Whatever your reason may be for removing a tattoo, laser procedures are the most common and effective method for erasing the ink. Previous methods of tattoo removal included dermabrasion (“sanding” the area) and excision (cutting inked skin out of the area and possibly grafting skin into the area). While these methods may still be used occasionally, the use of laser pulses has become the standard method.

Length: Tattoo removal may require anywhere from one to ten laser treatment sessions, each treatment lasting only a few minutes, with four- to eight-week intervals between each session. Each treatment penetrates a little deeper, removing more ink and leaving the tattoo progressively lighter.

Results:  The tattoo fades as the area heals, usually disappearing completely within a month or two. Not all tattoos, however, can be removed completely and leave just a shadow.

Procedure:  The surgeon can control the width of the laser beam as well as the wavelength (or color) of the light. Different wavelengths are used to destroy different colors of ink. Precise focusing makes it possible to eliminate the tattoo without damaging the surrounding skin.

Anesthesia: Topical

Status: Office visit

Recovery:  The treatment is relatively painless. Patients have described the sensation like a lightly stretched rubber band snapped against the skin. Afterwards, the treated area may feel somewhat like a mild sunburn.

Side Effects:   Side effects of laser tattoo removal are rare, but may include blistering, infection, loss of skin color, or scabbing. If scabbing occurs, it usually subsides within two weeks. In most cases, skin returns back to normal.  With advances in laser technology and better methods, scarring has become rare.