Can Lasers Completely Remove Tattoos?
Unfortunately, there’s no undo button that can magically clear your skin of an unwanted tattoo, but getting laser tattoo removal performed by an experienced and Certified Laser Specialist (CLS) is the next best thing.
If you’ve ever read any of our other blogs, you know that we say “every individual and every tattoo is different,” and that’s because it’s true! There are so many factors that will play into the success of removing your tattoo.
We’ll walk you through just what those factors are and answer some other important questions that can help give you a better idea of what to expect.
Can lasers completely remove a tattoo?
The good news is that with our background (a combined experience of over 50 years of laser tattoo removal), we are averaging a 95-98% of black ink clearance. Typically, when you reach these percentages of clearance, the tattoo is not noticeable to others.
If you’re more of a visual learner, take a moment to browse through our Before and After gallery to see what we’ve been able to do with tattoos of all different colors, shades, sizes, etc. You’ll see tons of examples of tattoos we were able to clear!
What colors can a laser remove from my skin?
Certain pigments are certainly easier to remove — black ink and darker colors absorb the laser more than other colors making it easier to break up those pigments. On the other hand, fluorescent colors are the least responsive to treatment. However, thanks to our advanced technology and experience, we can handle all types of colors. Keep in mind that the type of ink that was used in your tattoo can affect the results too.
Some inks create a paradoxical reaction causing the skin to become darker instead of lighter. Your specialist will advise you on what to expect based on your particular tattoo, which is why a consultation is so important to your experience!
Darker Colors Break Up Best
Just as fluorescent colors tend to reflect more of the laser light, reducing its effectiveness at breaking up ink particles in those hues, the converse also is true: darker colors absorb more of the laser light–hence, more of its energy–allowing it to more powerfully shatter apart those ink particles to a size the body can then simply flush away naturally.
How do lasers remove tattoos?
The idea of a laser can be intimidating to first-time clients, but the important thing to keep in mind is that the laser will go after the ink and not your skin.
The laser targets the ink pigment by delivering light at very high energy for just a fraction of a second. This breaks up the large tattoo pigments which will later be carried out of your body, naturally over a period of time. Because your immune system will play a large part in getting rid of the tattoo, it’s crucial that you follow proper aftercare as well as take good care of yourself to ensure a successful process. Staying hydrated, eating well, getting good sleep, etc., are all great ways to help move the tattoo removal process along.
Can I prepare for laser tattoo removal?
As we mentioned above, staying healthy is one of the absolute best ways that you can prepare for your laser tattoo removal! In addition to this, you can also get some supplies ready to have on hand at home, so you don’t have to make any pharmacy runs post-treatment. Keeping items like comfortable and loose clothing (depending on where your tattoo is located), Aquaphor, and bandages at the ready can make recovery a breeze.
However, our most important tip for anyone seeking laser tattoo removal is to do your research on the place where you choose to get your removal. Some essential questions to ask before ever letting anyone take a laser to your tattoo are:
- How many years of experience do you have?
- Are you certified in laser tattoo removal?
- What laser do you use?
- Do you have any before and after pictures that are your work? (Make sure they are from the same laser and clinic, too).
We have previously written about the important questions to ask when choosing a laser tattoo removal specialist and why it matters. Ultimately, you must make the choice that is safest and most comfortable for you!
During your free consultation with your Certified Laser Specialist, we’ll be able to walk through your questions, get to know your tattoo and history, and help set your expectations for the entire process. During this session, we’ll examine your tattoo and skin type and be able to better provide you with a detailed plan about what we can do for your tattoo removal.
MEDermis Laser Clinic Can Help!
Your tattoo was made to be permanent so make sure you enlist the help of a pro to guide you through the removal process. We’re proud to have been serving clients in Austin and San Antonio longer than any other clinic in the entire southwest region of the U.S. Contact us today to schedule your FREE consultation!