Pigmented lesions which tend to be brown or black in color are caused by an excess number of pigment producing cells, known as melanocytes, in the skin. When stimulated by hormonal changes or exposure to ultraviolet light the melanocytes produce excess amounts of melanin resulting in dark discolorations of the skin. Age spots, moles, freckles', lentigos, melasma, and blue or black birthmarks known as congenital nevi are common examples of these changes in the skin. There are a number of treatment options for these conditions which include cryotherapy (cold therapy with liquid nitrogen), surgical removal, and bleaching creams. The Q switched ruby Alexandrite, and Nd:Yag lasers have provided treatment options which in some cases have significantly reduced the risk of scarring and have provided an alternative when other treatment options were ineffective.

Tattoos could be referred to as self induced pigmented lesions of the skin. Tattoos are created when ink and other metallic particles are injected into the second layer of the skin, known as the dermis, or when dirt and other debris is embedded in the skin from a traumatic injury, such as a motorcycle accident on an asphalt surface. The latter is often called a dirt tattoo or road rash.

The methods of tattoo removal in the past frequently left unsightly scars. These include resurfacing techniques, such as salabrasion (salt scraping), dermabrasion (mechanical sanding), and chemical peels, as well as surgical techniques such as skin grafting. With the advent of the pigment removal lasers the risk of scarring has been significantly reduced and the results are cosmetically superior.

All the pigment removal lasers are useful for removing black and blue ink from tattoos. However if a tattoo is complex in color and variety then it is more difficult to remove. Utilizing a combination of the pigment removal lasers most of the colors in a multi colored tattoo can be removed as each of the wavelengths of light tends to have an affinity for slightly different ranges of colors. It is very expensive for most laser surgeons to own all three types of pigment removal lasers. Recognizing this Coherent Medical Group produced a laser with three wavelengths of light, the Versapulse Integrated Laser System. This has allowed the laser surgeon to remove not only blacks but reds, greens, and yellows from tattoos.