How Laser Tattoo Removal Works
Your tattoo will be exposed to a high-intensity light beam. This laser dissolves the pigment of the tattoo, allowing it to fade and eventually disappear altogether.
Who Is a Candidate for This Procedure?
When it comes to laser removal, not all tattoos are created equal. Black ink is the easiest to remove because it absorbs all color wavelengths produced by the laser. Other colors, particularly pastels and yellows, are often more difficult to treat. However, if you attempted unsuccessfully to have your tattoo removed in the past, newer technologies may make it possible today.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Your doctor will have you wear eye shields, and then your tattoo will be exposed to the laser light beams. Each pulse will be slightly painful, often described as the feeling of a grease splatter or snapped rubber band. After treatment, your tattoo will be iced, then coated with antibiotic ointment and bandaged. You should avoid sun exposure on any tattoo that is in the removal process.
Potential Side Effects
Though side effects and complications with modern laser tattoo therapy are minimal, they may include infection, scarring, complete loss of pigmentation, and unusual darkening or lightening of the skin.
If you have a tattoo that you are interested in removing, talk with our medical team. We can determine whether you are a candidate for laser removal. Tattoo removal may not be recommended for people with autoimmune system disorders, pigmentation problems, acne, warts, uncontrolled diabetes, rosacea, or other skin issues.
Effectiveness of Laser Therapy
The number of laser therapy treatments you will need depends on the size of your tattoo, how long ago you had it done, whether it was an amateur or professional job, the color of your skin, and how deep the ink is embedded. For most people, two to four sessions is sufficient to remove the tattoo, though others may require up to ten visits until it is completely gone. Older tattoos are usually easier to remove while homemade tattoos are often not removable.
At Skin Deep Laser MD, we offer one of the best laser tattoo removals around, by using the state-of-the-art PicoSure® laser. If you have any questions or concerns about tattoo removal, please feel free to contact us to schedule your consultation today.
