For years, laser technology has been shaped by commercial limitations rather than scientific breakthroughs. The machines in clinics today are not designed for maximum efficacy but for ease of use—built to be operated by practitioners with minimal technical training. Even experienced medical professionals rarely understand the physics behind the devices they use. Laser science is a highly specialized intersection of biology and physics, a discipline that remains largely uncharted outside research laboratories. But that is beginning to change.
A Physicist's Rebellion Against the Status Quo
Dr. Emanuel Paleco is an unusual figure in the field of medical lasers. A quantum nuclear engineer by training, his expertise spans genetics, transdermal delivery, and biochemical pathways. Over three decades, he worked with medical device manufacturers, consulting on laser technology used in clinics worldwide. However, the industry's priorities were clear: build machines that are simple to operate and not necessarily the most advanced in capability.
Rather than accept this compromise, Paleco co-founded the Institute of Medical Physics, a research-led organization that controls every stage of laser technology, from design and manufacturing to clinical application. With state-of-the-art laboratories in San Marino, the institute has taken laser physics back into the hands of scientists. It is here that the technology behind Phantom™—a system capable of removing tattoos in a fraction of the time of conventional methods—was developed.
The Science Behind Phantom™ and Its Radical Approach
Phantom™ is a departure from traditional laser systems, which typically rely on thermal energy to break down tattoo ink. These older systems, including picosecond lasers, generate heat that not only targets ink particles but also affects surrounding tissue, increasing the risk of burns and scarring. The process is slow, requiring long intervals between sessions to allow the skin to recover.
Phantom™ takes a different approach. Instead of relying on heat, it uses high-intensity acoustic shockwaves to shatter ink at a molecular level. This sound-based energy allows ink to break down rapidly without causing thermal damage to the skin. The system's Skin-Blind™ emission technology enables laser pulses to bypass the skin's surface entirely, interacting only with the tattoo itself. As a result, it is capable of removing tattoos in just four to six sessions—compared to the one to two years typically required by other methods.
A Shift in the Physics of Laser Treatment
Central to Phantom™'s performance is its 2.79GW peak power, delivered across four fully powered wavelengths. This enables the system to target ink of any color or depth with greater precision than conventional lasers. The process is further accelerated by P4™ bioceuticals—topical compounds that enhance the body's immune response to fragmented ink, allowing it to clear from the skin more efficiently.
For Dr. Saif Abbas Chatoo, Medical Director at the Institute of Medical Physics, the implications of this technology go beyond efficiency. "With traditional lasers, patients with darker skin tones are at a significantly higher risk of complications due to the way melanin interacts with thermal energy," he explains. "Phantom™ overcomes this limitation by eliminating heat entirely, making it safe and effective for all skin types, including Fitzpatrick Type 6."
Beyond Tattoo Removal: A Glimpse into the Future of Laser Physics
While Phantom™ represents a major leap forward in tattoo removal, its underlying technology has broader applications. The principles behind its Skin-Blind™ emission and acoustic energy delivery could pave the way for new treatments in regenerative medicine, dermatology, and beyond.
For now, the system remains exclusive to the Institute of Medical Physics, where it is operated by specialists trained in laser physics. However, its success raises questions about the future of medical lasers as a whole. If commercial convenience has held the industry back for decades, Phantom™ suggests what might be possible when science—not simplicity—drives innovation.
