Tattoo removal is a common practice. Some people have had a change of heart about a tattoo’s design or placement, while others may have experienced an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink. Additionally, some people may have a tattoo that is significant to them but no longer relevant, or they may want to remove a tattoo because it simply doesn’t send the message they want anymore. Whatever your reason for wanting it gone, at Ingrid E. Trenkle, MD in Redlands, CA our effective PicoWay laser can get rid of your tattoo.
How Long Does Tattoo Removal Take?
The PicoWay laser we use is faster and more efficient than traditional laser removal methods. The length of time it takes to remove a tattoo using the PicoWay laser can vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the tattoo, the color of the ink, the age of the tattoo, and the location of the tattoo on the body.
A general estimate is that it can take between three to six treatments to remove a tattoo using the PicoWay laser. However, some smaller tattoos may be removed in as few as two treatments, while larger or more complex tattoos may take up to 10 or more treatments.
Why It’s Not an Instant Process
Our bodies are complex systems with the ability to detect any foreign invaders and destroy them. Tattoo ink is considered a foreign substance by your body’s immune system, so as soon as the ink is deposited under your skin, your body goes to work trying to remove it. The immune system generates special cells called macrophages to do this, but these macrophages are not able to remove the ink particles because they are too large. That’s why tattoos are usually permanent unless you deliberately have them removed.
Laser tattoo treatments blast the ink particles with laser energy, which shatters them. These shattered ink particles are smaller and can be absorbed and removed by your body’s immune system. Because your body’s immune system is what is actually removing the tattoo ink, you have to give your body some time to accomplish all this.
After each session, you will notice fading over the next few weeks as the macrophages do their job. Then you’ll be ready for your next session. The reason it can’t all be done in one session is that the laser will only be able to shatter the ink particles on the top layer of your tattoo during each session. The ink underneath the top layer is protected from the laser by the ink above it: it’s essentially standing in the “shadow” of the upper layer. As you remove each layer, the layer below is revealed and can be targeted.
Factors That Affect the Timeline of Your Removal
Age of the Tattoo
The age of a tattoo can have an impact on the length of time it takes to remove it using laser tattoo removal technology. Generally speaking, older tattoos are easier to remove than newer tattoos. Older tattoos typically have less vibrant ink and have had more time to fade naturally.
This means that the laser energy can more easily break down the ink particles, making the tattoo removal process faster. Additionally, the ink in older tattoos may have migrated deeper into the skin, which can also make it easier to remove.
Ironically, the quality of the original tattoo matters here, too. Poor quality, cheaper tattoos are easier to remove simply because the body is probably already having some success at removing the low-quality ink. The body still can’t remove all of it on its own, but with the laser’s help, the process is quicker than with a high-quality tattoo.
Skin Tone
People with darker skin tones have a higher concentration of melanin, which is the pigment that gives color to the skin. Melanin can absorb laser energy, which can make the tattoo removal process slower as darker skin tones may require a lower energy setting to avoid causing damage to the surrounding skin. Additionally, some colors like red, orange, or yellow take more time to remove for people with darker skin tones.
However, newer technologies like the PicoWay laser, which uses ultra-short pulses of energy that can selectively target the tattoo ink without causing damage to the surrounding skin, are very effective for people with darker skin tones. It may take a little longer to get rid of the tattoo, but it’s now possible to remove tattoo colors that couldn’t be addressed with inferior laser technology.
Placement of the Tattoo
The tattoo removal process can be more difficult and take longer in areas of the body where the skin is thinner and more sensitive. Tattoos on areas such as the face, hands, feet, and ankles may take longer to remove as the skin in these areas is thinner and more delicate. Additionally, tattoos located near bones or joints may take longer to remove as the skin in these areas is less flexible and may be more sensitive to laser energy.
On the other hand, tattoos located on areas such as the back, chest, and thigh may be easier to remove as the skin in these areas is thicker and less sensitive. The placement of the tattoo also matters in relation to the heart. Your body’s immune system will remove the shattered ink particles after each session, and this is done via the circulatory system. Tattoos that are close to the heart tend to fade more quickly than those on the extremities.
The Strength of Your Immune System
The immune system plays a critical role in the tattoo removal process. When a tattoo is made, ink particles are deposited into the skin and are recognized by the immune system as foreign bodies. The immune system then sends white blood cells, specifically macrophages, to the site of the tattoo to engulf and remove the ink particles.
Laser tattoo removal technology works by breaking down the ink particles into smaller pieces that can be more easily removed by the immune system. The laser energy causes the ink particles to heat up and break down, making it easier for the macrophages to engulf and remove them.
It’s worth noting that some people may have a weaker immune system, and for them, it could take longer for their tattoos to be removed. Additionally, certain medical conditions or medications can affect the immune system and may slow down the tattoo removal process.
The Color of the Tattoo
Different colors of ink absorb different wavelengths of light, and different laser pulses are used to target specific colors. Therefore, the color of the ink can determine the way the laser is calibrated and how much the ink absorbs the laser energy in a given session. Typically, black and dark blue inks are the easiest to remove, as they absorb all laser wavelengths, making the tattoo removal process faster.
On the other hand, colors such as red, orange, and yellow are harder to remove as they do not absorb all laser wavelengths. Green and purple inks can also be difficult to remove, as they can contain pigments that absorb multiple wavelengths. All these colors can be removed: they just take a bit more time than a darker tattoo.
It’s worth noting that newer laser technologies like PicoWay laser can selectively target the tattoo ink without causing damage to the surrounding skin and have been proven effective in removing a wide range of ink colors.
How Can I Speed Up the Process?
The best way to get the fastest results from your laser tattoo treatments is to support your immune system and follow all our instructions for caring for your skin after each treatment. If you take good care of yourself by eating well, minimizing stress, staying hydrated, drinking moderately, and getting enough sleep, you can optimize your immune system function.
It will also help a great deal if you refrain from smoking during this time. Nicotine compromises every system in your body, most notably the immune system, and can slow down the removal process. Finally, be very careful not to get sunburnt. If you get a sunburn in the treatment area, you’ll have to delay treatment until your skin recovers.
Get Rid of Your Unwanted Tattoo
If you have a tattoo that you want to get rid of, for whatever reason, we can help. Set up a consultation with us at Ingrid E. Trenkle, MD in Redlands, CA and get started!
