Tattoos are placed relatively deep into the skin, so methods like chemical removal, excision, and dermabrasion can cause significant scarring. Comparatively, laser tattoo removal causes minimal scarring and side effects. The laser sends short pulses of intense light through the top layers of the skin. The laser energy is selectively absorbed by the pigment of the tattoo, so surrounding tissue and pigment remains unaffected.

How to Prepare for Laser Tattoo Removal

You may want to take a non-aspirin pain medication prior to the procedure to minimize small aches and pains. You should avoid taking aspirin for this purpose because it can cause bruising after the treatment is complete.

If you are very sensitive to pain, a topical anesthetic may be prescribed. Apply the anesthetic to your skin approximately two hours before treatment. You will be asked to wipe it off before the procedure begins.

What to Expect

Laser tattoo removal causes a sensation similar to what you would feel if you got a tattoo. It can feel like hot specks of grease are being splattered on your skin or that you’re being snapped by a thin rubber band.

The number of treatments required will vary depending on the size, age, color, and depth of your tattoo. Typically, two to four treatment sessions are required, but sometimes, more may be necessary. The procedure itself only takes a matter of minutes, and the treatments must be spread at least three weeks apart to allow residue of the tattoo’s pigment to be absorbed by the body. The tattoo will become noticeably lighter after each treatment session.

Before you undergo laser tattoo removal, you will be asked to wear a protective eye shield. The doctor will then test your skin’s reaction to the laser to determine which type of laser energy is the most appropriate. The doctor will then place a hand piece on the surface of your skin and activate the laser energy. The larger the tattoo, the more laser pulses will need to be delivered. Some people may need to have a local anesthetic to be injected before laser tattoo removal is performed, but most of the time, no anesthesia is necessary. After the laser tattoo removal procedure is complete, an ice pack will be applied to the treatment site to soothe it. A bandage or patch may be used to protect the treatment site.

Potential Side Effects

Laser tattoo removal causes minimal side effects, but there are some risks you ought to consider prior to undergoing the treatment. Risks include infection, scarring, a lack of complete pigment removal, hypopigmentation (the treated skin is paler than the surrounding skin), and hyperpigmentation (the treated skin is darker than the surrounding skin).