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Is Tattoo Removal Right For You?

Tattoo removal is a process, through the application of laser light, to slowly break apart the ink pigments that make up a tattoo. During each treatment session, a laser beam is pulsed toward the tattoo area so that the ink pigments absorb the laser light. The pulses of light cause the ink pigments to break into tiny particles, which are then removed from the body through the natural immune process.

The Best Candidates for Laser Tattoo Removal

The best candidates are those with fair to medium completion who have dark pigmented tattoos and for which ink was applied sparingly and in the more superficial layers of the skin. Dark inks, particularly black, are easiest to remove because they absorb a wider range of laser wavelengths and thus can be targeted with more light energy. The lighter color inks absorb only a narrow range of light energy and thus must be specifically targeted by more intense narrow wavelength lasers in order to impart enough energy to break the pigments into tiny particles.

Because the ultimate removal of the pigment particles is dependent on the body's natural immune system, areas with high levels of circulation, such as the legs and back, have higher success rates with fewer treatment sessions. Areas of low circulation, such as fingers and feet, typically respond more poorly to treatment.

Treatment Sessions

Treatment sessions are typically separated by four to eight weeks, with each session lasting only a few minutes. During each successive session, the laser energy is directed to deeper and deeper layers of skin, until the bottom most layer of the tattoo is targeted. Tattoo removal may require up to 10 treatment sessions. After treatment, an anti-bacterial cream or ointment may be recommended and a mild anesthetic may be prescribed to ease any discomfort. If swelling exists, then it is recommended to elevate the treated area.

The cost for laser tattoo removal can range anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the darkness of the ink, the number of inks used and the depth of the tattoo. A skin care doctor can determine if you are a candidate for this procedure and provide an idea of cost and expected results.

To learn more about cosmetic surgery or skin care treatment, such as Botox injections, laser hair removal or scar removal treatments, please visit other pages of our website.