Laser Tattoo Removal

IPL – Intense Pulsed Light Therapy does not involve lasers,but the two processes are similar. IPL has been used to treat and removeirregularities in the skin such as birthmarks, hair, discolorations etc. Theadvantages of tattoo removal with IPL include the short recovery time (there isa no burning and very little sensitivity), and patients need to wait only 3-4weeks between treatments. The greatest advantage is that most tattoos can beremoved with only 3-4 sessions. The drawback is the expense - IPL can cost $10and more per pulse.

The Process starts with a consultation with a dermatologist.Be sure to choose one who is experienced in the removal of tattoos. Thepractitioner can give you a good estimate of how many visits you may requireand what end results you can expect based upon the size, age and color (orcolors) of your tattoo. Remember, however, that the estimate may not be exact.There are around 100 different tattoo inks in use today, and some can be removedmore easily than others.

The Pain of the laser pulse is most often compared to thesensation of having hot grease spattered on the skin, hair removed byextraction or to being repeatedly snapped with a rubber band. Some people don’ttake anything against the pain, but the dermatologist can supply a topical skincream that will numb the area, or even inject local anesthesia. You might alsotake an over the counter painkiller like acetaminophen (found in Tylenol®)prior to the procedure. Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (found inAdvil®) are not recommended, as they may result in bruising.

The Procedure usually lasts 15-30 minutes per session. Itinvolves laser pulses passing through the epidermis of your skin and into thedermis, where the tattoo ink absorbs the light energy. Over the following threeto six weeks, the skin naturally removes the ink, which has been fragmented bythe laser energy. A low-grade inflammation may occur after each procedure; thishas been compared to mild sunburn, and any discomfort usually passes within afew days. After the skin has rested and the immune system has done its job(usually after 4-8 weeks), the patient is ready for another visit to thedermatologist.

The Professionally applied tattoo may be easier to removethan an amateur tattoo, or it may be more difficult. A good tattoo artist willapply all of the ink evenly in the same level of the dermis, which makesremoval more predictable. But the newer inks found in tattoo parlors may alsobe brighter and more difficult to remove. Black, blue and red inks are mostresponsive to lasers and easiest to remove. Tattoos with green and yellow inksare the most resistant. Old tattoos may be easier to remove than new ones, asthe inks can fade over time.

The Price and the total time involved depends on the size,age, and color of the tattoo. Each laser removal session can cost from$200-$1500, depending upon your practitioner. Most insurance companies don’tcover tattoo removal, since it is considered a cosmetic procedure. Some tattooscan be removed in 6-8 sessions, while others may require 16-18 sessionsspanning over two years or more. As you can see, the removal of a tattoo can bequite costly in money and in time, but it can be worth the expense.