Laser tattoo removal is a quick in-office procedure with no
downtime. The laser heats and breaks up the ink particles in your skin so they
can be naturally removed by your white blood cells. Laser tattoo removal can be
painful and usually requires many treatment sessions for best results.
How laser tattoo removal is performed
Your dermatologist will assess your tattoo for factors such
as size, placement, and color to determine the best type of laser to use.
Different lasers are used to treat different ink colors. Black ink is easiest
to remove and purple, yellow, and green inks are more challenging.
The hand-held laser is shined on your tattoo in very quick
flashes to break up the ink particles without damaging nearby tissue. This can
sometimes be more painful than the original tattoo process. After treatment
your dermatologist will apply soothing salve and bandages.
Recovery and results
The treated area will immediately appear lighter and may
feel irritated. After 24 hours you may develop small blisters or crusty skin as
you heal. Most people need multiple treatment sessions to completely remove their
tattoo depending on the size and type of ink. The exact number of sessions varies.Read More