How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?
One in four Australians has a tattoo. More and more people are getting tattoos, but an increasing number regret their decision to go under the needle. Over one in five inked Australians regret getting a tattoo.
If you’re one of those people experiencing tattoo regret, the good news is that laser tattoo removal is faster and more effective than ever before.
So how does laser tattoo removal work?
Before we can answer that question, it’s important to know how tattoo ink becomes permanent in the first place.
Why Are Tattoos Permanent?
When a tattoo is applied, the ink is injected into the deeper layers of the dermis. By depositing ink into the deep layers of skin, the ink particles aren’t shed as the outer layers of skin regenerates.
Ink particles are also too large for white blood cells to absorb. As the body heals following the tattoo application, the skin cells repair around the ink. Once the healing process is complete, the tattoo ink becomes permanently etched into the skin.
The Laser Tattoo Removal Process Explained
As the name suggests, laser tattoo removal involves a trained practitioner guiding a laser across the tattoo area. The laser used for tattoo removal produces short pulses of intense light energy.
These pulses of light energy penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and are absorbed by the tattoo ink. The intense energy causes the ink particles to heat up and explode into tiny fragments within a fraction of a second.
After the treatment, the body flushes away the tiny ink particles into the lymphatic system, where they are released through urine. Over a series of treatments, the tattoo will fade until all maximum amount can be removed.
Can You Remove Coloured Tattoos?
Yes. Coloured ink was difficult to remove using older laser technology, but the PicoSure and RevLite lasers allow us to target and almost remove all hues.
Different colours of tattoo absorb and reflect light wavelengths at different rates. To remove coloured tattoos, your practitioner will need to use a range of 532nm, 755nm, and 1064 nm wavelengths.
Even stubborn greens and blues can be removed using PicoSure laser technology.
How Long Does It Take For Laser Tattoo Removal to Work?
Laser tattoo removal does not provide instant results. It may take between 2 and 10 plus sessions to remove or fade a tattoo, depending on the tattoo’s size and colour. Treatments will need to be spaced at least 6 weeks apart to maximise the results of each session and to allow for sufficient skin healing.
During a laser tattoo removal treatment, the top layers of tattoo ink will absorb the laser energy, but the deeper layers may not be affected. Once the top layers of ink have been shattered and flushed away by the immune system, the deeper layers of tattoo ink can be targeted in the next laser session. With each treatment, the tattoo will fade and become lighter.
It’s important to give your body enough time to flush away the shattered ink particles between treatments. This will ensure you get the maximum benefit from each session and help to avoid any side effects.
Does Laser Tattoo Removal Hurt?
There’s a misconception that laser tattoo removal is extremely painful. While it does involve discomfort, most clients report that it hurts far less than they expected. It’s often considered to be similar to the sensation of getting a tattoo applied.
Here at b clinic, we use a Zimmer Cryo 6 cooling system to cool the skin before and during the laser tattoo removal treatment. If you have high pain sensitivity, a topical anaesthetic can also be applied to minimise discomfort.
We use advanced laser technology that allows our practitioners to cover a large area quickly. A large tattoo may take less than 30 minutes per session, while a smaller cosmetic tattoo on the eyebrow will only require a few minutes.
Coloured tattoos may take longer per session due to the laser wavelength needing to be switched to target the different colours.
Is Laser Tattoo Removal Safe?
Yes. Laser removal is considered the safest form of tattoo removal. When performed by a trained laser technician, the risk of side effects or complications is minimal.
During your free consultation at b clinic, you will be asked about your medical history to determine your suitability for laser treatment. Laser tattoo removal is a non-invasive procedure suitable for the vast majority of adults in good health.
Does Tattoo Removal Leave Scars?
No. When performed by a trained laser technician, there is very little chance of laser tattoo removal causing scarring. If the skin was scarred during the initial tattoo application, it might become more noticeable as the ink is removed.
It’s important that you follow all of the aftercare instructions to take care of your skin and reduce the risk of scarring following each laser treatment.
Laser Tattoo Removal Aftercare
After a laser tattoo removal session, you may experience some mild redness, swelling, and tenderness. The sensation is often compared to the effects of mild sunburn.
Following and between each treatment, you should avoid prolonged sun exposure, heat, and swimming. It’s recommended that you avoid any strenuous exercise, hot showers, or saunas during the first few days post-treatment or until the skin is healed.
The healing process is generally much easier and more manageable than when your tattoo was first applied. Here’s an article on what you should expect after a laser removal treatment.
Is Laser Tattoo Removal Getting Better?
Laser tattoo removal is now much more effective and kinder to the skin. Here at b clinic, we use the most advanced PicoSure and RevLite laser technology for tattoo removal.
The lasers produce powerful pulses of light energy that last for a tiny fraction of a second. The technology is designed to target the small particles of tattoo ink without causing damage to the larger surrounding skin cells.
Short pulses of light energy shatter the tattoo ink particles without heating and causing trauma to the surrounding tissue.
Are There Any Alternatives to Laser Tattoo Removal?
Laser tattoo removal is the only effective way to get rid of unwanted tattoos non-surgically.
The only solutions that get comparable results is to undergo surgery or powerful CO2 laser treatments. Both of these options result in painful side effects and usually leave some scarring.
There is a range of tattoo removal creams and serums, but there is no evidence to support the claims that these products remove tattoo ink. Because the tattoo ink is applied to the deeper layer of the dermis, topical creams cannot penetrate and break up the ink particles.
The most popular and most effective way to get rid of unwanted ink is laser tattoo removal.
Laser Tattoo Removal at b clinic
Here at b clinic, we use the most advanced laser technology to remove unwanted tattoos safely. Our PicoSure and Revlite Q-switched lasers can remove large body tattoos and smaller cosmetic tattoos on all skin tones. Schedule a free consultation today.