Does The Type Of Ink Used Affect Laser Tattoo Removal Success?
Tattoos, tattoo art, tattoo design, tattoo removal, tattoo removal success
Type of ink used affects laser tattoo removal success
There are a variety of issues that are brought on by tattoo removal. One of the most important factors is the ink type that was used to apply the tattoo in the first place. It generally takes between 6 - 12 laser treatments to completely remove a tattoo, depending on the kind and color of ink used, the client’s ability to heal, the size and location of the tattoo, how long it has been in place, and whether it was applied by a professional or an amateur (homemade). Older and homemade tattoos can take between 1-3 treatments to completely remove the ink. This is not guaranteed though. An experienced tattoo artist will inject the pigment in the same level of the skin, whereas an amateur will probably inject the pigment in several layers of the skin. Removing the ink from the deeper layers may be more of a challenge.
Do all colors of ink disappear equally as well ?
No. Black pigment absorbs all laser wavelengths, so it’s the easiest to remove because it doesn’t require special treatment. In general, dark (blue/black) inks and red inks fade the best. Oranges, yellows, and purples also usually respond well. Green, light teal/sky blue, inks are the most difficult to remove, because they selectively absorb laser light and can only be treated by selected lasers based on the pigment color. Additional treatments can produce excellent results, though.
Blacklight tattoos are very difficult to remove because they have titanium oxide (white or clear coating) that only shows up with a blacklight. Tattoos that have titanium oxide applied cannot be removed until the white has faded, which could take 5-10 years.
Will the tattoo completely disappear ?
In many cases, yes. However, it is very important to know that over 100 tattoo inks are in use worldwide today, none of which are regulated by the FDA. Not knowing which tattoo ink, how deep or how much was used, makes it difficult to predict the degree of removal on any given tattoo. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently lists tattoo pigments as “color additives,” which are intended only for application to the top layer of the skin. Consult with a removal specialist and make sure you have a list of questions handy. It’s not really hard to consult with a tattoo removal specialist because an accurate diagnosis requires an in-person visit, which is usually offered as a free, no obligation consultation.
The results and appearance of the tattoo vary from patient to patient. After each treatment session you will see the tattoo become lighter. Due to the various levels of professionalism and types of inks used in tattooing, the results and the number of treatments may vary. Typically, multiple treatments will be required and are scheduled 4 to 8 weeks apart.
While this is a valid concern and is a question that you should address with whoever you choose to be your tattoo removal specialist, you can still have a safe surgery. Most experts in the field agree that advances in laser technology have made tattoo removal increasingly successful.
It’s the technique used in laser tattoo removal that causes varying degrees of success depending on the type of ink used. Lasers are used to destroy the pigments in the tattoo. Tattoo ink is a colored liquid and when the laser attracts to the color it crystallizes the ink, turning it into a hard substance. The body recognizes this crystal as a foreign object and either digests (metabolizes) it or pushes it out through the skins surface, much like a splinter. This keeps the scarring to a minimum.
In any case, you should speak to your prospective laser tattoo removal specialists about the issue, to make sure that you’ll be getting the results that you’re looking for.
Type of ink used affects laser tattoo removal success
Tattoos, tattoo art, tattoo design, tattoo removal, tattoo removal success
Filed Under Tattoo Removal, Tattoos |
Tagged With tattoo removal, tattoo removal success, Tattoos
Comments
Leave a Reply