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 easily 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, don't worry. The laser selectively targets the pigment of the tattoo without damaging the surrounding skin.
At Silky Skin Laser, the Q-switched Nd: YAG Lasers have become the standard treatment for tattoo removal because they offer a bloodless, low risk, effective alternative with minimal side effects. Each procedure is done on an outpatient basis in a series of visits.

The Q-switched Nd: YAG is now considered the "state of the art" laser for tattoo removal because it effectively removes almost all colors of ink found in tattoos.

Does Tattoo Removal Hurt and What Can I Expect?

To provide as pleasant experience as possible, our laser technicians will show you how to apply a high powered anesthetic cream one to two hours before the laser tattoo removal session. It is wiped off just before laser surgery begins. Some patients say they don't need this at all. Then pulses of light from the laser are directed onto the tattoo.

Most treatments only take minutes and multiple sessions are required. The number of sessions depends mainly on the color of the ink used. 4 to 6 week intervals between sessions are required to allow your body time to absorb the pigment residue completely.

Are there complications usually?

Side effects of laser procedures are generally few but may include hyper pigmentation, or an abundance of color in the skin at the treatment site, and hypo pigmentation where the treated area lacks normal skin color. Other possible side effects include infection of the site and a 5 percent chance of permanent scarring.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Tattoo?

How many treatments will it take to remove my tattoo?

Unfortunately, it is difficult to predict exactly how many treatments it will take to work because it depends on many factors.
Depth of tattoo ink, colour and composition of the ink have a direct effect on
the number of treatments.
A general rule of thumb is that it takes 10 visits for red and black to be removed and 10-20 visits for more difficult colors like yellow and sky blue.