LASER TREATMENT: TATTOO REMOVAL

Effective treatment of tattoos. Repeat treatments 4 weeks apart result in successive fading of the tattoo until complete clearance. There will a scabbing response; as the scab heals, the tattoo will progressively fade.

How are tattoos removed?

You can choose safely how you want to remove your tattoo. Laser therapy is the newest and most common method of tattoo removal. The ND:Yag Laser is the laser of choice for tattoo removal. Lasers work by emitting pulses of highly concentrated light that targets the ink by breaking it apart into tiny fragments. With time these fragments are removed by your body’s immune system. Laser therapy allows the removal of tattoos without harming the surrounding skin.

What type of tattoos can be removed?

All types of tattoos can be removed. Depending on the depth and density of the ink will determine how many treatments are necessary for complete resolution. Tattoos made professionally, by amateurs, traumatically or by surgery can be removed by the laser. Usually greater than 95% fading of the tattoo can be accomplished.

How many treatments will it take to remove the tattoos?

With each treatment, the laser penetrates the skin and fragments the ink each time, allowing the tattoo to fade. Multiple treatments at specific intervals allow the surrounding skin and tissue to recover from each treatment. Treatment intervals are usually every four to eight weeks, depending on your skin’s recovery time.

Can any tattoo be removed?

Different ink colors absorb the laser differently. Black ink is the easiest color to remove because it absorbs the light pulses best. Lighter colors such as orange, yellow and green can be the most difficult to remove. After the first treatment, we can estimate the number treatments necessary to remove the entire tattoo.

Is the process painful?

Some discomfort may be expected, just like when you had the tattoo applied. With the laser treatment you may feel a sensation like a “rubber-band snap” at the site. The discomfort will fade momentarily. Prior to treatment and upon patient request, a topical anesthetic or local anesthetic can be applied to minimize any sensation during the treatment. Even though, the results of tattoo removal are faster without the use of a local anesthetic.

What type of post-treatment care is necessary?

After the treatment, an antibiotic ointment is applied with a bandage. Applying an ice pack can reduce any possible swelling. Afterwards, daily cleansing and application of the antibiotic ointment for a few days will facilitate healing.

Are there any potential side effects?

Few side effects are seen after laser treatment. Some patients may experience minimal redness or swelling at the site. The site may be tender and form a scab after treatment. This is part of the normal healing process. With laser treatment, pigmentary and textural changes such as scars may occur. This scarring is uncommon and over time the tattoo will fade and your skin will return to its normal color.