Laser tattoo removal is quickly becoming a popular aesthetic procedure for patients across all demographics. Tattoo regret is a common experience for many Americans, and laser removal is the only solution for removing ink without permanent side effects or scarring.
Laser tattoo removal works by sending light energy into the skin, heating up the tattoo ink particles, and shattering them. Then, over the following weeks, the body’s lymphatic system gradually flushes the fragmented tattoo ink particles away from the site of the tattoo. As more of the fragments are flushed away, the visibility of the tattoo fades until it can no longer be seen.
Many patients think that tattoo removal involves a “burning off” of the tattoo. This simply isn’t the case. Laser tattoo removal simply speeds up the natural fading process that happens to tattoos over time. For example, an old tattoo that has faded over time looks much like a recent tattoo that has undergone one laser treatment.
There is a very clear reason why multiple treatments are needed. When a tattoo is applied, the tattooing needle inserts at varying depths within the skin tissue. As a result, tattoo ink rests in multiple layers within the skin (inside the dermis). Each laser treatment shatters the most shallow layer of ink. Each progressive laser treatment shatters successively deeper layers of ink until none remain. Read More
The waiting period between treatments is important, too. The first two weeks allows the body to heal in the treated area – any temporary scabs or blisters subside during this time. The following weeks allows the body’s lymphatic system to flush away the ink, which takes a time to occur. As a general rule, the longer the patient waits between treatments, the better fading they will yield from each treatment. View More Performing laser tattoo removal takes no prior skill with other lasers to learn. Most tattoo removal lasers are very simple to operate and offer useful features (such as an aiming beam) to help the practitioner with the procedure. Most NLLC training clients quickly feel comfortable and confident using the laser system. Click Here
However, there is extensive knowledge of tattoos, skin reactions, and laser physics that are necessary to provide proper treatment to patients. Treatment settings depend on an assessment of the patient’s tattoo colors, skin type, and medical history. As we treat each volunteer patient at NLLC, we will discuss with the class the proper treatment settings and why those settings were used. At NLLC, we have an emphasis on safety – and we impart that to our training clients.
