Nd:YAG laser wavelengths: 1064, 532 and 1320 nm explained

Nd:YAG laser wavelengths 1064, 532 and 1320 nm each suit a different job, and choosing the right one is the first setting decision in every treatment. This guide is written for cosmetic tattoo artists, beauty studios and clinics, including the colours Nd:YAG handles poorly.

How Nd:YAG laser wavelengths work

An Nd:YAG laser generates light in a crystal rod of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet. Its main emission is 1064 nm, which is invisible near-infrared light. When that beam passes through a frequency-doubling crystal, usually KTP (potassium titanyl phosphate), the wavelength is halved to 532 nm, which is visible green light. Nd:YAG also has a weaker emission line at about 1320 nm (often written 1319 nm), further into the near-infrared. On many aesthetic Nd:YAG systems, including Lunar lasers, 1320 nm is the setting used for carbon peel.

The principle behind laser tattoo removal is selective photothermolysis, first described by Anderson and Parrish in 1983. If a target absorbs a wavelength much more strongly than the surrounding tissue, and the pulse is shorter than the time the target takes to shed its heat, the effect stays largely confined to the target. A pigment absorbs the colours it does not reflect. Red ink looks red because it reflects red light and absorbs green, which is why green 532 nm light suits red ink. Black ink absorbs broadly, so the deeper-reaching 1064 nm is the usual choice.

Which wavelength for which colour

Use this table as a starting point, not a rule. Pigment chemistry varies between brands and batches, and older tattoos often contain mixed inks.

1064 nm: black and dark pigment

For 1064 nm laser tattoo removal, the target is black and dark pigment. Longer wavelengths scatter less in skin, so 1064 nm reaches deeper into the dermis, where body tattoos and heavily worked pigment usually sit. It is the workhorse wavelength of the tattoo removal lasers used in Australian clinics.

Melanin absorbs 1064 nm much less than it absorbs shorter wavelengths. For that reason, published reviews of laser tattoo removal describe 1064 nm as the generally preferred option for darker skin types (Fitzpatrick IV to VI). The risk of pigment change is lower, not zero. Conservative settings, a patch test and a careful consultation still apply.

532 nm: red, orange and warm pigment

A 532 nm laser targets red ink and other warm tones, such as orange and some pinks. Melanin and blood also absorb this wavelength strongly, so its effect stays more superficial. It is more likely to cause temporary redness, pinpoint bleeding or changes in skin colour, and it calls for extra care on darker skin types.

Cosmetic tattoo pigments need particular caution. Many brow, lip blush and nude pigments contain iron oxide or titanium dioxide. A landmark report in the Archives of Dermatology documented immediate and irreversible darkening of white, flesh-toned and pink-red cosmetic tattoos after Q-switched and pulsed laser treatment, including at 1064 and 532 nm. Always place a small test spot and review it before treating the whole area. Our cosmetic tattoo removal laser guide covers brows, lips and eyeliner in more detail.

1320 nm: carbon peel

The 1320 nm setting is used for carbon peel, which is a cosmetic skin treatment, not tattoo removal. A thin carbon lotion is applied to the skin. Laser pulses then heat and disperse the carbon from the surface, leaving the skin looking refreshed. Much of the published carbon peel research uses Q-switched Nd:YAG at 1064 nm, so the technique is not tied to one wavelength. Results vary, and clients usually book a course rather than a single session. Every Lunar laser ships with carbon peel gel. Read more on the carbon peel laser page.

Why green and light blue are harder

Green and light blue inks absorb red light most strongly, roughly in the 650 to 760 nm range. Ruby (694 nm) and alexandrite (755 nm) lasers work in that band. Nd:YAG emits on either side of it. A green ink also reflects the green 532 nm beam instead of absorbing it. Dark blue can respond to 1064 nm, but bright green, teal and sky blue often fade only partially with Nd:YAG alone. Tell clients before you start, and refer them on when another technology fits better. Our guide to Q-switched vs picosecond lasers sets out how the two technologies compare.

Pulse width, repetition rate and fluence in plain words

• Q-switching and pulse width. A Q-switch holds energy inside the laser cavity, then releases it in a single very short burst. Lunar lasers fire pulses of 1 to 10 nanoseconds, which are billionths of a second. The energy fragments pigment particles before heat spreads far into surrounding tissue. The body clears the fragments gradually, which is why sessions are spaced weeks apart.
• Repetition rate. 1 to 10 Hz means 1 to 10 pulses per second. Higher rates cover large body tattoos faster. Lower rates give more control for fine work such as brows and lip lines.
• Energy, spot size and fluence. Fluence is energy per area, measured in J/cm². If the energy stays the same, a smaller spot gives a higher fluence. At the same fluence, a larger spot penetrates deeper with less scatter. On Lunar lasers you adjust the spot size by changing the handpiece distance. Operators start conservatively and look for a clinical endpoint, such as immediate whitening of the treated area, as their training directs.

What to check when comparing multi-wavelength lasers

• Energy at each wavelength. Frequency doubling is not fully efficient, so output at 532 nm is normally lower than at 1064 nm. Ask any supplier which wavelength a quoted mJ figure refers to.
• Spot size range. Fluence depends on spot size, so check the range available and how it is set.
• The colours you will actually treat. Mostly black, brown and red pigment suits Nd:YAG well. A large share of green and blue work may call for a second technology.
• Training. Look for training on patch testing, skin type and darkening risk, not only machine operation.

Common questions

What is the difference between 1064 nm and 532 nm?

1064 nm is near-infrared light that reaches deeper and suits black and dark pigment. 532 nm is green light made by frequency-doubling 1064 nm. It is more superficial and suits red, orange and warm pigment.

Which laser wavelength removes black ink?

1064 nm is the usual wavelength for black ink. Black absorbs broadly, and 1064 nm reaches the depth where most tattoo ink sits. Several sessions are usually needed, and results vary.

What is 1320 nm used for on an Nd:YAG laser?

On Lunar lasers, the 1320 nm setting is used for carbon peel, a cosmetic skin treatment in which the laser heats and disperses a carbon lotion applied to the skin. It is not used for tattoo removal.

Can Nd:YAG remove blue or green ink?

Dark blue can respond to 1064 nm. Green, teal and light blue usually respond poorly to Nd:YAG alone and may only fade partially, because these inks absorb red light that Nd:YAG does not emit.

Which wavelength is used for cosmetic eyebrow tattoo removal?

Dark, ash or cool brown brows are usually treated at 1064 nm. Warm or reddish brown may need 532 nm. Many brow pigments contain iron oxide, which can darken, so always test a small area first.

Why do some colours need more sessions?

Each colour absorbs each wavelength differently. Clearance also depends on ink density, depth, age, body location and how quickly the client clears the fragments. Multi-colour work usually needs more sessions, and results vary.

All three wavelengths in every Lunar laser

Every Lumova Lunar model offers 1064, 532 and 1320 nm, with 1 to 10 ns pulses at 1 to 10 Hz. The models differ in power, output energy and size. Lunar L1 is a compact 500 W unit with 100 to 2000 mJ output. Lunar L2 is compact with 600 W and 300 to 3000 mJ. The Lunar Pro is a stationary 600 W, 300 to 3000 mJ system that adds a cryo cooling hammer for high-volume work. Use the Lunar model comparison to see the full specifications side by side.