Today, tattoos are no longer characterized as a permanent and irreversible skin blemish or problem. Especially thanks to significant developments in laser surgery, tattoos can be removed successfully and without scarring for the last 12 years.
Tattoo removal methods have been used since ancient times. These techniques are
Cauterization of the skin,
Acid applications,
Bird droppings (sublimation) applications,
Scraping of the skin,
Don’t press hot bread,
Surgical removal can be considered.
The common feature of these methods is that although they provide partial or complete improvement in the removal of the tattoo, almost all of them cause a scar and / or color difference.
Nowadays, with the introduction of lasers (Light Amplification of Stimulated Emission of Radiation) in skin problems, especially with lasers of improved quality (Q-switched or Q-Switched lasers), it has become the most preferred treatment method today due to the fact that they leave almost no scars while the dye substance in the skin is broken down and destroyed. The other treatment options mentioned above have been almost completely abandoned.
The main mechanism of action of the laser is to apply a specific intense light to the dye substance in the skin in a very short period of time and to break it into smaller particles in the skin with a very rapid instantaneous heating. The instantaneous heat increase is 1500°C in the tissue. But despite this heat, the damage to the tissue is very small. This is because the heat increase occurs in only 3/4 of a billionth of a billionth of a second. For this reason, laser tattoo removal does not cause any significant problems other than mild pain.
The dye substance, which is broken down into small particles, is trapped by the body’s defense cells and removed from the skin. This process works very slowly. For this reason, it is necessary to wait an average of 6-8 weeks between sessions to remove the fragmented dye from the skin. This process is also necessary to repair the tissue damage caused during the breakdown of the dye in the skin.
Different colored tattoo pigments can be removed with different wavelength lasers. The main ones are;
BLACK, DARK BLUE AND BROWN TATTOOS
1064 nm Q-SW Nd-Yag, 694 nm Q-SW Ruby or 755 nm Q-SW Alexandrite lasers.
RED AND PURPLE COLOR TATTOOS
532 nm Q-SW Nd-Yag (frequency doubled Nd-Yag).
GREEN COLOR TATTOOS
650nm Q-SW Dye and 694 nm Q-SW Ruby.
BLUE COLOR TATTOOS
They are treated with 532 nm Q-SW Dye laser.
FLESH COLORED TATTOOS
They turn black after the reaction of the element titanium with the laser. This color difference can last for a very long time, sometimes even permanent. For this reason, although the problems caused by laser removal can be corrected with repeated sessions in areas with skin color correction, sometimes permanent darkness cannot be removed despite all efforts.
YELLOW COLOR TATTOOS
Unfortunately, there is no laser system effective on pigment. In such pigments, we try to improve the appearance by reducing the amount of pigment in the skin with fractional Er-Yag laser peeling sessions.
WHITE COLOR TATTOOS
Since pigments reflect light directly, they are not affected by tattoo removal lasers. Therefore, we treat them with fractional Er-Yag laser peeling if necessary.
LIGHT BLUE COLOR TATTOOS
Today, as tattooing is becoming more popular, the use of different colors is increasing. A few years ago, removing light blue colored tattoos was a very troublesome and difficult to treat completely. Today, they can be easily removed with Q-SW dye lasers with a wavelength of 585 nm. Green-colored tattoos used to have similar removal problems. Today, green colored tattoos can be easily removed with 650 nm Q-SW dye lasers.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LASER TATTOO REMOVAL
ARE LASER APPLICATIONS PAINFUL?
Yes, there is pain. In general, the description is similar to the pain that occurs when the tire hits the skin. After about 12 years of experience, I cannot say that it is painless. However, we try to increase patient comfort during the procedure by reducing the feeling of pain with cream anesthesia or regional anesthetic drug applications.
HOW LONG DOES A LASER TATTOO REMOVAL SESSION TAKE?
Laser application time is not very long. Depending on the area to be treated, the duration is between 1-30 minutes. In very large tattoos, for example, tattoos that cover the whole arm or half of the torso, I find it more appropriate to apply partial laser application spread over 2-3 days instead of treating the whole tattoo in the same session. Because temporary changes in the skin can sometimes be disturbing.
IS THERE A RECOVERY PERIOD AFTER TREATMENT?
In small tattoos, there is no problem in working again after the procedure. But for large tattoos, I recommend resting at least on the day of the procedure. When the eyebrow contour is removed, the upper eyelid may swell. This swelling can sometimes continue for 24-48 hours. We generally do not want to take a bath on the day of the procedure. But there is no harm in bathing the next day.
WHO MOST OFTEN APPLY FOR LASER TATTOO REMOVAL?
Among the most common reasons for application to our clinic;
Allergic reactions to the tattoo,
Regret over the tattoo,
When I was looking for a new job,
In order to get a new tattoo, the old one can be removed.
CAN AMATEUR TATTOOS ALSO BE REMOVED WITH LASER?
Generally yes. Only some tattoos made with some inks may respond partially to the treatment. In these cases, we try different treatment options (such as fractional and laser peeling).
IS IT NECESSARY TO BE HOSPITALIZED FOR TATTOO REMOVAL?
No, it is not. The procedure is a completely outpatient procedure. You can usually have the procedure done in the clinic within 30-60 minutes and continue with normal daily activities.
I JUST HAD MY TATTOO DONE AND I REGRET IT. CAN I HAVE IT REMOVED IMMEDIATELY?
In the past, an old tattoo was perceived as better. However, the results we have obtained in our cases today have shown that laser tattoo removal applications performed in the early period are effective in a shorter time. In our clinic, we intervene in new tattoos after a week.
CAN TATTOOS BE COMPLETELY REMOVED WITH LASER?
Not always. For example, yellow-colored white areas may not respond well to treatment. Sometimes staining may occur for a while after the procedure. These stains are usually non-permanent stains that completely regress after a while.
ARE MULTICOLORED TATTOOS TREATED?
Currently, in our clinic, we use Q-SW lasers with 5 different wavelengths (532, 585, 650, 694, 1064 nm) that are effective in removing multi-colored tattoos. In this way, we have the potential to remove tattoos of almost any color.
WHAT SHOULD I PAY ATTENTION TO BEFORE LASER TATTOO REMOVAL TREATMENT?
Avoid tanning the treatment area. Protect from sun or solarium for at least 15 days.
Those taking blood thinners or photosensitizing medications should stop taking them at least three days before the day of treatment.
If you are using a different medication, you should inform your physician before treatment.
WHAT SHOULD I PAY ATTENTION TO AFTER LASER TREATMENT?
No bathing or contact with hot water for one day.
On the second day, cleaning can be done with warm water and soap or cleanser without using a washcloth.
The treatment area can be covered with epithelizing cream or left open.
It is forbidden to swim in the pool for five days.
It is necessary to protect the treatment area from artificial light sources such as sun or solarium for at least two weeks before and after the treatment.
