Laser Tattoo Removal Procedure, Benefits, and Risks - WebMD

What Is Laser Tattoo Removal?

Nearly 30% of people in the U.S. have at least one tattoo. Almost half of all millennials have one. But not all of them are happy about their decision. As many as 25% of those with a tattoo say they regret getting it.

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If you’re in that 25%, there is good news. Laser tattoo removal techniques can significantly diminish the appearance of your unwanted tattoo with minimal side effects.

Laser tattoo removal is a treatment to help diminish the appearance of unwanted tattoos. During this treatment, dermatologists or technicians use lasers to send out high-intensity pulses of light that target the ink inside your tattoo but leave the skin around it alone. As the ink absorbs these pulses of light, it begins to heat up. This heat makes the ink break into tiny pieces, which your immune system can then clear away. Your tattoo starts to fade as the ink goes away.

How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

Lasers remove tattoos by breaking up the pigment colors with a high-intensity light beam. Black tattoo pigment absorbs all laser wavelengths, making it the easiest color to treat. Other colors can only be treated by selected lasers based upon the pigment color.

You should first schedule a consultation with a trained professional who can evaluate your tattoo and advise you on the process. The number of treatments you need will depend on the age, size, and color(s) of your tattoo. The color of your skin, as well as how deep the tattoo pigment goes, will also affect the removal technique.

In general, this is what you should expect during a laser tattoo removal session:

1. The doctor or technician will answer any questions and make sure it's OK with you to go ahead. Let them know if you have any concerns.
2. They might take a picture of your tattoo to show the “before” and “after.”
3. You’ll be given a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes, and the doctor or technician will clean your skin and let it dry.
4. If you have darker skin, your doctor might put a cold pack or cooling gel on the area.
5. The doctor or technician will either give you a shot of numbing medication or put numbing cream on the area they’re going to be treating. 
6. They might do a quick test patch to see how your skin reacts. This will help them decide what kind of lasers and techniques will give you the best results.
7. The doctor or technician will use the laser to pass pulses of light through your skin. The ink in your tattoo absorbs this light and starts to break up. They might pass the laser over your tattoo at least a few times, and sometimes they wait a little while in between passes. 
8. It can be uncomfortable, but tell your doctor or technician if you’re in a lot of pain so that they can change what they’re doing, if needed.

Smaller tattoos will require fewer pulses, while larger ones will need more to remove them. In either case, it takes several treatments to completely get rid of a tattoo. After each visit, your tattoo should become lighter.

Does Laser Tattoo Removal Hurt?

Laser tattoo removal can be uncomfortable, but there are ways to help deal with the pain. 

Before they start using the laser on you, your doctor will give you numbing cream or a shot of numbing medication in the area they’re treating. They can also do a small test patch to see how painful the laser is for you, and to make sure it’s working well.

After a treatment session, your skin might feel sore or swollen. You can put an ice pack on it to make it feel better. Your doctor might also tell you to take an over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen or acetaminophen before or after your treatment sessions.

How much pain you feel will depend on where your tattoo is, the kind of lasers your doctor uses, and other details. Some people say that the laser feels like a rubber band being snapped against their skin. Other people think it hurts about the same or less than it did to get the tattoo. Tell your doctor if you feel a lot of pain during or after a treatment session. 

Laser Tattoo Removal Aftercare

Your doctor will tell you how to care for your skin after each laser tattoo removal session. Make sure to ask them if you have any questions. These tips can help your skin heal and prevent scarring.

• Use ice packs. Putting ice on the area right after treatment will lessen pain and swelling. It will also help your skin heal. 
• Put antibiotic ointment or cream on the area for a few days. The antibiotic will help you avoid infection, and the ointment can feel soothing on your skin.
• Wear a bandage or wrap – and change it often. This helps your skin stay dry and prevents infection. Keep the area covered until it heals. 
• Use petroleum jelly or unscented moisturizer under your bandage. Put the jelly on your skin using a cotton swab or cloth. This keeps the area hydrated and stops any scabs or blisters from sticking to your bandage. 
• Keep the area clean, but avoid scrubbing it. Wash the area with gentle, unscented soap and pat it dry. Don’t let it soak in the water, and don’t use body scrubs or washcloths.
• Avoid tight clothing. Wearing tight clothes can irritate the area or make it more painful. Loose clothing will help your skin breathe and heal. 
• Wear sunscreen, and avoid exposing the area to direct sunlight. Light from the sun can interact with the laser treatment and make it less effective. It also makes you more likely to get patches that are lighter or darker than the skin around them. Avoid the sun if you can, and make sure to always use sunscreen with 30 SPF or higher. Loose-fitting protective clothes can also help you keep the sunlight away from your skin as it heals. 
• Don’t pick or scratch at scabs or blisters. This can lead to scars. Your skin will heal better if you leave it alone. Put an ice pack or bandage on the area to distract yourself if it feels itchy or you can’t stop picking at it.

Side Effects of Laser Tattoo Removal

Laser treatment is often safer than many other tattoo removal methods, such as excision, dermabrasion, or salabrasion because laser treatment selectively treats the pigment in the tattoo. And there are very few side effects. But you should consider these things before you decide:

• Infection. It’s possible to get an infection if bacteria gets into the area being treated before it heals all the way. Using antibiotic ointment and keeping the area clean help prevent infection. You should call your doctor right away if you have swelling, redness, or pus after a laser treatment session. 
• Tattoos that don’t go away completely.  It’s unlikely that your tattoo will be completely removed. In many cases, certain colors may be more effectively removed than others. Blue and black tattoos, for example, respond well to laser treatment. Colors like yellow, red, and white are harder to remove.Cosmetic tattoos like lip liner, eyeliner, and eyebrows may actually get darker after treatment. They do tend to fade over time. 
• Changes to your skin color. You may end up with hypopigmentation, which means the skin that is treated is paler than the skin surrounding it. You could also have hyperpigmentation, which leaves the affected skin darker than the rest of your skin.
• Scars. Some people can get scars that last forever. You are more likely to end up with scars if you pick at your skin while it’s healing, or if it gets exposed to sunlight. 
• Allergic reactions. It’s rare, but sometimes laser treatment can loosen a chemical inside the tattoo ink that causes an allergic reaction. Because red inks are more likely to cause these allergies, your doctor might give you an allergy pill or shot before they try to remove red tattoos. 

Does Laser Tattoo Removal Cause Scars?

All tattoo removal methods can leave lasting scars where your tattoo was. Out of all the different ways of getting rid of tattoos, laser tattoo removal has lower chances of leaving scars, but it can still happen.

Right after a laser tattoo removal session, you might have blisters, scabs, or flaky skin on the area they treated. It might also be itchy. It can be tempting to scratch or pick at it, but you are more likely to get scars that last if you do. 

If you find yourself picking, apply petroleum jelly or a moisturizer, and cover the area or put an ice pack on it to stop yourself. 

Keeping the area clean and protecting it from the sun while it heals also helps prevent scars. Make sure to wear sunscreen and cover the treated area if you have to be in the sun. 

If you or your family members get a kind of raised scar called keloids, there’s a small chance that you could end up with a keloid from laser tattoo removal. Keloids are more common in people with darker skin. 

Changes to your skin color

Laser tattoo removal can also cause lasting changes to your skin’s color in the area where your tattoo was.

Laser pulses that break up tattoo ink sometimes also break up melanin, the chemical in your skin that gives it color. This can create a patch that’s lighter than the skin around it, called hypopigmentation. If you have darker skin, you have a higher chance of getting hypopigmentation if the laser breaks up too much of your melanin along with your tattoo. A hypopigmentation scar might also stand out more for you than it would for people with lighter skin. 

Hyperpigmentation is another change to your skin color that can last forever. This is when pieces of ink from the tattoo clump together and make a darker patch. It’s rare, but sometimes, ink can also have a reaction to the laser that makes it get darker instead of breaking up. This is more likely to happen if your tattoo is pink, red, or white, because of chemicals that are sometimes in these colors of ink. Hyperpigmentation can be easier to notice if your skin is lighter, but it's more likely to happen if you have darker skin. 

Find a Reputable Doctor

To ensure you get proper treatment and care, find a reputable dermatologist or cosmetic surgery center. If possible, get a recommendation from your primary care doctor for a dermatologist or skin surgery center that specializes in tattoo removal.

Make sure that your doctor has experience treating people with skin like yours, especially if you have darker skin. Ask your doctor how they will take your skin color into account when they pick which lasers and techniques to use. 

There are a lot of reasons that people might want to get rid of a tattoo, and sometimes not having certain tattoos anymore can be good for your mental health. But most insurance companies don’t think tattoo removal is “medically necessary” (important for your health), so they don’t pay for it. This means that most of the time, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for laser tattoo removal. 

If you are considering tattoo removal, be sure to discuss costs up front and obtain all charges in writing before you have any treatment.

Takeaways

Laser tattoo removal is the safest and most effective way to get rid of a tattoo you no longer want, because it uses lasers that slowly break up the ink inside your tattoo, without hurting the skin around it. You’ll have several treatments, each at least a month apart, to make your tattoo fade as much as possible, but it might not go away completely. Before you decide to have laser treatment, you should meet with a doctor to learn about how long it might take and how well it might work for you. Make sure your doctor has experience working with people with your skin color, and be prepared to care for your skin while it heals. 

Laser Tattoo Removal FAQs

Can lasers completely remove tattoos?

Laser tattoo removal treatment can make most tattoos much harder to see, but it might not get rid of the tattoo completely.  Even if you can’t see the tattoo itself anymore, you might also have a scar, or a patch that’s darker or lighter than the skin around it. 

Before you start treatment, your doctor should do a thorough exam and ask you a lot of questions about your tattoo and your health. This will help them guess how well laser tattoo removal might work for you, and what your tattoo might look like at the end of treatment. They should let you know what to expect and how much your tattoo might fade. 

How many laser tattoo removal sessions does it take to remove a tattoo?

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Everyone is different, and tattoos respond to treatment differently. Laser tattoo removal can take anywhere from four to 15 sessions, or more. Doctors recommend waiting at least a month in between sessions so that your skin has time to heal and your immune system can get rid of the broken-down tattoo ink. 

What is tattoo removal?

A tattoo is a permanent form of body modification where an artist injects inks and pigments (dyes) into your skin. Tattoo removal is a procedure to remove this permanent ink from your body. Normally, your immune system works to remove foreign particles from your body, but ink particles are too big for your immune system to remove, which is why they’re permanent. Tattoo removal can be a complex process that can take several sessions to complete. This happens because permanent ink granules from professional tattoos exist below your skin’s surface.

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There are several options for tattoo removal, with the most common being laser tattoo removal. If you’re interested in removing an unwanted tattoo, talk to a healthcare provider or a dermatologist to see what your options are for removing it.

How does tattoo removal work?

Each type of tattoo removal works differently. The goal of tattoo removal is to break down permanent ink particles into smaller particles that your immune system can safely remove from your body. This is how laser tattoo removal and tattoo removal creams function with a lower risk of scarring. Dermabrasion, chemical peels and surgical excision focus on removing skin or layers of skin that have permanent tattoo ink particles. This allows your skin to heal around where a tattoo used to be to make it look like the tattoo was never there in the first place. This usually causes scarring.

Does tattoo removal hurt?

Depending on what type of tattoo removal you choose, there may be varying levels of pain or discomfort. Some people say that removal feels the same as getting a tattoo, while others liken it to the feeling of a rubber band being snapped against their skin. Your skin may be sore after the procedure.

Certain procedures are painful, which is why your surgeon may give you general anesthesia or a dermatologist will apply a topical or inject a local anesthetic to your skin.

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Who is a candidate for tattoo removal?

You might be a candidate for tattoo removal if you:

• Have a tattoo you want removed.
• Are in good health.
• Don’t smoke.
• Have realistic expectations for the procedure.
• Understand the risks and possible side effects of the treatment.

Why do people get tattoos removed?

Everyone has their own reason for wanting to remove a tattoo. Some of the most common reasons include:

• You don’t like your tattoo anymore.
• Your job doesn’t allow visible tattoos.
• Your tattoo reminds you of someone or something that had a negative impact on your life.

What are the types of tattoo removal?

There are different types of tattoo removal available, including:

• Laser tattoo removal: Lasers are focused beams of light directed onto your skin. Lasers heat up the ink particles in your skin to break them down into smaller particles, which are easier for your immune system to remove. It can take multiple laser therapy sessions to remove a tattoo.
• Dermabrasion: Dermabrasion is a type of surgical procedure where a special tool removes the outer layers of your skin that contain tattoo ink. You’ll need a local or general anesthetic for this procedure. After the procedure, you’ll have an open wound on your skin that needs to heal.
• Chemical peels: Chemical peels use chemicals like trichloroacetic acid to remove permanent ink from your skin. A provider will apply the chemical to your skin, which will cause the outer layers of your skin to peel.
• Surgical excision: A surgical excision is a surgical procedure to cut out the skin that contains a tattoo. A surgeon will stitch your remaining skin together after removing the tattooed skin. This procedure works well with small tattoos and isn’t effective for large tattoos.
• Tattoo removal creams: Tattoo removal creams are available but aren’t as successful at removing tattoos as other therapies. You can use tattoo removal creams at home by rubbing the cream onto your skin where you have an unwanted tattoo. Most tattoo removal creams contain acids that can irritate or damage your skin. Tattoo removal creams work slowly, so it could take several months of regular use before you see results.

What is the process of a laser tattoo removal procedure?

Before your procedure, you’ll meet with a trained, certified physician who’ll evaluate your situation and inform you about the process. They’ll evaluate your skin and may ask questions that could include:

• When did you get this tattoo?
• Have you undergone any prior tattoo removal procedures?
• Was the tattoo was applied by an amateur or professional?

Your provider will also measure the size of your tattoo and they might take a photo of it to record the results of your procedure. Your provider will choose a treatment plan based on the type and color of ink in the tattoo and the depth of the tattoo pigment in your body.

During a laser tattoo removal procedure, you can expect the following to happen:

• You’ll wear protective eye shields.
• Your skin’s reaction to the laser is tested to determine the most effective energy for the treatment.
• The treatment itself consists of placing a hand piece against the surface of your skin and activating the laser light repeatedly (pulse) over the surface of the tattoo.

Smaller tattoos require fewer pulses and larger ones require more. In either case, the tattoo requires multiple visits for treatments. After each treatment, the tattoo should become lighter.

After each session, your healthcare provider will give you instructions about how to take care of your skin.

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Why does it take more than one session to remove a tattoo with laser tattoo removal?

It takes more than one session to remove a tattoo because when you got your tattoo, your tattoo artist applied the ink in layers. Because lasers break the ink pigment into smaller particles, it then takes some time between sessions for your body to flush out the ink. Your skin also needs time to heal. If you receive laser treatments, the procedure can sometimes cause swelling and blistering and can temporarily alter the color of your skin. Sometimes, superficial scarring may develop or your skin may be permanently discolored.

Will laser tattoo removal completely remove my tattoo?

Each person’s tattoo removal process is different. It’s relatively common for tattoo removal to not remove a tattoo completely. But some tattoo removal procedures will completely remove the tattoo from your body. When tattoo removal isn’t 100% successful, some colors of tattoo dye resist removal, and some pigment is too deep for lasers to reach, for example. Certain colors may be easier to remove than others. Blue or black tattoos respond well to laser treatment because they’re better at absorbing light.

Can I remove a tattoo at home?

There are some types of at-home tattoo removals that aren’t recommended by healthcare providers because they may damage your skin or cause an infection.

Tattoo removal creams are a type of at-home treatment where you rub a cream on your skin as you would a lotion. Tattoo removal creams claim to break down the permanent ink particles in your skin using strong chemicals. The success of tattoo removal creams varies, and many people experience skin irritation after using the cream.

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Another type of at-home tattoo removal process is salabrasion, which is the removal of the top layers of your skin using an aggressive salt rub. This type of tattoo removal can cause pain or lead to an infection.

If you want to remove a tattoo, visit a healthcare provider or a dermatologist and don’t try to remove your tattoo on your own at home.

How do I find a doctor to remove my tattoo?

If you’re interested in tattoo removal, start by visiting a primary care provider. They may be able to recommend a dermatologist or surgeon who specializes in tattoo removal. As there are several different choices for tattoo removal, you may want to consider your options by having a consultation with both a surgeon and dermatologist to get their opinions on what type of removal procedure is best for you.

How long does tattoo removal take?

Each type of tattoo removal takes a different amount of time depending on the size, color and location of your tattoo. It could range from a few minutes for laser tattoo removal or a few hours for surgical excision. You may need several tattoo removal sessions, especially if you choose laser tattoo removal. It can take between six and 12 visits and sometimes more before you see results.

How do I take care of my skin after tattoo removal?

Your healthcare provider or surgeon will discuss instructions on how you should take care of your skin after a tattoo removal procedure.

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Immediately after treatment, you can apply an ice pack to soothe the treated area. You may need to apply a topical antibiotic cream or ointment to your skin. You should use a bandage to protect the site.

You can shower the next day, but it’s best to avoid scrubbing the affected area. You should also cover the treated area with sunscreen when you go outdoors. Try not to pick at your skin after treatment because it could lead to scarring.

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