Laser Tattoo Removal

Removing Unwanted Tattoos

Laser Tattoo Removal Video (you will need Windows Media Player) Hi-Res | Low-Res

Decorative tattoos have been placed on people's bodies for over 3,000 years.   However, a lot has changed even over the last ten years regarding tattoos.   The newer tattoos with variable colored inks pose a more difficult problem for removal.   For example, green is one of the more difficult colors to remove.   It often requires a special type of laser, the Q-Switched Alexandrite laser, for removal.   The other lasers commonly used for tattoo removal include the Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser and the Q-Switched Ruby lasers.   Lasers produce light of a single color.  

The way a tattoo will respond to laser treatment depends heavily on the colors that are in that tattoo.   Certain colors of light will be absorbed by a tattoo while others will be reflected away.   A good example of this principal is the green color in a leaf.   Trees do not need green light for photosynthesis, thus the green light is reflected back at our eyes.   In a similar fashion, to treat red tattoo pigment one can not use a red tattoo laser, since red light will be reflected away; but instead a green light laser must be used.  

A tattoo before (left panel) and after (right panel) a single laser treatment.

The tattoo-removing lasers work by fracturing the tattoo granules into very small particles.   At the same time that is does this, it induces an inflammatory response in the skin.   This inflammation helps carry away the tattoo pigment from the skin.   Multiple treatments are almost always required to remove tattoos.   The exception can be certain amateur tattoos using India ink.   These may be removed in only a few treatments.   Professional tattoos require 6-10 or even more treatments for removal.  

Tattoo before (left panel) and after (right panel) a series of laser treatments.

To answer your specific questions or schedule a consultation, call Dr. Bernstein today at 610-581-7400.