Do you regret having gotten a tattoo? In some cases, tattoos don’t come out the way you planned, and in others, you may feel as though the tattoo you got no longer represents you. If you’re feeling like it’s time to get rid of that unwanted tattoo, you may be interested in laser tattoo removal. Laser tattoo removal is the ideal solution to a problem that was once considered permanent.

Tattoo Removal

Tattoos are created by puncturing the skin repeatedly using a fine needle point and injecting the pigments that make up the tattoo. The dyes are injected just below the skin surface, where they stay for a long time without fading. It is this very reason that tattoo removal can be so difficult. Professionally done tattoos are typically harder to get rid of, as they have better quality dyes injected deeper into the skin.

In earlier times, skin grafting had to be done in the area to remove the tattoo. This meant that the skin above the tattoo has to be surgically removed and replaced with tissues harvested from another part of the body. This method was time consuming and difficult.

How Laser Tattoo Removal Works

Laser tattoo-removal techniques are far simpler than grafting. They employ a laser delivered in pulses to break down the dyes injected into the skin. Our MedLite C6 Q-switched laser technology is calibrated to focus specifically on the dyes and avoid damaging the surrounding tissues.

A laser beam consists of a set of parallel light rays. The intensity and wavelength of the laser depends upon the materials used to generate it. To treat a tattoo, the pigments injected into the skin are first evaluated. The laser is calibrated to treat the various colors used in the tattoo. The wavelength of the laser is selected such that the beams will be absorbed only by the pigments of the tattoo and not the skin cells.

The Treatment

For the laser tattoo-removal treatment, a topical numbing agent may need to be applied at the site or a local anesthesia can be given. Protective eyewear is mandatory for both the patient and the practitioner. Using a handheld device, the practitioner exposes the site of the tattoo to the laser beam delivered in pulses.

The energy from the beam is absorbed only by the pigments, which get broken down into small particles while the surrounding skin cells remain safe from any damage. Ice packs may be used after the treatment to soothe the skin.

Gradually, these dye particles are flushed away by the natural clean-up system of the body and the tattoo fades. Depending upon the type of the ink injected, the depth of penetration of the ink into the skin, the age and size of the tattoo, and the skin color of the patient, a few more sessions may be required. They should be spaced at sufficient intervals of time as per our instructions. The pre- and post-treatment protocol should be followed closely for best results.

Contact Marietta Plastic Surgery to Learn More

To find out more about laser tattoo removal and get your tattoo taken care of, contact Marietta Plastic Surgery and schedule your consultation.