Getting body art has become a commonplace in the American culture. Some people really enjoy their tattoos and want to keep them for life, whereas others might regret that they acted on impulse and didn’t think enough about it before they got one. There are many reasons why you may want to remove your tattoo.
Having body art can often become a source of frustration or embarrassment, depending on your changing life situation. Perhaps you’ve had a girlfriend’s name tattooed across your chest, only to find out that she’s cheating on you. Maybe you’ve gotten a new job that requires you to look professional and the body art that extends past your shirt sleeves may not be acceptable. Or your tattoo related to a group that you are no longer a member of. Whatever your reason, while tattoos are considered permanent, it is usually possible to remove them with various treatments, fully or partially.
While there are many tattoo removal options at various prices available today, the most common and effective procedure is using laser technology.
In general, older tattoos can be removed more quickly than new tattoos. This is because the ink has already faded from exposure to the sun and as the result of the body breaking down some of the ink. Color of the ink plays a role, too. Black tattoo pigment is the easiest to remove, as it absorbs all laser wavelengths. Other ink colors can only be treated by selected lasers depending upon the pigment color. So, removing a black tattoo is going to be easier than removing a light green or blue-green tattoo; removing red ink will be easier than orange ink. This is primarily because the wavelengths of light that are used to break up the ink in a tattoo focus in on certain colors better than others. Also, removing a tattoo that is filled with shading will be easier than removing a tattoo that is filled in completely with think, rich ink.
Even patients with previously treated tattoos may also benefit from laser therapy. Tattoos that have not been effectively removed by other methods may respond well to laser treatment provided the prior methods did not result in excessive scarring.
How Laser Tattoo Removal Works
Laser tattoo removal is a procedure that is done in an outpatient facility by a dermatologist. When a tattoo is applied, the ink is injected into the upper layers of the skin, where it bonds with the skin molecules. Laser tattoo removal involves using the laser heat to erase these molecules. The laser light works in conjunction with the heat to break down the ink in the tattoo, and incite the production of new, clear skin tissue where the tattoo once was. The broken-down ink is then absorbed by the body, mimicking the natural fading that time or sun exposure would create.
All tattoo ink pigments have specific light absorption spectra. A tattoo laser must be capable of emitting adequate energy within the given absorption spectrum of the pigment in order to provide an effective treatment. Certain tattoo pigments, such as yellows, greens and fluorescent inks are more challenging to treat than the darker blacks and blues. These pigments are more challenging to treat because they have absorption spectra that fall outside or on the edge of the emission spectra available in the respective tattoo removal laser.
Laser tattoo removal requires several repeated sessions to remove even a small tattoo, and may result in permanent scarring. Areas with thin skin will be more likely to scar than thicker-skinned areas. A new brand of ink, called InfinitInk, was developed that allows for easier tattoo removal with a single laser treatment. The newer Q-switched lasers are said by the National Institute of Health to result in scarring only rarely, and are usually used with a topical anesthetic. There are several types of Q-switched lasers, and each is effective at removing a different range of the color spectrum. They can effectively remove black, dark blue, purple and red tattoo ink. New lasers – RevLite and MedLite lasers have an enhanced ability to treat a much broader range of tattoo pigments than than standard Q-switched lasers. In addition to black, dark blue, purple, and red; they can remove sky blue and green pigment, which are typically the hardest colors to get rid of.
If treating a tattoo with multiple colors, it is important to note that there are three types of lasers used today and each laser works best on certain colors. One laser is most effective at removing red and orange colors, while another is best with green. Finding a tattoo removal clinic in your area that offers treatment with all three lasers may be the best option for you if your tattoo is very large and colorful.
Laser tattoo removal has to be done gradually, otherwise there is a significant chance that the tattooed area can become scarred. Several sessions are necessary over a period of a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the size and coloration (darker takes longer) of the tattoo. After each removal session, the area being treated will be bandaged, and the patient will be given care instructions.
The healing process is much shorter with laser treatment than with other methods, however the cost is very high.
Complete laser tattoo removal requires as many as 8 to 12 treatments, typically spaced at least 8 weeks apart. At each session, some but not all of the tattoo pigment particles are effectively fragmented, and the body removes the smallest fragments over the course of several weeks. The result is that the tattoo is lightened. Remaining large particles of tattoo pigment are then targeted at subsequent treatment sessions, causing further lightening. The number of sessions and spacing between treatments depends on various parameters, including the area of the body treated and skin color. Forearm and ankle tattoos generally take longest.
Most patients are treated without any pain medication. However, depending on the location of the tattoo and the pain threshold for the patient, the physician may choose to use some form of anesthesia, for example, a topical anesthesia cream, or painkiller injections at the site of the procedure.
Does Laser Tattoo Removal Have any Side Effects?
Laser tattoo removal is generally accepted as a safe treatment, however, rare complications of laser tattoo removal include burning of the skin, discoloring dark skin with the laser, hypopigmentation (white spots, more common in darker skin), hyperpigmentation (dark spots), and changes in skin texture. Severe burns may sometimes result in scarring.
Some of the inks used, especially Yellow #7, are known to break down into toxic chemicals in the body when treated with light. This is especially a concern if these tattoos are exposed to UV light or laser removal; the resulting chemical products end up migrating to the kidneys and liver. Laser removal of natural tattoos (also known as traumatic tattoos, that result from injuries, especially asphalt from road injuries) may similarly be complicated depending on the substance of the pigmenting material.
A Typical Laser Tattoo Removal Session: What to expect?
In general, this is what will happen during an office visit for tattoo removal using the newer lasers:
- Protective eye shields will placed on your eyes.
- The skin’s reaction to the laser will be tested fist to determine the most effective energy for treatment.
- The treatment itself consists of placing a hand piece against the surface of the skin and activating the laser light. Each pulse feels a lot like the snapping of a rubber band against the skin.
- Smaller tattoos require fewer pulses while larger ones require more. Regardless of the size, each tattoo requires several treatments and multiple visits. After each visit, your tattoo will become progressively lighter.
- After each laser treatment, ice is immediately placed on the tattoo to minimize swelling.
- After about 30 minutes, a topical antibiotic ointment is placed on the tattoo followed by a sterile dressing. The skin site should be left dry for a few days and should be cared for like sunburned skin..
- You will be instructed to use a sun block when out in the sun.
It is important to have realistic expectations and be are aware that laser tattoo removal does not guarantee complete removal of a tattoo.
Laser Tattoo Removal Cost
What most often influences the cost of tattoo removal is the size and complexity of the tattoo. Depending on the area of the body treated and skin color, up to 8-12 may be necessary to remove the tattoo. At $200-$500 per session, this makes the laser treatment expensive, compared to some other tattoo removal options.
The cost is generally not covered by health insurance as it is considered an elective and cosmetic procedure. It is important to consult with a laser tattoo removal specialist to get an idea of what financial commitment tattoo removal will be. Keep in mind that although the procedure may be costly, it is the most effective tattoo removal method available right now. Other methods (such as various tattoo removal creams) may be cheaper but they may not offer the desired results.
How Do I Find a Reputable Doctor to Perform Laser Tattoo Removal?
When choosing dermatologist or cosmetic surgery center make sure you find a reputable facility to ensure proper treatment and care. If possible, ask for a recommendation from your family physician for a dermatologist or skin surgery center that specializes in tattoo removal.
Laser Tattoo Removal Before and After Photos
Learn more about tattoo removal on Tattoo Removal blog and read my post about various tattoo removal options and prices.
