Rubystar® ruby laser
The Q-switched ruby laser with a wavelength of 694 nanometres is strongly absorbed by melanin and dark colour pigments. We use it for benign pigment spots and certain tattoo colours, in each case after dermatological assessment.
Overview
The ruby laser produces deep red light at a wavelength of 694 nanometres, which is strongly absorbed by the skin pigment melanin and by dark colour pigments. In our practice we use the Q-switched Rubystar by Asclepion. Q-switching releases the energy in extremely short pulses in the nanosecond range: the pigment is heated abruptly and shattered into the smallest particles, which the body then carries away or sheds with a fine crust. The surrounding tissue is spared as far as possible.
The ruby laser is used for benign pigment changes such as age and sun spots (lentigines), freckles and café-au-lait spots. In tattoo removal it suits black, blue and green pigments as well as permanent make-up; traumatic tattoos, for instance powder and gunshot residue injuries or asphalt and sand embedded in the skin after accidents, can also be treated with it. In long-pulse mode the ruby laser can additionally be used for the removal of very fine facial hair.
Every treatment begins with a dermatological assessment: each pigmented lesion is examined with the dermatoscope, because certain changes such as lentigo maligna, an early form of melanoma, can look confusingly similar to age spots. Only what has previously been medically assessed as benign is treated with the laser; unclear or suspicious findings are clarified by examining the tissue under the microscope. Procedure, healing phase, risks and the sun protection required are described on the treatment page on the ruby laser; tattoo removal has a page of its own.
Areas of application
- Age and sun spots (lentigines) on the face, hands, forearms and décolleté, after dermatological assessment with the dermatoscope
- Freckles and café-au-lait spots after medical assessment
- Tattoos with black, blue and green pigment as well as permanent make-up
- Traumatic tattoos after accidents (powder and gunshot residue injuries, embedded asphalt and sand)
- Very fine facial hair in long-pulse mode