How Does laser tattoo removal actually work?

Basically, lasers (light beams) are used to break up the ink particles of your tattoo.

In order for this to work, the laser is adjusted to match the wavelength of your tattoo’s colour. This is because different colours will absorb different wavelengths and reflect others. The heat created by the light hitting the ink is absorbed which causes the ink ( still in a semi liquid form) to expand. Because this is a very fast process the top part of the ink molecule expands so quickly that the heat differential between the hot top and cold bottom causes it to split into two or more smaller particles.

Once the larger ink particles are broken down, the smaller particles are able to be absorbed and disposed of by your body naturally. This is when your dermal macrophages and white blood cells come into play. The macrophages or white blood cells are around 1/10 the size of an ink molecule, this is why ink is permanent. the white cells cannot absorb it simply due to its size. By breaking the ink down into smaller particles the macrophages are able to absorb the ink and dispose of it, rather like Pacman absorbing its enemies!

Laser removal will not erase the tattoo, per se. What it does is break up the pigments in the tattoo and allow all of the ink to be redistributed through the bloodstream. At that point, it is removed through the body’s natural waste disposal process.. This is why you will need several treatments in order to have the best results. There are several factors that affect the outcome, but the size, age and ink quality are the largest. The better the tattoo is, the more difficult it will be to remove.

The number of sessions you will need depends on the size, age , colours of the tattoo and the quality of the laser that is used. The larger and more elaborate the design, the more likely it is you will have to attend multiple treatments.

Likewise if you are removing a cover up you will need more sessions as we are, essentially, removing two tattoos.