Laser Tattoo Removal by Dermatologists

Beauty Advice from Dermatologists

Cosmetic Procedures :: Tattoo Removal

Featured Dermatologists

Mona Foad, M.D.

Gerald Goldberg, M.D.

Nelson Lee Novick, M.D.

Learn about Laser Tattoo Removal from Dr. Todd Minars Todd Minars, M.D.

Laser Tattoo Removal

Some people with tattoos may later choose to have one or all of them removed. Fortunately, there are safe and effective methods to successfully remove tattoos.

Because the location, color, shape and size of each tattoo is unique, the removal procedure must be personalized to suit each person. For instance, tattoos applied by non-professionals may be more difficult to remove because the dye may penetrate different layers of skin, whereas professionally-applied tattoos are usually more uniform. Darker inks (deep blue or black) are more difficult to remove than colored inks. Some newer inks and colors may be difficult to remove entirely.

The most common methods for removing tattoos are:

• Laser surgery: The type of laser used depends upon the colors of the tattoo. In most cases, multiple treatments will be required.
• Dermabrasion
• Surgical excision, during which the tattoo is removed with a scalpel and the wound is closed with stitches.


Before	After 2 treatments	After 4 treatments	After 6 treatments

Laser Techniques

Q-Switched Nd-YAG Laser: Utilizes a high intensity infrared or green light pulsed in a rapid manner. It works by exploding apart pigment particles under the skin into smaller and smaller particles with each treatment. Removal may require as many as 4-8 Laser treatment sessions at approximately 6 week intervals for optimal or complete removal. This Laser is excellent for tattoos that are dark blue and black or red in color, but does poorly in removing green and yellow pigment.


Before	After

Q-Switched Ruby Laser: This Laser works on a similar principal as the Q-Swtiched Nd-YAG Laser. The Ruby Laser is ideal for dark pigment and works well to remove green pigment.

Alexandrite Laser: Similar in principle to the other Q-Switched Lasers, this Laser has a broad application for the removal of most tattoo pigments and is excellent to remove tattoos with dark black, blue or green colors.

Versapulse Laser: This Laser has an Nd-YAG and an Alexandrite Laser built in which enables us to treat with green, red and infrared light. Tattoos with any combination of black, blue, green and/or red pigments can usually be treated effectively with this one device.

CO2 and Ebrium:YAG Lasers: These Lasers are used to create an abrasion of the skin to remove pigment more efficiently in difficult to treat tattoos, but are more apt to leave a scar.

Learn more about Laser Tattoo Removal from Gerald Goldberg, M.D. of Pima Dermatology in Tucson, Arizona.

How it Works

Lasers and other light therapy devices, such as the Infrared Coagulater (IRC), are the treatments of choice today. Lasers work by emitting short, intense pulses of light that pass through the skin and target the ink. The energy from the laser light fragments the large particles of tattoo pigment enabling the body's natural immune system to more easily scavenge the pigment and carry it away. This process usually takes several weeks, and multiple treatment sessions are often necessary to achieve maximal clearing.

Since black pigment absorbs all wavelengths of light, it is ironically the easiest pigment to remove. Colors, such as green, do not absorb as well, and sometimes a variety of lasers, with varying wavelengths, are needed to effectively treat a multicolored tattoo.

Potential complications include permanent scarring, temporary or permanent loss of pigment or excessive pigmentation. Fees for laser treatments may range from $1000-$3000 or more, depending upon the number of treatment sessions required, and the size, shape, colors, and location of the particular tattoo. Learn more about Tattoo Removal from Nelson Lee Novick, M.D.

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