Laser Tattoo Removal & Scarring
According to the Pistone Cosmetic Dermatology Associates the use of Light Amplified by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER) is a relatively new form of tattoo removal. Laser technology was discovered at the Bell Gardens labs in 1958.
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Tattoo
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The Tattoo Health website reports tattoos to be an increasing form of artistic creativity during the 1990s and early part of the 21st century. Tattoo artists use ink placed under the skin to create designs forever visible on a person's body. In 2010, Tattoo Health reports over 10 million Americans have at least one tattoo, with 50 percent of these people wishing to remove the tattoo at some point during their life. Improvements in the ink used in tattooing and the increased professionalism of tattoo artists has made it more difficult to remove tattoos.
Laser Removal
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According to the Tattoo Health website, laser removal uses energy directed from lasers to target tattoo ink held between the first and second layers of human skin. These particles of ink are broken down and are later taken into the body’s bloodstream by the body’s scavenging cells. Gaps are left between each laser removal session to let the body absorb the broken-down particles of ink into the bloodstream and reduce the pain associated with any blistering following the use of laser technology.
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Scarring
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The chances of scarring are described by the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics website as being very low in tattoo laser removal. The University of Iowa reports the chances of scarring following laser tattoo removal as between 1 percent and 2 percent. Side effects associated with laser removal include superficial heating of the skin and hyper-pigmentation leading to pale or darkened skin.
Laser Types
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According to the University of Iowa, there are three main types of laser used during laser tattoo removal. All three types of laser used for tattoo removal are referred to as Q-Switched lasers, which are high-energy lasers. The three types of lasers are Alexandrite, Ruby and NdYAG, with NdYAG lasers described by the University of Iowa as being responsible for more scabbing and burning than the other types of lasers. Ruby and Alexandrite lasers are used to remove the majority of tattoo ink colors other than red. NdYAG lasers are used to remove red ink but do not remove other colors well.
Removal
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Tattoo Health reports that certain people and types of tattoos are easier to remove than others. People with fair skin can generally have tattoos removed more easily than darker-skinned people. The position of the tattoo can also play a role in removal, with Tattoo Health explaining areas with less body fat such as ankles and fingers are more difficult to remove. Tattoo’s placed on the buttocks, arms and chest are the easiest to remove.
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References
- Photo Credit tattoo image by shime from Fotolia.com
