Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated
Emission of Radiation. A laser emits short high-energy bursts
that pass through the epidermis and are absorbed by the tattoo
ink causing it to disintegrate and be removed by the body. It
is particularly effective with blue and black tattoos and less
effective with yellow and green pigments.
Three common types are Q-switched Ruby, Q-switched Alexandrite,
and Q-switched Nd:YAG. According to a 1999 report from The American
Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery the average cost of laser
tattoo removal was about $2,800 for doctors fees alone. This is
usually not covered by insurance.
It usually takes several sessions to have a tattoo removed. Each
session usually lasts less than half an hour, and sessions are
spaced around a month apart to allow the skin to heal, and the
body's immune system to carry away to disintegrated ink. There
is some pain involved, described as similar to a rubber band snapping
against the skin. A topical anesthetic cream, cooling gel or injection
of lidocain may be used for more pain-sensitive patients. Patients
wear eye protections during the procedure.
There is often swelling and blistering during the first couple
days after treatment, this is followed by a scab in a couple weeks
with a gradual lightening of the tattoo for the next month. Antibiotic
ointment, pain relievers as needed and sun avoidance are recommended.
Depending upon your skin color, there may be skin lightening
(hypopigmentation) or skin darkening (hyperpigmentation). These
changes may be temporary or permanent.
In general, laser tattoo removal is more effective on:
- darker color ink (as opposed to lighter color ink) since darker
colors absorb more of the laser's energy
- newer tattoos (as opposed to older tattoo) since the ink is
less likely to have migrated into deeper tissue
- professionally applied tattoos (as opposed to amateur applied
ones) since the ink's been injected deeper in the skin
- light-skinned individuals (as opposed to dark-skinned individuals)
since there is less natural pigmentation to block the laser's
impact
