Everything you want to know about tattoo removal
Did you get a tattoo that you later regretted? It can be frustrating since a tattoo is supposed to be permanent, right? Well, not necessarily. With the help of treatments or surgery, you can have a tattoo removed. Here’s everything you need to know about laser tattoo removal.
How does tattoo removal work?
In a laser treatment, a beam of light is directed at the tattoo. The ink in the tattoo absorbs the light, breaking down into tiny particles. These particles are then naturally eliminated by your body as waste. There are different laser techniques used for tattoo removal, with the most common being nanosecond lasers and picosecond lasers.
Tattoo removal with a nanosecond laser
The nanosecond laser emits an intense flash of light in one nanosecond, treating the skin. A downside is that this laser struggles to fully remove tattoos with certain metal-containing inks or colours like green and blue. Additionally, tattoos may not completely disappear after treatment. The Q-switched and Yag lasers are popular types of nanosecond lasers.
Tattoo removal with a pico laser
The pico laser is the fastest and safest method for removing tattoos. The laser pulse is 100 times shorter than that of nanosecond lasers, reducing the risk of pigmentation issues or burns. Fewer sessions are typically needed to fully remove a tattoo, and colours like blue and green are easier to remove with a pico laser than with a nanosecond laser.
The Pico Plus 4 laser is ideal for removing colourful tattoos, as it uses four different wavelengths. While this treatment is often more expensive than a nanosecond laser, it generally requires fewer sessions.
Can Every Tattoo Be Lasered Off?
Although tattoos are meant to be permanent, removal or fading is possible, but it’s not an easy process. Multiple treatments may be necessary to allow the body to break down the ink and for the skin to heal properly.
The ease and effectiveness of the treatment depend on factors like your skin tone and the tattoo’s colours. For example, black ink on pale skin is the easiest to remove, while yellow ink on darker skin is much more difficult. Luckily, laser technology improves each year, making the process easier. However, tattoos cannot be lasered off in the first six months after they’re done, as the skin needs time to fully heal from the tattooing process.
