Laser tattoo removal has become big business with the increased demand for tattoos. In the United States, about 17% of people with tattoos experience some regret. According to a poll done in 2008, the most common reasons for regret are "too young when I got the tattoo (20%)," it's "permanent" and I'm "marked for life (19%)," and I just "don't like it (18%)."1
Tattoo removal in the past has led to scaring but with recent advances in laser technology, laser therapy has become the gold standard for removing tattoos. Today laser therapy for removing tattoos has replaced most other treatment options and most tattoo removal specialists utilize laser technology as the sole tattoo removal technique.2
Non laser tattoo removal options include tattoo removal by excision, tattoo removal by dermabrasion, tattoo removal by salabrasion, chemical peels, tissue expansion and even tattoo removal cream
How Laser Tattoo Removal Works
The best lasers use short bursts of laser light energy directed at the tattooed area. The powerful laser energy is able to penetrate the skin and is absorbed by the pigmented skin cells. This causes the ink to 'break apart' making it easy for the body to absorb and rid itself of the ink within the skin. The laser is often used in combination with a chiller that blows cool air at sub-zero temperatures to minimize discomfort during and after treatment.
Lasers
Different lasers have different uses and some lasers are better than others. For example some lasers are able to vary the wavelength of the laser and the focal spot size. Lasers use different wavelengths of laser energy from visible to near-infrared to target different tattoo colors. This enables more or less energy if required, and can minimize pain while maximizing effectiveness. Q-switched lasers are the safest and most efficient lasers for removing tattoos. Q-switched lasers have appropriate pulse durations for tattoo removal. Lasers with a shorter pulses are safer and are more efficient because the peak power of the pulse is greater. These lasers leave little or no scarring.
Sessions
Removing tattoos, particularly professional tattoos will usually take a number of sessions (between 5 and 15). After each laser tattoo session the laser breaks down the ink which can then be absorbed by the body naturally. This can take a 6-8 week period, causing the tattoo to fade away over a number of visits.3
Is Laser Tattoo Removal Painful?
Yes it can be painful. However the pain only lasts for a short time as laser tattoo removal is a very fast procedure and only takes a few seconds for each session. It has been described as feeling like a rubber band snapping on the skin. The pain may be as severe or slightly more severe than when you had the tattoo done. If a topical anesthetic cream is used and a cooling system then the procedure should be significantly less painful.
After the procedure some patients develop blisters, crusts, or scabs 8 - 72 hours after treatment. These may last for 1 - 2 weeks or more and are nothing to worry about. They are just part of the healing process.4
Tattoo Removal Side Effects
Very rarely some ink colors react badly to the laser and will turn dark instead of fading. This can be irreversible but usually future sessions will cause the darkened tattoo to fade. Other side effects occasionally include scarring and bleaching of the skin.
Does Laser Tattoo Removal Really Work?
Yes it does and most patients are thrilled after their initial few treatments, but can become impatient during the middle stages of laser tattoo removal.5 During the final stages the tattoo may be completely cleared although some colors such as white may not be removed entirely.5
The effectiveness of laser tattoo removal depends on a number of factors. These include:
- Skin tone - Darker skin tone should take more sessions to get results.
- Tattoo Quality - Professional tattoos use stronger inks that are deeper inside the skin and are more difficult to remove.
- Tattoo Color - Richer and darker colors such as deep blue, dark orange, red and black will absorb the energy better and fade more quickly while right whites, light blues, greens and purples will take longer.
- Immune System - Just as people recover from colds quicker some people can break down the pigment faster than others
Before and After Photos
Here are some before and after photos from two tattoo removal services demonstrating the effectiveness of laser tattoo removal - see trlaser.com and drtattoff.com
Laser Tattoo Removal Cost
The cost of laser tattoo removal depends on a number of factors. Laser tattoo removal costs can range from several hundred dollars to thousands of dollars depending upon the size, type, and location of the tattoo and the number of visits required. The expertise and training of the surgeon is also a factor.
The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery offers a free physician finder service. Just type in your state and choose "tattoo removal" under procedure.
Here is an extensive list of prices by different people who have undergone laser tattoo removal therapy. Here are some photos and estimated prices from drtattoff.com.
Different clinics will calculate the cost of laser tattoo removal differently but the greatest factors in determing the price of laser tattoo removal are the number of square inces treated and the number of sessions required to remove the tattoo. Prices can therefore range significantly but typically the cost is $200 - $500 per session.
Laser Tattoo Removal Aftercare
Scarring which can be keloid or hypertrophic can occur but is rare. Loss of skin pigment is temporary except in rare cases.4
To increase recovery rate and reduce the possibility of scaring do the following:
- Keep the area clean and dry while it is healing4
- Do not pick at the scab or allow the skin to become scraped as infection and scarring may result.4
- Use a strong sun blog for 3 months following the treatment.4
- The area should itch. You could use Aquaphor, Vitamin E ointment, or hydrocortisone cream to treat the area.4
Recommended Specialists
If you live in Los Angeles County or Orange County area I recommend celibre. They provide laser tattoo removal using gold standard laser technology. All their physicians and nurses are registered and are experienced at treating many different skin types.
Your recommendations, experiences and comments arewelcome.
- The Harris Poll, February 12, 2008 [↩]
- TattooHealth.org Staff, Laser Tattoo Removal, TattooHealth.org, November 4, 2008 [↩]
- How does it work?, lasertattooremoval.co.uk [↩]
- New Look’s After Care Instructions for Laser Tattoo Removal, newlookhouston.com [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩]
- All About Laser Tattoo Removal, drtattoff.com [↩] [↩]
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