Details: Tattoo Removal

What is laser tattoo removal?
Laser tattoo removal involves a series of treatments during which laser light is pulsed over the tattoo in order to lighten or remove the tattoo without harming the normal skin.

Before	In Progress

How do the lasers work?
The laser emits an intense beam of light which is absorbed by the tattoo ink. The laser energy breaks ink particles into smaller fragments which can be safely absorbed by the body.

How long does a treatment take?
The physician or technician pulses the entire tattoo using the laser hand piece. The time to treat a tattoo depends on the size of the tattoo and the number of colors. A small (one inch) single color tattoo takes less than five minutes. A large multicolor tattoo takes up to 30 minutes.

Does the laser hurt?
The patient will experience discomfort with each pulse similar to the discomfort felt when receiving the tattoo. Numbing creams can significantly reduce the discomfort. The patient should apply the cream in a thick layer and cover the entire area with plastic wrap one and a half hours prior to the procedure. The cream is removed by us at the time of the treatment.

How will the tattoo look after treatment?
After a single treatment, the tattoo will whiten immediately. In a few minutes, the white color resolves and the tattoo will be swollen, red, and occasionally crusty (like a fresh tattoo). The tattoo will be back to normal in a few days or a week. Usually three to five treatments are necessary before the colors start to fade. As the tattoo fades with subsequent treatments, the colors become uneven or spotty.

Before	After

How frequent are treatments?
We prefer to wait six to eight weeks between treatments to allow your body to absorb the fragmented tattoo particles. Waiting longer than eight weeks between treatments will not impact overall success.

How many treatments are necessary?
It is not possible to accurately predict the total number of treatments needed. On average, amateur tattoos take six to eight treatments. Professional tattoos can require eight to 12 treatments. Tattoos over tattoos can require more than 12 treatments.

What are the risks?
Temporary darkening or lightening of the treated skin is possible, and the risk depends on the natural pigment of the patient’s skin. Permanent texture changes such as firmness or lumpiness are possible. Certain colors (historically, those used in cosmetic tattoos) can turn black when treated. This black discoloration might not respond to further laser treatments. There are reports of allergic skin reactions forming in the tattoo or on the entire body after laser treatment. Some tattoos do not fully respond to laser treatment and residual spotty pigment is possible. Rarely, a tattoo will not respond at all. As with any medical or surgical intervention, unforeseen consequences are possible.

How can the risks be minimized?
Keeping your skin as pale as possible in the tattoo area will keep the risk of pigment problems as low as possible. Use sunscreens if the tattoo is exposed daily or keep it covered with clothes or bandages. It is not possible to identify which tattoos will not completely respond or the rare tattoo that will not respond at all. We discontinue treatments if no response is visible by the fourth session.

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