Asclepion TattooStar

TattooStar is Asclepion's earlier family of Q-switched tattoo and pigment lasers, built in Jena, Germany. The FDA cleared a TattooStar Family under K060787 in September 2006 and a TattooStar Y under K071451 in August 2007. Later versions followed: TattooStar Effect Y under K112669 in May 2012, and TattooStar Effect Combo under K131757 in July 2014. Asclepion's current NanoStar brochure calls NanoStar the latest generation of its nanosecond technology and refers to the TattooStar family as the line it used for tattoo removal for years.

The variants follow the laser source. TattooStar R is a ruby laser at 694 nm. TattooStar Y is a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at 1064 and 532 nm, and an optional dye handpiece converts the beam to 585 nm. The Effect Y can also be fitted with a pulsed light module called APL, a radiofrequency module and an acoustic wave module. Its 2012 clearance covers hair reduction and acne among the APL uses and wrinkles with radiofrequency. The Effect Combo pairs the Nd:YAG with a ruby laser through an articulated mirror arm. Its Nd:YAG can also run in a millisecond free running mode at up to 1.5 J at 1064 nm. In Q-switched mode it reaches 0.4 J at 532 nm and 0.25 J at 585 nm.

Because the family spans single source, dual source and multi-module systems, the exact name on the label decides what you have. A unit with ruby and Nd:YAG together is a Combo. Extra modules on an Effect Y should be listed, since a buyer cannot see them from the outside.

These are older systems, so a buyer will first ask whether and when the flashlamps, ruby rod and Nd:YAG optics were serviced. Also note the condition of the articulated arm and whether the dye handpiece is included. Report pulse counts and any error messages, and photograph the serial label, the start screen and each handpiece or module.