Laser Tattoo Removal in Dark Skin Types

The principal of tattoo removal is destruction of unwanted pigment with minimal collateral damage. This concept is particularly challenging when treating darker skin types as the melanosomes act as competing targets with thc potential to cause epidermal damage. The 1,064-nm wavelength has the least absorption by melanoclyles and is therefore the host choice for laser tattoo removal in darker skin types. There is less risk for hypopigmentation, scarring or textural change. However, the 1,0644-nm wavelength will not treat all tattoo colors. Therefore, one must employ alternate methods for multicolored or densely colored tattoos in dark skin types.

Fractional ablation of tattoos in dark skin types will allow extraction of tattoo pigment particles with minimal risk of scarring or pigmentary change. This concept is particularly useful in dark skin types with in a patient that has demonstrated allergic reaction to the tattoo pigment. For instance, red pigment is the most common known tattoo allergen and can result in a granulomatous reaction. If targeted with a 532-nm wavelength for removal, the pigment can shatter into many smaller particles followed by uptake systemically with the potential for anaphylaxis. To avoid this issue, fractional CO₂ laser can be used for sloughing of the pigment through epidermal loss with limited systemic elimination. Non-fractional CO₂ laser has limited use in this circumstance as it has significant potential to permanently depigment or scar the skin. This was the case in the patient show below:

a) Noted depigmentation after CO2 laser treatment for tattoo removal

b) Noted depigmentation of prior treated area, accomplished with fractional CO2 laser treatment

Benefits of the Use of Q-Switched Lasers for Tattoo Removal

It is well established that the Q-switched lasers are the gold standard in lasers to remove tattoos. Four wavelenghts are now available with Q-switching: frequency-doubled Nd:YAG at 532 nm (5-10 ns), ruby at 694 nm (25-40 ns), alexandrite: at 755 11m (50-100 ns), and Nd:YAG at 1,064 nm (5-10 ns). Comparative studies of the four Q-switched lasers have been reported. Though ruby, alexandrite, and Nd:YAG at 1,064 nm are all effective in dark tattoos, the ruby and the alexandrite have been reported to be somewhat more efficient than Nd:YAG. It is generally thought that Nd:YAG at 1,064 nm may be preferable in darker skin types due to its lower absorption by melanin and its greater tissue penetration. However, a study of Q-switched ruby and Nd:YAG lasers used in treating carbon based tattoos in Fitzpatrick V-VI patients showed mild transient hyperpigmentation with both lasers and mild texture changes with the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The alexandrite is most effective in treating blue and green tattoos and the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG may be effective in red tattoos, though the removal of red tattoos in general is challenging due to lack of appropriately selective wavelengths that are not absorbed by endogenous chromophores.

Before (a) and after (b) 5 laser treatments with QS-YAG 1,064 nm.

	Tattoo colors	Pulse duration (ns)	Wavelength (nm)	Q-switched lasers
	Red	510	532	Nd:YAG
	Black, blue, green	25-40	694	ruby
	Black, blue, green	50-100	755	alexandrite
	Black, blue	510	1064	frequency-doubled Nd:YAG

Blue-black carbon-based amateur tattoos respond best, requiring on the order of 5 sessions of Q-switched ruby, alexandrite, or Nd:YAG at 1,064 nm. In contrast, professional tattoos containing greater pigment density could require 10-15 sessions. Traumatic tattoos, such as gravel particles can also be treated, though their response is less predictable due to the heterogeneous nature of the impacted particles. Caution must be taken with traumatic tattoos induced by gunpowder or fireworks, as the laser impact can cause microexplusions and provoke pox-like scars.

Angelina Jolie Tattoo Removal Before and After Pictures

Actress Angelina Jolie is seen here in 2001 alongside her then husband Billy Bob Thornton, whose first name she had tattooed on her arm.

Jolie and Thornton marriage did not last. After they divorced, Jolie had his name removed from her tattoo, as seen here.

By 2010, Jolie had decided to remove her entire old tattoos and get a new one. The new tattoo lists the latitudes and longitudes of the birthplaces of her children. The old dragon tattoo is still barely visible beneath the new tattoo.

Laser Tattoo Removal and other methods

No one knows when the practice of tattooing the skin began, but Egyptian mummies dating back to 1300 B.C. have shown evidence of blue tattoo marks. Tattooing is accomplished by injecting colored pigment into small deep holes made in the skin. Regardless of who injects the pigment - a tattoo artist or an untrained person the marks or designs are relatively permanent. For various personal reasons, people turn to physicians to have tattoos removed.

Fortunately, there are several methods for tattoo removal which have proven successful. In most cases, however, some scarring or color variations remain. The conspicuousness of these blemishes depends upon several factors including size, location, the individual's healing pro-cess, how the tattoo was applied, and length of time it has been on the skin. A tattoo performed by a more experienced tattoo artist, for example, may be easier to remove since the pigment is evenly injected in the same level of the skin. A tattoo that has been on the skin for a considerable length of time may be more difficult to remove than a new one.

Methods of Tattoo Removal

There are several excellent methods of tattoo removal available today. The method that the physician chooses will depend upon the size of the tattoo and its location as well as the length of time it has been on the skin. How the patient heals may also be a factor in the decision.

Excision

Another popular method of tattoo removal especially when the dyed area is small is by excision. The advantage of this method is that the entire tattoo can be removed. With larger tattoos, however, it may be necessary to excise in stages, removing the center of it initially and the sides at a later date.

Excision involves an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area after which the tattoo is removed surgically. The edges are then brought together and sutured. With this procedure, there is minimal bleeding which is easily controlled with electrocautery. In some cases involving large tattoos, a skin graft taken from another part of the body may be necessary.

Excision

Dermabrasion

Another method of tattoo removal is called dermabrasion in which a small portion of the tattoo is sprayed with a solution that freezes the area. The tattoo is then "sanded" with a rotary abrasive instrument causing the skin to peel. Because some bleeding is likely to occur, a dressing is immediately applied to the area.

Dermabrasion

Laser

In recent times, many physicians consider laser surgery one of the best methods of tattoo removal . Today, the Q-switched Nd:Yag, Q-switched Alexandrite and the Q-switched Ruby are among the most frequently used lasers today for the removal of unwanted tattoos. They are all employed in a similar manner. If necessary, a cream to numb the skin can be applied prior to the treatment. Pulses of light from the laser are directed onto the tattoo breaking up the tattoo pigment. Over the next several weeks the body's scavenger cells remove the treated pigmented areas. More then one treatment is usually necessary to remove all of the tattoo.

Laser Tattoo Removal

Salabrasion

Salabrasion, a procedure which is centuries old, is a method still sometimes used today to remove tattoos. As with the other methods, a local anesthetic is used on and around the tattooed area after which a solution of ordinary tap water dipped in table salt is applied. An abrading apparatus such as the one used with dermabrasion, or an even simpler device such as a wooden block wrapped in gauze, is used to vigorously abrade the area. When the area becomes deep red in color, a dressing is applied.

Salabrasion

 What Results Can Be Expected?

Regardless of which method of tattoo removal is used, some scarring or color variations are likely to remain. Healing time varies depending upon the size and depth of the tattoo, the proce-dure used and the patient's healing process. It is important for the patient to discuss with the physician the various procedures, how they are performed, and the probable results. Care of the treated area must also be discussed.

Laser Tattoo Removal of Black Ink

Black, carbon based, tattoo ink is the easiest ink to remove via laser tattoo removal because black it absorbs the full spectrum of light, while green, blue, red, and other colors require more targeted laser pulses. This patient needed just a few treatments to get an excellent result.

Laser Tattoo Removal Before After Pic

The laser device fragments the ink with short pulses of intense, concentrated laser light. The method of delivery and the wavelengths used are designed to target only the tattooed pigments, without affecting the surrounding pigments and layers of skin. Different laser lights are used for different ink colors.

Henna Tattoo Removal

Unlike standard tattoos, henna tattoos are temporary. They can vary in color, being either natural (reddish-brown color ink) or the more popular black henna tattoos. While henna is temporary, it isn’t like applying one of those cute little temporary tattoos that can be removed with baby oil or nail polish remover or just scrubbing.

Henna Tattoo

Area where you used the Henna and the color of the Henna are two important factors how long the henna stain is going to last or to remove. Henna tattoos applied to the hands or the arms or the neck will usually fade in a few days, possibly a week. The Henna tattoos applied to the feet or back are going to last longer because the skin in those areas is usually thicker and not as well moisturized.

You can do a few easy things to remove these tattoos:

1. Henna designs fade as you naturally shed the outer layer of your skin. Therefore using a scrubber and a soap over the tattoo will cause the tattoo to remove quickly.

2. Soaking the skin in salt water or chlorinated water ( pool or tub ) for at 10 - 15 minutes will help in dissolving a little of the ink.

3. Sweat helps to exfoliate the skin quickly. Start exercising, the more you sweat the quicker you will remove the tattoo out.

4. Some people also apply exfoliating creams to the tattoo area. Some also use Hydrogen Peroxide. Hydrogen Peroxide can be applied to the area with a cotton ball. However, please remember that this has worked for some people and not for others.

Laser Tattoo Removal in Vascular Regions

Tattoos located in very vascular areas (like the face, neck, scalp, etc) often respond to laser tattoo removal very well. A few laser tattoo removal treatments is enough to completely remove the tattoo. If the same tattoo was located on a more distal area (foot, hand, ankle, etc) it would take more treatments to remove.

Laser Tattoo Removal Before and After Pictures

Here are some excellent examples of before and after pictures following laser tattoo removal.

Simple tattoos can be removed in only one or two sessions

Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Tattoo Removal

How are tattoos removed?
Q-switched lasers are used at Laser Tattoo Removal Clinic and are effective and safe. Earlier methods involved the use of dermabrasion, salibrasion, surgery etc, but these methods left behind scarring or lighter skin in place of the tattoo. Also commonly seen on the internet are tattoo removal creams—which do not work.

Tattoo Cover Make Up

Tattoo cover makeup is a temporary method of hiding your tattoos using special make up called tattoo concealers. There are several reasons for people to do so.They might do it when they have job interview or they might want to hide it from anyone’s sight. Most Hollywood actresses and actors have also used the special makeup to cover up their tattoos, especially when the job requires them to do so. Well, covering tattoo is not difficult at all, as long as they know what products to use and what to do to cover it.

Laser Tattoo Removal Cost

Laser tattoo removal cost is expensive. But the cost has gone down, one of the reasons that the cost of laser tattoo removal has gone down in the last few years is because there are more places are now offering this service.

Tattoo Removal Creams, do they really work?

Tattoo removal creams like Wrecking Balm, Tat B Gone, Ink Busters, etc which are widely available online. But they really work as they claim?

Laser Tattoo Removal

Laser removal is the most common method of tattoo removal these days. Laser tattoo removal employs a special type of laser called a Q-switched laser, which uses a process called selective photothermolysis.

Tattoo Removal - Reasons

There are a lot of reasons for possibly wanting a tattoo removed. These reasons for removal cover a wide range of personal, social, cultural, physical and medical aspects.