What is Laser Tattoo Removal?

Laser tattoo removal makes use of laser treatments to break down the tattoo ink that’s embedded into your skin’s surface. Compared to older forms of unwanted tattoo removal—such as dermabrasion, which removed your skin’s outer layer—these newer treatment methods are less prone to scarring and much more effective.

Treatment for Unwanted Tattoos is Safe When Performed by a Board-Certified Dermatologist

The number of treatments you require for your unwanted tattoo will depend on the following:

• Color of ink
• Amount of ink/size of the tattoo
• Skin type
• Location

A board-certified dermatologist can help determine the most effective form of laser treatment, along with the number of sessions before the desired outcome is reached. Some common forms of laser tattoo removal include:

• Q switched laser therapy
  This form of treatment delivers light beams in ultrashort and high power bursts that cause the tattoo pigment on your skin to break and fragment. Q switched laser treatments are quick and require fewer sessions to achieve your desired results.
• Picosure
  This form of laser tattoo removal uses short pulses of laser beams to break down the pigment in tattoos. In addition, the laser treatment only targets the part of your skin with tattoo ink, leaving your surrounding tissues unchanged—patients who opt for this form of treatment report shorter recovery times and fewer treatment sessions.

Learn more about the tattoo removal procedure here.