Skip to content
Home » How Tattoo Removal Works

How Tattoo Removal Works

The process of laser tattoo removal near me is a mystery for some. But, it’s not magic It’s science! Laser removal of tattoos is an exciting procedure for patients and professionals alike, however, many people are unaware of the science behind it. This page provides an introduction to the science behind laser tattoo removal. It also explains the reasons why laser tattoo removal is the best option to get rid of unneeded ink.

The Laser Tattoo Removal Basic Process

In a laser tattoo removal process, the person directs a laser across an area that has a tattoo. In contrast to a laser pointer which emits a continuous beam of light, lasers for tattoo removal generate light-based pulses.

Each energy pulse goes through the skin and is taken up by the ink used to make tattoos. When the tattoo ink particles absorb energy, they begin to heat up, and eventually break into tiny pieces. In the months following treatment, the immunity system of the body flushes the particles of ink from the area, reducing its appearance. Each treatment with laser breaks down each time, removing more and more tattoo ink until there is no trace left.

How do you define Q-Switching?

Q-switching is a particular kind of laser pulse generation. Q-switched lasers create extremely strong, short pulses of energy , usually lasting only several nanoseconds. This rapid, intense burst of energy is an important component of determining the nature of how laser removal of tattoos works.

Q-switched lasers are especially useful to remove tattoos using lasers. The particles of tattoo ink are very tiny (typically nanometers in size) which is why they require heating for a short amount of time in order to warm and explode.

Skin cells are larger and require being heated over a long amount of time before they are damaged. Because a Q-switched laser’s pulse is extremely short it’s adept at heating up and breaking tattoo ink , without heating the tissues surrounding it. The shortness of the Q-switched laser pulse permits practitioners to target the ink particles that are tattooed while keeping the skin surrounding it intact.

The focus is on the Tattoo Ink

Tattoos come in every color imaginable. Like all other objects in our world different shades of tattoos reflect and absorb various wavelengths of light at various speeds. For instance the red color of a tattoo appears red due to the fact that it absorbs green light, and then reflects red light.

Since the purpose of laser removal of tattoos is to make the ink used to tattoo absorb laser light, it is important to ensure that the wavelength you choose to use is well absorbed by the tattoo. In the case of that red-colored tattoo the red ink needs to be treated using green laser light since it absorbs green light (which causes the ink particles to melt and break). Because the wavelength 532 nm of light from lasers appears green, it’s the most appropriate wavelength to treat a red tattoo.

In the case of treating tattoos with multiple colors, it is essential to be able to access a range of wavelengths used by lasers to provide treatment flexibility. The most commonly used wavelengths to remove tattoos using lasers are 1064 nm and 532nm which can be used to treat 95%or more of tattoos. Other wavelengths that practitioners employ are 755 nm and 694 nm. These wavelengths work in a similar way and can be used to treat uncommon ink colors, such as bright green or blue.

Let the Body Do the Work

Removal of tattoos isn’t quick fix, it’s generally a lengthy commitment for patients. The majority of tattoos require between 5 and 10 treatments for complete removal. The treatments should be scheduled at least six weeks apart. Patients frequently ask why tattoo removal is so complicated and the reason they must be patient between treatments. As a doctor it is essential to be aware of the answer to these questions in order to give a thorough consultation to patients.

Laser tattoo removal is a process that requires several treatments since not all of the ink used to make tattoos can be destroyed in one treatment session. When the tattoo is placed to the skin, the ink is infiltrated at various depths within the dermis. When the light from the laser gets absorbed by the skin, the smallest layers of ink within the dermis absorb energy and break up, however the layers beneath may not be affected. Once the body has flushed off the top layer of ink will be treated in the deeper layers. Each successive removal of tattoos affects deeper and more ink layers until there is no more.

Patients must be patient between treatments as there is a time frame for your body to flush out the ink that has been smashed from the site of the tattoo. This process for flushing out the ink is a result of immune system cells that phagocytize the ink particles into lymph nodes which are where the pigments stay. Since the body is able to flush out the ink at the speed of a specific amount so it is beneficial to rest for as long as you can between treatments in order to experience the maximum diminishing effects after each treatment. Additionally, waiting lets any blisters or scabs to heal, which reduces the chance of treating too much region and causing undesirable adverse consequences.

A quick overview of the Options

Laser removal of tattoos is the only efficient, non-invasive method to remove unattractive ink. In the past, those who had unwanted tattoos had limited options. They could undergo costly removal procedure (which creates a visible mark) or use a harmful CO2 laser (which also leaves a huge scar) or just have to accept the tattoo.

Today, there is many tattoo removal creams or injections available on the market, however they are all to be kept out of. They are ineffective as they are merely recycled bleaching creams that are unable to penetrate the dermis, where the tattoo ink found. The methods of injection are also suspicious and can cause severe scarring.

Tattoos are in high demand, but regrettable tattoos are high, and laser tattoo removal is the only real solution for tattoos that are not wanted.