Laser Tattoo Removal

What Is A Tattoo?

Tattooing is based on the principle of injecting colour pigments of different sizes into a layer of the skin using a needle. However, as the main duty of our immune system is to protect our body from foreign substances, from the moment the tattoo application begins, our immune system tries to eliminate these foreign substances entering our body and sends White Blood Cells to the application area.

White blood cells attack the foreign substance. The purpose of this attack is to remove foreign materials from the system, but the paint pigment applied while tattooing is large enough to prevent the white blood cells from doing their job. What makes tattoos permanent is that these pigment pieces are too large to be destroyed by the immune system.

What is the Laser Tattoo Removal Procedure?

Lasers beams reach the tattoo pigment in the skin without damaging the upper layers of the skin. The tattoo pigment absorbs the laserbeam and owing to the energy of this light, the pigments break down into small particles without damaging the surrounding tissue. These tiny particles are easily absorbed and destroyed by the immune system.

This is a slow process. For this reason, it is necessary to wait an average of 6 weeks between sessions so that the fragmented dye can be eliminated from the skin. During this waiting period, tissue damage caused by the disintegration of the dye in the skin is also repaired.

How Is the Laser Tattoo Removal Procedure Carried Out?

Q-Switched ND: YAG laser technique is generally used for removing tattoos. Before the procedure, the skin is numbed with anesthetic creams and the sensation of pain is reduced by applying cooling during the procedure. The laser technique that will be used is determined by the dermatologist in accordance with the color and structure of the tattoo.

What Measures Should Be Taken Before the Procedure?

• Sunbeds and sun exposure should be avoided before the procedure,
• The doctor should be informed of regular medication use, if any,
• If blood thinners are used, they should be discontinued 3 days prior to the procedure.

What Colour Tattoos Are Easier to Remove?

The most easily removed tattoo colors are black and dark navy blue. While it is possible to remove intermediate colors such as red, purple and blue, it is more difficult to remove green coloured tattoos.

Can All Tattoos Be Removed With Laser Treatment?

Most tattoos can be removed with laser treatment. Although it is possible to remove many primary colors with laser, some tones of purple, pink, yellow, beige, and white tattoos cannot be removed with laser. For this reason, it is recommended that those who might consider tattoo removal in the future do not prefer tattoos in colours that are difficult or impossible to remove with laser.