Laser tattoo removal involves using lasers and light pulses to target and heat tattoo ink pigment, which causes the ink to expand and then break down into smaller ink particles. These particles are small enough that they are absorbed by the body and eliminated naturally through lymph waste system.

How Lasers work:
Laser light targets the compatible ink color and the energy from the light heats up the ink as it is absorbed. Currently three types of Q-switched lasers used in tattoo removal. These lasers are:

Ruby laser (694nm)
Nd:YAG laser (532nm, 1064nm)
Alexandrite laser (755nm)

The Q-switched ruby and alexandrite lasers target black, blue and green ink pigments. The Q-switched 532nm Nd:YAG laser are used to target reds and the 1064nm Nd:YAG laser again target black and blue pigments.

How it looks and feels:

The laser treatment itself feels like numerous snaps with a rubber band on sunburned skin. Most people find treatments uncomfortable and /or painful. The discomfort can be minimized by the use of ice, sedatives, pain medications, or injections of local anesthesia with lidocaine or a topical anesthetic cream. After the treatment ice and a antibacterial ointment are used to alleviate the sting and protect the treated area.

The appearance of the treated area immediately after a laser session will vary from patient to patient depending on the extent of treatment immediate after-effects may include redness, light crusting, or tenderness all of which disappear in a short time.

How long it takes:

Removing small single color tattoos generally require fewer treatments than larger multicolored tattoos. Regardless, there is no way to predetermine how many treatments will be necessary to achieve satisfactory fading or removal. Laser treatments are scheduled 4 - 8 weeks to allow skin to recover and heal.

Some laser practices incorporate in home tattoo fading systems in their laser removal treatment plan to accelerate the rate of removal as well as to fade ink colors with little contrast from natural skin tone and difficult for lasers to target.

The Cost:

The cost of laser tattoo removal varies by doctor and location, but can be found in many major cities for $200-500 per session.

Risks:

Laser tattoo removal risks include:
Hypopigmentation – increased darkening of natural skin pigment
Hyperpigmentation – lightening or loss of natural skin pigment
Textural skin changes -noticeably smoother skin as well as scaring
Incomplete or partial removal