

The intent is to remove the layers of the skin that contain the ink particles, thereby removing the tattoo. Dermabrasion tattoo removalĭermabrasion is a surgical method of tattoo removal that involves the use of a medical grinding tool that is used to remove the outer layers of the skin in a controlled manner. These methods include dermabrasion, chemical peels and surgical excision of the tattoo. Other methods of tattoo removal are more invasive than laser removal and are therefore less commonly performed today. Typically, healing is complete around five days after the procedure is done. Typical post procedure care of the wound includes cleaning it with soap and water daily, applying antibiotic ointment to the wound and then keeping it covered with some type of dressing until it is healed. Most of the time laser tattoo removal is tolerated very well.Īfter the procedure the patient will have an open wound that will need to be taken care of.

Topical skin numbing medications can be used. Many patient describe it as like having a heavy rubber band snapped against the skin repeatedly.

Laser tattoo removal is somewhat painful. There should be a six-week time period between each laser session to allow the wounds to heal and the body to absorb as much of the ink as is possible. Some colors of ink are harder to remove than others and may not be able to be completely removed. Laser tattoo removal typically requires more than one treatment to reduce the size of the ink particles and make it easier for them to be dispersed by the immune system.ĭepending on the tattoo design, size and color, it may take 1-10 laser sessions to remove the ink. Laser treatments work by targeting the ink particles in the skin with highly concentrated light waves that heat up the ink particles and cause them to fragment into smaller particles that are able to be cleared away by the body's immune system.Ĭomplete removal of a tattoo is usually not accomplished in one laser treatment session. The use of lasers helps to break up these particles into smaller pieces that can be removed by the immune system. Tattoo ink particles are too big to be removed by this system and are thus considered permanent. The normal human immune system typically removes small foreign particles from the skin. Tattoos consist of thousands of particles of tattoo ink suspended in the skin. Lasers are the most common method of tattoo removal performed today. How does tattoo removal work? Laser tattoo removal Tattoo removal can be achieved in a number of ways, ranging from laser treatments, chemical peels, dermabrasion and surgical excision.
