Laser Tattoo Removal: Everything you need to know
Tattoos are a form of self-expression, but as time passes, our circumstances, preferences and tastes can change. Many of us have lasting memories – literally engrained into our skin - of that big night out with friends, a spontaneous dare during a summer vacation, becoming who you thought you were supposed to be at one time, or those carefree student days when you longed for self-expression and rebellion. But thankfully, with the advancement of technology, we can erase a bit of the past. Let’s explore everything you need to know about laser tattoo removal.
The Science Behind Laser Tattoo Removal
Just like laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal harnesses the principles of selective photothermolysis, a scientific concept that targets specific tissues while sparing surrounding skin. A high-energy laser delivers targeted light pulses to the tattooed area. The key lies in the interaction between the laser light and the tattoo pigment.
The laser emits light energy at specific wavelengths, which are absorbed by the ink particles within the skin. This absorption causes the tattoo ink to fragment into smaller particles without damaging surrounding tissue. The body's immune system then recognises these fragmented particles as foreign substances and gradually eliminates them through natural processes, such as phagocytosis. That is why drinking lots of water is so important, as you help your body expedite these particles out of your system.
Multiple sessions are required to achieve optimal results. The intervals in between treatments allow the skin to heal and the immune system to clear away the fragmented ink particles. They range between 8 to 12 weeks, depending on factors such as the size and location of your tattoo. The treated area needs to be protected from sun light for at least 4 weeks - like always, SPF is your BFF.
Somewhere over the Rainbow: Which wavelength removes which tattoo ink colour?
Did you know? Different wavelengths of laser light are required to effectively target various colours of tattoo ink, as each pigment absorbs light at different frequencies. Black ink is treated with a wavelength of 1064 nanometres (nm), while blues and greens are tackled with 755 nm. Reds, oranges, yellow, purple and other colours on the spectrum are lasered with 532 nm. The more contrast there is between the tattoo ink and your skin tone, the easier is the removal process, meaning darker tattoos are often easier to remove than light-coloured ones. So where does that leave white ink tattoos?
Tattoo Removal & White Ink:
The challenge with removing white tattoo ink lies in the unique characteristics of the colour itself. Picosecond lasers are exceptionally effective at breaking down darker pigments due to their absorption of specific wavelengths of light. White tattoo ink, however, contains a combination of pigments, including titanium dioxide, which reflects light rather than absorbing it. Since picosecond lasers work by delivering ultra-short pulses of laser light that are absorbed by the tattoo pigment, the reflective nature of white ink makes it more resistant to fragmentation and thus harder for the body's immune system to eliminate.
As a result, white ink tattoos can be notoriously stubborn (if not impossible) to remove. You do not want to risk skin damage or unpredictable ink discolouration either. That’s why it is crucial to have realistic expectations and consult with an expert to understand the potential outcomes of treatment. Luckily, our team of highly skilled skin and beauty therapists is happy to make a professional assessment and a personalised treatment plan.
The Tattoo Removal Experience
Some describe the sensation as the snapping of a rubber band against the skin, a stinging, or as if grease splattering out of a pan touches the skin. These sensations vary per person, depending on their pain tolerance and the size and location of the tattoo. To manage discomfort, we use a cooling device that not only makes the treatment less painful, but it also helps to remove heat from the skin, which reduces the risk of burning, swelling, and injury. The pain usually subsides shortly after the treatment, but the skin will feel warm and may even swell slightly for the a day or two. Cooling the area can help with any discomfort.
Tattoo Removal & Numbing Creme
We are often asked if we apply a topical numbing gel before the treatment. We do not, because even though it might reduce discomfort during the session, it actually works against you: Numbing agents hinder the natural wound-healing process, and therefore result in you needing more treatments than without numbing.
The Healing Process after Tattoo Removal
After the treatment, a soothing wound-healing gel is applied, and the area is covered with a special gauze, which stays on for 3 days. Do not touch, scratch, rub or pick on the treatment area to avoid scarring and infection. Also, avoid friction as much as possible, such as wearing tight clothing or moving too much (no workouts for a few days either!). Help your body recover and remove the fragmented pigment – drink lots of water, eat well, and don’t smoke. Basically, live that healthy lifestyle we all strive for despite our daily challenges and temptations.
Tattoo Removal: The current market
There is still a widespread belief that laser tattoo removal is very expensive – and no wonder, if the players in the market ask for hundreds of Euros for a single treatment of a small tattoo and thousands for large tattoos. But guess what? These days are over. Aever Clinics’ mission is to disrupt the market by offering you permanent ink removal at a fraction of competitors’ prices. We want to bring change, laser clinics shouldn’t break the bank – be it to remove hair, vascular lesions, pigment, or good old tattoos! Check out our prices here.
What Tattoo Removal Lasers Are Out There?
Let’s start with a high-level overview:
Q-Switched Lasers:
- Pros: Effective for dark ink.
- Cons: Unsuitable for colours like green and blue; higher risk of side effects like burning and blistering.
Q-Switched Ruby Lasers:
- Pros: Effective for blue and green ink.
- Cons: Can cause more pain and discomfort than other lasers, not suitable for darker skin tones.
Fractional Lasers:
- Pros: Suitable for a variety of skin tones, reduces downtime because of their less aggressive approach (meaning less powerful laser light pulses).
- Cons: Due to the lower pulse rate, these lasers often require more sessions than others without achieving complete ink removal.
Picosecond Lasers:
- Pros: Significantly shorter light pulses (a picosecond is one trillionth of a second!) and several wavelengths, resulting in faster tattoo removal and the ability to treat various ink colours.
- Cons: Higher cost – until now!
So, picolasers are the most advanced, effective, and safest choice. There are numerous brands, all touting to have developed the best machine, but who is right? Let’s look at the main players: The PicoSure by Cynosure, the PicoPlus by Lutronic, and the PicoWay by Candela. They all share the prefix “pico” because they operate on picosecond technology. The suffix is branding. So far, so confusing.
Tattoo removal with the PicoSure:
The PicoSure laser was the first type of picolaser for tattoo removal, with a 755-nanometre wavelength, which is called Alexandrite. Alexandrite effectively treats colours, especially greens and blues, but black and other colours require a switch of laser handpieces. This switch reduces the laser’s energy, meaning it is less effective in removing darker and non-green and blue colours. It is also worthy to note is that this laser is less effective in removing tattoo ink from darker skin tones. It has a pulse duration of 550 to 750 picoseconds.
Tattoo removal with the PicoPlus:
The PicoPlus advertises its’ combined pico- and nano-second technology – which is just a different way of saying that it treats black ink (picosecond pulses) and colour (nanosecond pulses). It has a pulse duration of 450 picoseconds. Sounds impressive, compared to the PicoSure – but wait for the PicoWay by Candela.
Tattoo removal with the PicoWay:
The PicoWay is an award-winning tattoo removal laser that has a pulse duration of only 300 picoseconds - the uncontested fastest laser in the world. The laser’s energy penetrates the skin so quickly, that it obliterates tattoo ink into tiny particles without creating a thermal, skin damaging effect. It has 4 wavelengths (532 nm, 730 nm, 785 nm and 1064 nm – thus wavelengths), and can thus treat 99% of colours and types of tattoos, including hard-to-remove tattoos as well as unwanted pigmentation or dark spots on the skin. It is also suitable for all skin tones.
Numerous clinical trials and peer-reviewed studies have compared these machines and their effectiveness (read more here or here). The PicoWay laser by Candela was the clear winner, reducing tattoos more effectively in fewer sessions with fewer side effects than the competition. Check out some before and after pictures here.
Which Tattoo Removal Laser Do We Use?
You might have guessed it… At Aever Clinics, we use the Candela PicoWay. It integrates both the Alexandrite and the Nd:YAG technologies, so we can treat all skin tones and 99% of tattoo colours. Due to its superior peak power and quicker, shorter pulse durations, you will spend less time, fewer treatments, and consequently less money on the most successful laser tattoo removal treatment on the market. Our commitment to affordability drives us to provide you with the cutting-edge technology at an unprecedented price.
Tattoo Removal Pre-Care Instructions:
Before you begin, a comprehensive consultation with a qualified practitioner is key. We’ve got you covered – we offer free, non-binding consultations for all our treatments. Together, we review your tattoo, skin tone, medical history, and expectations, ensuring a personalised treatment plan. We also check the size of your tattoo, which is calculated as follows: width (cm) x height (cm) = tattoo size (cm2). So, if your tattoo is 4cm wide and 5cm long, it has a treatment size of 20 cm2.
To optimise the effectiveness of the procedure, it's essential to avoid sun exposure and tanning in the weeks leading up to your laser sessions. Sunburned or tanned skin can pose complications and hinder the laser's efficacy. Avoid intensive skin treatments, such as microneedling or chemical peels. Avoid vitamin A or retinol products a week before your treatment.
Tattoo Removal Post-Care Instructions:
Immediately after your laser tattoo removal session, avoid friction (tight clothes, intense movements) and apply an ice pack to the treated area. This helps alleviate swelling and discomfort, contributing to a smoother healing process.
Sun protection is paramount. Shield the treated area from the sun using clothing or a high SPF sunscreen to prevent hyperpigmentation. This precaution should be maintained throughout the entire healing process. Ensure proper hydration and gentle cleansing of the treated area – but avoid harsh soaps and peelings. Regular moisturising helps the healing process and minimises the risk of scarring.
Lastly, resist the urge to scratch or pick at the treated area to prevent infection. Follow any additional recommendations provided by your skin therapist for the best results.
Tattoo Removal Results – Before & After
Ready to be a blank canvas? The number of sessions varies, influenced by factors such as tattoo size, age, ink colours, and individual skin characteristics. While some tattoos may fade significantly after only a few sessions, complete removal can only be achieved with multiple appointments spaced several weeks apart.
After the first session, it's common to witness some fading and a lightening of the tattoo. By the third or fourth session, considerable progress becomes apparent, as the ink continues to break down. Sessions five to seven often mark a significant turning point, with many people witnessing a substantial reduction in tattoo visibility. As the process advances to sessions eight through ten, the tattoo's remnants fade even further, leaving behind a considerably lighter or nearly invisible mark. Patience is key, as the body's natural processes continue to flush out fragmented ink particles between sessions.
Conclusion
Laser tattoo removal is a remarkable advancement in the world of dermatology, giving us the chance to erase a little bit of our past. In this blog, we have explored the science behind the process, different laser technologies, factors influencing results, and how to care for your tattoo before and after treatments. Every tattoo is unique, different, and deserves a personalised treatment plan. Commitment and patience are part of the equation to success. If you have any questions, that we did not answer here, just pay us a visit. Our experienced skin and beauty therapists are happy to give you a tour or to let you experience a test shot of the PicoWay laser. Anything is possible – just take the first step.
Book your free consultation today!
