Can Tattoos be 100% Removed with Laser Technology?
Certainly, it’s a big question that can come to anyone’s mind, especially if he or she has a tattoo and wants to get rid of it. Of course, laser technology has significantly advanced over the years. It is able to remove ink from your skin as if it were never there. But the question is: can it remove 100% of it?
In this regard, the Archives of Dermatology studied and found that approximately 72% of patients were able to fade tattoos, with 47% witnessing over 95% cleared skin.
Research published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine revealed that nearly 75% of patients were happy with their stain removal results, even if they were not completely erased.
These studies outline the fact that some metrics like a tattoo’s size, colour, age, and skin type can impact results. This post will explain each aspect to all.
The Science Behind Laser Tattoo Removal
Aesthetic doctors and professionals understand that laser tattoo removal is effective when they target the ink particles with high-intensity light beams. Certainly, laser beams are able to break down those particles into small fragments. Once split, the body’s immune system gradually absorbs that ink, and you see the tattoo disappearing in weeks. This is how the laser tattoo removal procedure goes on or works.
Typically, satisfactory results cannot be achieved in a session. You need multiple sessions, which are decided on the basis of several factors. Let’s throw some light on them below:
Ink Colour:
Colour makes a big impact. Black and dark blue colours are the easiest to get rid of. This is simply because these colours absorb all wavelengths of laser light. The trouble starts when it is any light-coloured ink like green, yellow, or red. They need specific wavelengths of laser to make the surface free from tattoos.
Ink Depth
If the ink is deeply penetrated into the skin, it won’t be easy to make it stain-free.
Age of Tattoo
Considering how long you have that tattoo on your skin, doctors ensure if it will be removed or not. The older it is, the easier it is to remove. The obvious reason is that the ink itself starts breaking down as days pass.
Skin Type
Those who have a lighter skin tone can typically see satisfactory results. On the flip side, darker skin would need more laser energy, which can damage the skin.
These are some typical factors that you cannot ignore. Even doctors pay close attention to them.
Can tattoos be 100% removed?
Certainly, they can be significantly faded. But achieving 100% success in it can be challenging. A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology reveals that a 100% removal is possible in 75% of cases. But again, it differs from person to person. Some tattoos leave a shadowy tint or ghost image when removed. This is the case when stubborn ink is there, or dense ink is used by the tattoo artist.
Laser treatment options for tattoo removal
Now that you know about the ink or stains, let’s introduce you to laser treatments for tattoo removal. Each type of laser has its own pros and cons.
Q-Switched Lasers
Q-switched lasers are extremely popular because they involve powerful laser beams that can effortlessly shatter ink into tiny particles. This technology leverages different wavelengths so that ink colours can be removed, no matter how deep the ink is. Here are three types of Q-switched lasers:
- Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser (1064 nm): It is mainly used to dissolve black and dark blue inks.
- Q-Switched Ruby Laser (694 nm): This type of laser technology can help you get rid of green and blue inks effectively.
- Q-Switched Alexandrite Laser (755 nm): It is effective on green, black, and blue inks to erase.
Picosure Lasers
The picosure tattoo removal technology is relatively new and can release laser energy in picoseconds, which is one trillionth of a second. This advanced laser technology can dissolve ink particles more effectively, which gradually fade away after a series of laser treatments. It has evolved to specifically remove stubborn colours like green and blue from the surface.
Combination Treatments
Sometimes, one type of laser won’t prove sufficient because the tattoo may have multiple colours. In this case, a combination of different types of lasers can be used to deliver better results. For example, Q-switched laser eliminates black and dark blue inks, whereas picosecond laser emits high-intensity laser beams to target any remaining stains.
The Laser Tattoo Removal Process
This procedure involves a series of steps.
Consultation
The procedure is initiated with consultation. An individual can consult his or her requirements with a dermatologist or laser specialist. He or she will examine the tattoo and consider factors like its size, colour, location, and the patient’s skin type. Once the assessment is over, the specialist shares the best treatment plan.
Treatment Sessions
The number of sessions widely varies. They can range from as few as 3-5 for small, black tattoos to 10 or more for larger, multiple-coloured ones. And each session can be typically spaced between 6 and 8 weeks apart, which gives the skin sufficient time to heal. Over time, the body’s immune system flushes out the broken-down ink particles.
Post-Treatment Care
Like other non-invasive skin treatments, proper aftercare is crucial. It is helpful in avoiding contagious conditions like infection and, sometimes, scarring. That’s why skin specialists recommend the treated area be clean. He or she suggests specific ointments and avoiding sun exposure.
A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology indicates that adverse effects such as hypopigmentation (which is the lightening of the skin) are noticed in about 10% of patients. But scarring was rare, affecting less than 1%.
Advances and Innovations in Laser Tattoo Removal
This aesthetic science is continuously evolving, and new technologies and techniques are being invented to improve results. Here are some examples of it:
- Fractional Lasers: Also called resurFX, this laser technology causes microscopic injuries in the skin. The injuries stimulate the body’s natural healing process, which eventually flushes out the stubborn ink particles from the skin.
- Laser-assisted drug delivery
This technique is revolutionary and is done by creating micro-channels in the skin. Through these channels, topical agents penetrate deep layers. This process triggers the breakdown of tattoo ink.
- Nanosecond Lasers
As the name suggests, these lasers penetrate laser beams in nanoseconds, which is one billionth of a second. It helps in measuring its potential to remove tattoos if it is more effective than traditional Q-switched lasers.
Likewise, advancements are continuously rolling out in the aesthetic industry.
Conclusion
Tattoos can be removed 100% of the time, of the time, provided that all conditions correspond to laser treatments. These conditions are actually considered factors like ink colour, depth, age of the tattoo, and skin type that can collectively impact the result. However, aesthetic science has evolved advanced laser technologies like Q-switched lasers, picosecond lasers, fractional lasers, nanosecond lasers, etc. These advanced technologies are able to remove stubborn stains from your skin naturally, without pain or minimal downtime. However, the sessions can be 3-5 or more, depending on the size of your tattoo.
