Med Spa - Laser Treatments

Laser Tattoo Removal

Laser tattoo removal targets the tattoo pigment with short bursts of high-intensity light from a laser. There are different kinds of lasers for different colors of ink (e.g. ruby, alexandrite, and nd:yag lasers). Most of the lasers used are "Q-switched". Q-switched lasers produce very short but very intense pulses of light.

The laser penetrates the skin, directly targeting the tattoo pigment, but sparing surrounding tissue from damage. The pulses of light from a Q-switched laser are so brief that it takes many pulses to cover the entire area of the tattoo. Thus, depending on the size of the tattoo, treatment times can vary from about 10 minutes to 30 minutes for small to medium sized tattoos. Larger tattoos may obviously take longer to treat.

Repeat treatments spread out by a few weeks or months are typically best since the body's removal of the ink which is broken down by the laser takes time. Understanding the process is important so that treatments are done at optimal intervals for satisfactory results.

Who is a candidate for Laser Tattoo Removal? Individuals with fair skin and superficially placed tattoos on the arms, chest, buttocks or legs are the best candidates. Tattoos on dark skinned individuals, or tattoos on the ankles or fingers, areas where there is less body fat, are the most difficult to treat and results are more variable. A thorough discussion with a tattoo removal specialist can better determine the potential success rate of laser tattoo removal for any given tattoo and skin type. Consulting with a professional and reputable tattoo removal specialist who is experienced and understands the procedure is important to ensure proper treatment and candidacy.

What determines the success of Tattoo Removal? Complete removal of a tattoo is based on several things. The size, location, application, age, and color of the tattoo all factor in, as well as the health of the patient and thus their body’s ability to heal. Newer tattoos are generally more difficult to remove.

How long does each treatment take? Laser treatment usually does not take more than a few minutes, yet this time frame varies greatly depending on the tattoo. However, multiple sessions are required to remove most tattoos. The multiple sessions are usually split over 4-8 week periods, depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo.

How many treatment sessions are required? Most simple tattoos are removed in 2-4 treatments scheduled about 4-8 weeks apart. Removing complex tattoos often requires a series of treatments spaced approximately 8 or more weeks apart. Professional tattoos usually require 6-10 treatments for complete clearing. A large, professional color tattoo can cost thousands of dollars to remove, and the success of the procedure may not be guaranteed.