What is Laser Tattoo Removal?
Laser tattoo removal is a safe and effective procedure that uses laser technology to selectively target and remove tattoo pigments while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Here are some key points to consider when determining if you are a good candidate for laser tattoo removal:
- Amateur tattoos are easier to remove due to their single pigment and superficial placement, while professional tattoos are more challenging because of multiple pigments and deeper placement.
- Tattoos located on areas with better blood circulation, such as the chest or arms, may respond better to treatment, whereas those on hands and feet may require more sessions.
- Older tattoos tend to fade more easily compared to newer ones.
- Dark pigments like blue and black are easier to remove, while bright or light pigments such as red, yellow, and tan are more difficult. All skin types can undergo laser tattoo removal, but the number of sessions and potential side effects may vary.
- Good general health is important for optimal healing and response to treatment, and conditions affecting skin healing, like certain skin diseases or diabetes, may impact suitability.
- Realistic expectations regarding the number of sessions needed and potential outcomes, as well as a willingness to commit to multiple treatment sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart, are crucial.
- There should be no active skin infections or conditions in the area to be treated.
- Avoid sun exposure and tanning before and during the treatment period to prevent complications.
- Non-smokers may experience better healing and outcomes, so if you smoke, consider quitting to improve treatment effectiveness.
- Consult with a professional to assess your specific situation and determine the best approach for your tattoo removal.
Benefits:
Targets tattoo pigments without damaging surrounding skin.
Works for amateur, professional, and cosmetic tattoos.
Allows for rapid multiple laser passes in one session, reducing total sessions needed.
Effective on a wide range of pigment colors, with best results on dark pigments.
Gradually fades the tattoo, leading to clearer skin over time.
Sessions tailored to individual tattoo characteristics, such as size, location, and color.
Non-invasive procedure with minimal recovery time.
Uses advanced lasers that are safe and effective for tattoo removal.
More economical than picosecond lasers when combined with the PFD patch.
Helps individuals feel more comfortable and confident in their skin.
More Details:
Laser treatment for tattoo removal is a safe procedure because of the laser’s unique ability to selectively remove the pigment in the tattoo, while leaving the surrounding skin intact. This works for amateur, professional, and cosmetic tattoos.
At the Skin Experts polyclinic, we use a combination of lasers to achieve the best results. Multiple sessions are needed. In order to provide faster results, we use the PFD (perfluorodecalin) patch which is FDA approved for tattoo removal. This patch is placed over the tattoos upon laser treatment to enable rapid multiple laser passes in a single treatment session, and reducing the total number of sessions needed.
The effectiveness of the laser is dependent upon the location and the depth of the tattoo, as well as the composition of the pigments, which gives the tattoo its color. Amateur tattoos are the easiest to remove because they are usually made up of a single color/pigment that is placed superficially, while professional tattoos are composed of several pigments and are placed deeper in the dermis. In general, blue/black color is the easiest to remove, while bright to tan colors are more difficult. All tattoos will require re-treatment at 4-6 weeks intervals. Overall, 2-4 treatment sessions are needed for amateur tattoos, and 3-12 sessions are needed for professional tattoos, depending on their density, color and type of pigment. For cosmetic tattoos, less treatment sessions are often required.
We use the latest generation of nanosecond lasers which, in combination with PFD patch, are generally more cost effective than the picosecond lasers.
