How Do Lasers Remove Tattoos?

Lasers work by producing short pulses of intense light that pass harmlessly through the top layers of the skin to be selectively absorbed by the tattoo pigment. This laser energy causes the tattoo pigment to fragment into smaller particles that are then removed by the body's immune system. Researchers have determined which wavelengths of light to use and how to deliver the laser's output to best remove tattoo ink. (If you're wondering if the laser might also remove normal skin pigment. The laser selectively targets the pigment of the tattoo without damaging the surrounding skin.

Most people imagine that laser tattoo removal involves ?burning? the tattoo out of the skin The reality is much simpler in method and far less painful than most people think

Most people imagine that laser tattoo removal involves ?burning? the tattoo out of the skin. The reality is much simpler in method and far less painful than most people think. Laser tattoo removal is carried out using a simple process of employing short bursts from a laser, which create intense pulses of light. Each pulse passes through the top layers of the skin and is absorbed into the tattoo pigments that sit below. The energy created by the laser breaks up the pigments, which are later removed naturally by the body?s immune system, with the white blood cells ?flushing out? the fragments. Thanks to intensive research carried out over the last few years into the optimum frequency to carry out this operation, the original and natural pigment of the skin remains untouched, minimising scarring.

Laser tattoo removal will not remove the entire tattoo in one go. Because the pigments break up at different intensities, several sessions may be required to remove a tattoo completely. Usually the black pigments clear first because black absorbs all types of laser wavelengths. Other colours only absorb certain wavelengths for example red tattoo ink absorbs green laser light and consequently those specific wavelengths have to be used to remove other colours. There is usually a minimum four week gap between each treatment to allow the immune system to absorb and remove the pigment, so laser surgery isn''t instantaneous ? it may take many months for the treatment to be completed.

Laser tattoo removal sessions are relatively short, usually only lasting a matter of a few minutes. Once the procedure has finished the doctor may dress the area worked on with an antibacterial ointment and sterile dressing to protect the skin against the risk of infection. The area should then be kept clean but not bathed until at least 24 hours after the procedure.