Quick answer: Yes, laser tattoo removal works, and the science is solid. Disappointing results are usually from poor equipment or technique. However, some pigments and tattoo types are stubborn, in which case the aim might be reduction rather than removal.
Tattooing has been a mainstream art form for more than two decades now, so there are millions of Brits sporting artwork from the 90s, noughties and more recently. Inevitably, a number of tattooed people would rather not have at least one of their pieces. Changes in tastes or partners are obvious reasons, but as many people have ink that’s rather old, a lot of them are experiencing migration, fading, colour loss and blurring, added to the natural changes in skin as we age.
So it’s no surprise that laser tattoo removal is big business. It’s currently the only way we have to get rid of unwanted ink. Now that removal of tattoos is as mainstream as their application, there are plenty of reports of disappointing results, with treatment leaving visible pigments under the skin. It has led to some people dismissing the whole idea of laser tattoo removal.
However, as tattoo removal experts, we see every day that it is an effective way to greatly reduce ink, and can often remove all traces completely – but only when it’s done properly. In this article, we’ll cover the whole subject, from how the process works to getting the best results.
How tattoo removal works
It’s important to start by describing how the process of tattooing and tattoo removal actually work, because that will help to explain the rest of the article. Both tattooing and tattoo removal actually rely on macrophages, which are white blood cells that are colloquially referred to as “the cleanup crew”. Their job is to attack any tiny particles or foreign bodies that enter the body and help process them to keep you healthy.
When you have a tattoo, the ink particles that are injected into the dermis are actually too big for the macrophages to carry away, so they do the only thing they can – engulf them. That’s why the tattoo remains in place indefinitely. Over time, little bits might get nibbled away, which accounts for some of the fading, but largely, they’re just keeping the ink in place and stopping it from spreading. As the individual macrophages die, they’re just replaced by others.
With laser tattoo removal, Q-switched and picosecond lasers break ink particles into smaller fragments. Now, they are small enough for the macrophages to do their proper job, and they start to absorb them and pass them into the bloodstream to be flushed away. This is the important thing to know about laser tattoo removal. The laser isn’t actually “removing” the ink – it is merely shattering the particles into smaller ones, and then it’s over to your body’s immune system to finish the job. That’s why it’s not an instant process.
Perception and expectations
There’s one common reason for disappointment in some people who have undergone tattoo removal. That is that they might not have been given realistic expectations about the potential success in their case. When you go for your initial consultation, the clinic should give you an honest account of how much of the ink is removable. There are several factors at play that affect how thorough laser treatment can be. We’ll cover them in the next section.
In truth, there’s a spectrum of outcomes for tattoo removal. It ranges from completely removed to substantially faded. The best results are from a tattoo that used good quality inks in dark colours, which was done by a professional tattoo studio. For most people, that’s very good news, because since tattooing went mainstream, it has not been difficult to find a studio with excellent cleanliness and high quality tools and pigments. The most problematic ones are amateur ones, because they often use unusual inks and can be deeper than normal.
That said, even with the worst set of variables, a thorough course of laser treatment should be able to considerably remove most of the ink, to the point where it can effectively be concealed with cosmetics or clothing. The question is whether that is what you were told when you first agreed to laser treatment. If someone with “worst case” ink was told that it could be 100% removed, and results are far from satisfying, that’s the fault of the laser clinic.
At LaserHQ, we always try to manage expectations with all the procedures we perform. We understand that people are choosing to have them done for a reason. With laser tattoo removal, most of the time we can remove all traces of ink, because of the way the artwork was applied in the first place, along with other factors.
Where it is obvious to our consultants that we could be limited in how much we can achieve, it’s our obligation to let the customer know that. For many people, a dramatic reduction is good enough, because the remaining ink can be concealed in other ways, but in such cases, they are entering the agreement with realistic expectations, so we’re all happy.
What affects how well tattoo removal works?
Above, we touched on the factors that determine how successful laser tattoo removal can be. Let’s go through them one by one and look at the effects they have.
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Ink colour: Different colours absorb different wavelengths of light, with black and dark blue absorbing it easily – that means better results. Greens and yellows absorb light differently, so require specific laser wavelengths that are harder to match exactly. It can usually be done, but there might need to be more experimentation.
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Ink depth and quality: Professional tattooists use high-quality ink at a uniform depth, which helpfully makes it more predictable when it comes to removal. Amateur tattoos are inconsistently applied, with varying depths and ink quality. Less predictability means it’s sometimes harder to fully clear.
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Skin tone: Lasers target contrast between ink and surrounding skin, and darker skin tones contain more melanin, which can absorb more laser energy itself. Again, technology has advanced to the point where this is not such a problem, but treatment has to be more cautious and it’s a more specialised job. Some clinics lack the equipment to do an effective job on darker skin.
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Age of the tattoo: Older tattoos have already experienced years of natural fading and macrophage activity, so there’s less ink, and particles may already be partially broken down. They typically respond faster than fresh tattoos.
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Location on the body: Macrophages use blood flow to remove the particles, so extremities like fingers and feet, which generally have poorer circulation, can be slower to disappear.
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Individual immune system: Since it’s your own cells that do the clearing work, a healthy immune system removes fragments faster and more completely. People who are immunocompromised or are in poor general health tend to see slower results.
How many sessions does it realistically take?
Another potential reason for people being underwhelmed with the results of their laser tattoo removal is that they don’t complete the whole process. After a single session, many people will notice negligible fading, and they might only start to see a noticeable change after two or three visits. If they quit then, it’s no wonder they are disappointed with the results.
Realistically, most people are looking at between six and twelve sessions, depending on the size of the tattoo and the factors listed above. They should also be about six to eight weeks apart to give your body time to do its work. So for a complete removal, a timescale of around twelve months is not unusual, but it could take longer for more complex jobs.
Again, your expectations matter here. If you expect complete removal, it’s going to take longer. Some people are happy with partial removal, as they plan to have a new design inked in its place, so it won’t matter too much.
Does it hurt, and are there side effects?
We’ve also written an interesting article about whether tattoo removal hurts. In a nutshell, everyone feels it differently, but most people will report that it’s a quick, “flicking” feeling – and that’s without pain relief like numbing creams and cool air. With such assistance, it can be almost painless.
However, people who are particularly averse to pain (despite putting themselves through being tattooed in the first place!), might quit the treatment because of it, and that can make them lose faith in the process.
There might be temporary redness after the procedure as your body responds. As with any laser procedure, you can reduce your chances of adverse side effects by making sure you go to a reputable clinic with qualified staff, and heeding the advice they give you for before and after treatment.
So, is it worth it?
Hopefully, after reading this article, you’ll have come to the conclusion that laser tattoo removal does indeed work, and you’ll also know how. You’ll also now be aware that there are factors at play that affect how successful it could be.
Although you might have made a decision based on this article, we would still advise you to book a consultation with us so that we can have a look at your artwork, and give you a more hands-on appraisal. Our clinicians know the subject inside out, so we should be able to clarify any queries you have.
Then, you’ll be able to make a well-informed decision on what to do next with your tattoos. If you choose to come to LaserHQ for your treatment, you will know you’re in the best possible hands.