How does laser tattoo removal actually work?
Our tattoo removal laser sends extremely fast pulses of light energy into a tattooed area of your skin. The doctor uses differing wavelengths of laser light to treat certain different colors of tattoo ink.
The light energy is selectively absorbed by the tattoo ink particles, which are trapped in the dermis of your skin.
When this happens, the energy instantly shatters the ink particles into tiny fragments.
Now that the individual particles are now smaller, your body’s immune system helps to remove the ink over a period of weeks, effectively removing the tattoo ink.
The result of this process is a visibly lighter area, where the tattoo once was. Each and every laser treatment breaks down more ink until the tattoo can no longer visible.
I’ve heard that tattoos can be treated in a single treatment? Can you offer this?
There is no safe method of removing a tattoo in one treatment. All single treatment methods such as infrared coagulation, surgical excision, dermabrasion and acid de-tattooing will likely damage the skin and leave a scar.
Depending on the size, colour and tattoo itself, tattoos are safely removed over a period of up to ten treatments, usually at least four weeks apart.
What does laser tattoo removal feel like?
The laser light pulses produced by the tattoo removal lasers feel similar to being flicked by a rubber band.
Most of our clients do not require anaesthesia, however local anaesthetic injections are available for those who find laser tattoo removal treatment uncomfortable. Dr Hollenbach can administer further appropriate pain management solutions if necessary for larger tattoos.
How many treatments will I need to remove my tattoo?
Depending on the size, colour and tattoo itself, tattoos are safely removed over a period of up to ten treatments, usually at least four weeks apart.
Tattoos further away from the heart, for example on the lower legs or ankles, can sometimes take longer to heal due to reduced circulation in the extremities.
Will the tattoo disappear completely?
We find that most of the time, around 95% of a tattoo’s visibility will fade following laser tattoo removal. One important thing to remember is that there are over 100 different tattoo inks on the market today.
As we cannot know for sure which tattoo ink was used, the quantity of ink or depth of ink, we are unable to perfectly predict the extent that your tattoo will be disappear.
Does the colour of the tattoo ink influence the results of tattoo removal?
Black, green & blue ink are generally the easiest colours to remove. They take the least amount of time & effort. Red, orange, yellow, and white inks become progressively more challenging. This of course varies tattoo to tattoo depending on the age, quantity and depth of the ink used.
Does laser tattoo removal leave a scar?
Most patients treated by laser tattoo removal will not develop scarring.
Please note however, it is impossible to guarantee that no scarring will occur. Scarring differs greatly from person to person. Certain people are known to have experienced minor textural change in their skins appearance.
If you have any evidence that your healing capacity makes you especially prone to bad scarring, please bring this to our attention so a test laser treatment can be carried out on your tattoo.
Does the age of the tattoo affect removal?
You’ve noticed that tattoos do naturally fade after time, although never completely. Colours are the first elements to fade. It makes sense then that older tattoos (usually at least a few years old) are easier for lasers to remove.
Therefore, older tattoos generally do require fewer treatments than a more recent tattoo. However, it still depends on colour, ink quantity and depth of the tattoo.
How soon will I see results?
After the first treatment, results will be evident. Expect to see fading and initial reduction in the tattoo’s appearance. Then watch you’re the ink disappear following each and every subsequent session.
