Tattoo removal is performed using laser technology, which targets the ink color and breaks it down without affecting the surrounding skin. The body will then naturally excrete the particles within a few weeks. Most tattoo removal procedures need quite a few sessions, and some can take up to 2 years to complete. Complete removal of a tattoo is never guaranteed. Tattoo removal on deeper skin tones may not be possible as the laser can burn, scar, or cause hyperpigmentation. Other treatments can fade a tattoo, such as chemical peels, dermabrasion, and diathermy. Doctors usually recommend laser technology as it’s the safest and most effective way to remove a tattoo.
A typical tattoo removal procedure will require a local anesthetic. This is usually a cream applied onto the treatment area half an hour before the process. If the treatment area is smaller, practitioners sometimes inject lidocaine to numb the area. Most patients describe the feeling of laser tattoo removal to be similar to getting a tattoo.
A tattoo removal session can take from a few minutes to more than an hour, depending on the size of the tattoo and the ink used. Before the treatment begins, patients will need to wear protective goggles. Some doctors may recommend a Q-switch laser. This technology can remove tattoos quicker than the traditional treatment.
Depending on the ink color, different wavelengths may be used to remove the tattoo. In some cases, doctors may combine different lasers for more effective removal. On average, a tattoo will need 4-6 sessions to remove, but this largely depends on the depth of the tattoo, the ink used, the patient's skin color, and the laser used. Tattoo removal can take months to years as a several-week break is needed between sessions. Tattoos that are less than a year old, non-professional tattoos, and tattoos on the arm or leg are harder to remove and may take longer to fade.
