handpieces for tattoo removal. The Zoom handpiece features an adjustable spot size of 0.1mm increments, from 2mm to 6mm, and the Fixed handpiece addresses 6mm, 8mm and 10mm spot sizes.
Revenue from tattoo removals has surged 440% in the past decade According to research recently released by IBISWorld, the tattoo removal industry is booming and expected to hit US$83.2 million in net worth over the next four years – keeping pace with the tattoo industry itself. In the past decade, the market has surged by 440 percent to an estimated $75.5 million.
In Australia, 22 percent of men and women, aged 20 to 29, have at least one tattoo, according to the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. Following this, 34 percent of tattoo-bearing Australians regret their decision, as reported in a 2013 McCrindle Research study, and one in seven of this group are contemplating removal.
Whether its for professional, romantic or purely personal reasons, tattoo removal can help improve self-image and restore confidence in people living with regret. For this reason, as Dr Tanghetti explains, patients can go to great lengths to find the most effective treatment for clearing the skin.
“The addition of the PicoSure has enhanced my tattoo-removal business, with patients literally travelling hundreds of miles to be treated with this device,” he says. “By and large, patients are very pleased with their tattoo treatments. This is particularly true for patients who experienced previous treatments with Q-switched devices. These patients remark how much more clearance they see with each PicoSure treatment compared with the Q-Switched lasers.”
PicoSure FDA approved for the treatment of wrinkles and acne scarring
By combining picosecond technology with the FOCUS Lens Array handpiece, Cynosure has created a system that delivers 20 times the power of the original PicoSure, achieving significant results in skin rejuvenation. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration
in America approved this devicefor the treatment of wrinkles and acne scarring. The technology is also registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia.
The FOCUS Lens Array handpiece microscopically concentrates the PicoSure pulse to a precise depth, harnessing the photomechanical effect in kick-starting skin rejuvenation. This has been shown to reduce the appearance of pigmentation, wrinkles and acne scarring, and to boost general skin rejuvenation.
“The FOCUS Optic creates a high-energy spatially confined injury to the epidermis, which we refer to as an area of Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB),” Dr Tanghetti explains. “This results in skin lightening and treatment of acne scars by a unique mechanism that most likely represents an epidermally- driven collagen remodelling and possibly fibroblast stimulation, caused by the very short laser pulse.”
The FOCUS Lens Array combines low and high fluencies, delivered in a controlled manner. This is designed to boost both the efficacy and safety of treatment. “I can now treat acne scars in virtually all skin types, with minimal downtime and minimal pain, not requiring any topical anaesthesia,” Dr Tanghetti says. “In the past, I did not treat Fitzpatrick skin type V and VI with my non- ablative devices. However, now I feel comfortable treating them with the PicoSure FOCUS Optic.”
Delivering PicoSure treatment
Calling upon his experience in employing the PicoSure system, Dr Tanghetti explains there are certain techniques that have helped optimise treatment.
“We have found that lower fluence treatments with the two joules setting are just as effective as high-dose treatments, which may cause more downtime and side effects,” Dr Tanghetti explains. “We have also found that treatment sessions with 5,000 to 7,000 pulses with the FOCUS Optic has been well tolerated and produced better results than with the 2,000 to 3,000 pulse treatments in the full face.”
In skin rejuvenation patients, Dr Tanghetti commonly uses the PicoSure in conjunction with other therapies to generate the best results for his patients.
“We always use adjunctive topical therapies such as topical retinoids and hydroquinones to treat patients with photodamage and problems with dispigmentation,” he explains. “Since the treatments are superficial, we also have no reservations about using this device in conjunction with fillers.”
The Cynosure partnership and PicoSure ROI Cynosure prides itself on helping practitioners and aesthetic business owners to capitalise upon opportunities in the laser market. The Cynosure ‘partnership’ extends beyond providing the product; incorporating marketing assistance, treatment training, and periodic servicing.
“Our Cynosure sales representatives have assisted us in marketing events at our practice, and also through their own national marketing campaigns – which have increased traffic through our practice,” says Dr Tanghetti. “The Cynosure service has been superb but, quite frankly, the PicoSure has proved to be the most reliable laser in my practice. Therefore, I have not required much service for this device.”
Considering the growing demand for tattoo removal in Australia – a trend that doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon – investing in the latest technology seems ideal, particularly when the device also holds valuable potential in general skin rejuvenation and the treatment of acne scars.
“This device, while a significant investment, paid for itself over a one-year period,” Dr Tanghetti says. “This direct return on investment came from a dramatic increase in our tattoo-removal population and from the ability to treat abnormalities of pigmentation and acne scars in populations previously untreatable. The positive feedback from my patients to the community has grown my entire practice.”
“Additionally, there has been considerable indirect ROI from owning the PicoSure system. I strive to stay on the cutting edge of new devices and therapies, and owning a machine like the PicoSure sends the message to my patients that I am committed to bringing them quality, innovative treatments,” Dr Tanghetti concludes.
Visit www.picosure.com.au to find your nearest provider
