Laser Tattoo Removal – Myths and Facts

Laser tattoo removal is the most effective and safe method for removing tattoos on the skin. Despite of its popularity and demand, laser tattoo removal may sound scary. There are many misconceptions about laser tattoo removal that an individual must know about. Here we will discuss the most common myths and facts associated with the procedure.

Myth: Laser Tattoo removal is very painful procedure.

Fact: The treatment may cause slight discomfort, similar to snapping of rubber band on the skin but it is highly bearable. Numbing cream is applied on the skin prior to treatment to minimize the discomfort. so, laser tattoo removal is virtually pain free procedure.

Myth: Tattoo removal will remove natural pigment of the skin as well.

Fact: Certain types of lasers like Alexandrite and Ruby may damage the melanin causing skin bleaching but some types such as Nd: YAG won’t damage melanin or cause pigmentation. So individuals having darker skin tones should avoid Alexandrite or Ruby laser.

Myth: The treatment will leave scar.

Fact: Laser tattoo removal, when done by an experienced practitioner with right laser, does not cause scarring. However hair removal lasers may cause scarring and burning. Furthermore, frequencies of Ruby and Alexandrite lasers also cause scarring, so you should avoid them.

Myth: Darker colors are hard to remove.

Fact: Tattoos having black or dark colors are easier to remove because dark colors absorb all the wavelengths of laser. Lighter shades such as green and yellow, on the other hand, are difficult to remove because they selectively absorb laser light. Multiple wavelengths of laser are used to treat all the colors of tattoos.

Myth: Laser Tattoo Removal is a lengthy procedure.

Fact: The treatment is very quick, simple and short. It requires few minutes to complete, which is far shorter period than having tattoos.

Myth: Laser removes tattoo by burning the shallow layers of skin having tattoos.

Fact: Modern types of lasers do not burn the skin. They work by breaking down the pigments of tattoos. The removal of broken pigments is dependent on body’s natural immune system.

Myth: Laser will either remove tattoo completely or won’t. Partial removal is not possible.

Fact: Lasers used for tattoo removal are extremely accurate and customized. So, the procedure can easily remove the portion you aren’t happy with instead of removing entire tattoo.

Myth: You will require having the treatment sessions every week.

Fact: Laser treatment is no doubt done in multiple sessions but you will not need to have them every week. The treatment usually requires time span of four to eight weeks between two consecutive sessions to allow body get rid of shattered ink particles.

Myth: Old and amateur tattoos are harder to remove.

Fact: Most of the people consider removal of amateur tattoos harder as the ink or pigments are placed closer to skin surface but actually they are easier to remove. The removal of tattoos is also dependent on the depth of tattoos and therefore professionally made tattoos are harder to remove because of their depth. Older tattoos are also easier to remove because the ink tends to fade over time.