Laser Tattoo Removal Information | Laser Tattoo Removal

Laser tattoo removal is a procedure that allows for the removal of unwanted tattoos. There are many reasons for possibly wanting a tattoo removed. The reality is we all do things to our bodies that we eventually come to regret. Laser tattoo removal is just one solution to what used to be a permanent problem. Tattoo removal has greatly increased in popularity because it allows us to no longer be burdened with a tattoo we seriously regret.

Laser tattoo removal is very similar to other laser pigmentation procedures. Lasers work by producing short pulses of intense light that pass directly through the top layers of the skin and are absorbed by the tattoo pigment. The energy emitted by the laser causes the tattoo pigment to break into smaller particles that are eventually removed by the body's immune system. This procedure is effective because the laser targets the pigment of the tattoo without damaging the skin

The biggest factor influencing the laser tattoo removal procedure is the depth and density of the tattoo ink. Each procedure further fragments the ink by penetrating deeper into the skin. This procedure has been the most effective on those with fair to medium skin color. Oftentimes this procedure will not work on those with dark skin because the lasers are affected by the ability to distinguish between skin color and ink pigment.

The best candidates for laser tattoo removal are those with fair to medium skin color and those that have tattoos that are not particularly dark or deep:

The lighter the skin color the easier it is for the laser to be able to distinguish between skin and ink. With fair skin, the laser easily passes through the skin directly to the ink pigment. In those with darker skin, there is a greater risk of burning by the laser because it can not tell the difference between skin color and ink pigment.
The overall density and depth of the ink will determine the number of procedures required. Each procedure causes the laser to go deeper under the skin in order to fragment the ink. The darker and deeper the ink, the longer it will take to completely eradicate.
Superficial ink usually leads to the quickest results. This type of ink is closest to the skins surface, so the laser will not need to penetrate as deeply.

Areas with good circulation, like the chest, arms and buttocks, are the most effective places for laser tattoo removal treatment. Increased blood flow allows for quicker removal of ink through the immune system. Areas with poor circulation are harder to treat.

Unfortunately both receiving and removing tattoo’s can be somewhat uncomfortable, but most patients experience minimal pain during the laser tattoo removal treatment. When the laser is penetrating through the skin, it is most often described as feeling similar to the snap of a rubber band. Many doctors recommend taking non-aspirin pain medication before the procedure to reduce any discomfort. Products containing aspirin or anti-inflammatory ailments are not recommended because they have been known to produce pronounced bruising post treatment.

Other alternatives for reducing laser tattoo removal discomfort are either the application of an anesthetic cream or injection of a local anesthetic. Blistering and scabbing often follow each treatment therefore it is imperative to take care of the treated area in order to prevent permanent scaring.

With over one hundred different inks out on the tattoo market today, it is almost impossible for physicians to initiate an exact course of laser tattoo removal treatment because they have no idea what ink was used and how deep and dense the color in the skin is. It is found that over 90% of tattoos will fade almost completely. Dark inks like blue, black, red, green and sometimes purple are the easiest to dissolve; lighter colors tend to fade less.