Tattoo removal Continued
Tattoo Removal by Laser
Lasers used in tattoo removal use short flashes of light, with the exact type of laser depending on the color of the ink. Yellow and green tattoo ink are the most difficult colors to remove, while black and blue are the easiest. Today, there are three main types of lasers used for tattoo removal, and the technique has been named Q-switching.
The laser is able to harmlessly pass through the top layers of skin and fragment the ink particles into very small pieces that are then naturally carried away by the body. The fine-tuning of the laser allows for only specific colors of ink to be destroyed without damaging the natural pigment of the skin.
Before the actual procedure, the doctor may recommend that a mild painkiller be taken. Approximately two hours before the laser tattoo removal, an anesthetic cream may be applied to the skin – or, a local anesthetic can be injected into the area. Some patients go without any anesthetic at all. The laser procedure will take a few hours at a time, with three weeks passing between sessions to allow the ink to be carried away and absorbed. The skin will feel slightly irritated and become red, but should not have any severe damage. The area will gradually fade and should eventually appear normal.
Side Effects of Tattoo Removal
While the side effects of surgical tattoo removal can involve drastic scarring and severe scar tissue, the ubiquitous use of laser tattoo removal has led to the near elimination of these problems. Side effects of laser tattoo removal may include tenderness, redness, or scabbing; infection is also a possibility. After the procedure, the skin may become hyperpigmented and darker than normal, or hypopigmentation, completely devoid of color. In some cases, the pigment may not be removed completely and persist in the skin.
By Kira Lee
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