Laser Tattoo Removal

During laser tattoo removal, the laser is used to selectively target and destroy the tattoo without damaging the surrounding laser tattoo removal at our Portsmouth NH office.tissue, which greatly decreases scarring. Lasers have differing wavelengths and pulse durations, and different laser beams are absorbed by specific colors, allowing physicians to choose the precise combination of lasers for the depth and color of a particular tattoo as well as for multi-colored tattoos. After treatment the skin is more uniform and natural in appearance, although some changes in skin texture and color are unavoidable.

Laser Tattoo removal is available even for large tattoos

How is the Procedure Performed?

The doctor, or an assistant, will cleanse the area on and around the tattoo to remove oils on the skin. During the procedure you’ll feel intense emissions of light penetrate the tattooed area. You’ll hear noise as the laser does its work, both from the machine itself and from the fans that operate continuously to reduce heat in the room and clean the air.

How Long Does It Take?

On average, each laser treatment takes from ten to twenty minutes. Several treatments are needed to achieve the desired results -- the number will vary depending on the depth and color of the tattoo, but eight to twelve treatments for one tattoo are not uncommon. You must allow at least a month between treatments, so be prepared to commit a substantial amount of time to the process.

What Can You Expect ?

The area may be red, as if mildly sunburned, for several weeks. There may be some bruising, and with deeper tattoos bleeding is not uncommon. The area may be treated with an antibiotic ointment and a bandage applied.

Recovery times depend on the extent of the treatment and the individual’s capacity to heal. Redness and sensitivity may continue for several weeks, and there may be discoloration and a change in skin texture in the area, which will gradually improve. You should avoid exposing the treated area to the sun, as this may retard healing. You may not notice significant results until several treatments have been completed.

Most people are satisfied with the pigment removal achieved through laser treatment. It is important to remember, however, that your skin will never look as it did before you had the tattoo, even though the tattooed pigment has been removed.
In general, the best candidates for laser removal of tattoos:


*Are physically healthy

*Are psychologically stable

*Do not smoke

*Want to change their appearance

*Are willing to commit a substantial amount of time to the process

*Do not have fluorescent colors in their tattoo

*Do not have unusual scar formations, such as keloids, or scars in the tattooed area

*Use a trustworthy numbing cream for best result

*Do not have connective tissue disorders, such as lupus

*Are not taking Accutane, nor have taken it for the previous 18 months

*Have not had other cosmetic surgery in the tattooed area

*Are well informed about the procedure

*Hold realistic expectations about the outcome

Some Articles found in Wikipedia:

While tattoos are considered permanent, it is possible to remove them. Complete removal, however, may not be possible (although many doctors and laser practitioners make the claim that upwards of 95% removal is possible with the newest lasers, especially with black and darker colored inks), and the expense and pain of removing them typically will be greater than the expense and pain of applying them. Some jurisdictions will pay for the voluntary removal of gang tattoos.

Tattoo removal is most commonly performed using lasers that react with the ink in the tattoo, and break it down. The broken-down ink is then absorbed by the body, mimicking the natural fading that time or sun exposure would create. This technique often requires many repeated visits to remove even a small tattoo, and may result in permanent scarring. The newer Q-switched lasers are said by the National Institute of Health to result in scarring only rarely, however, and are usually used only after a topical anaesthetic has been applied. The NIH recognizes five types of tattoo; amateur, professional, cosmetic, medical, and traumatic (or natural).

Amateur tattoos are easier and quicker to remove, usually, than professional tattoos. Areas with thin skin will be more likely to scar than thicker-skinned areas. There are several types of Q-switched lasers, and each is effective at removing a different range of the color spectrum. This laser effectively removes black, blue, purple and red tattoo pigment. New lasers like the Versapulse & Medlite laser treat these colors & yellow and green ink pigment, typically the hardest colors to remove. Black is the easiest color to remove.

Some wearers opt to cover an unwanted tattoo with a new tattoo. This is commonly known as a cover-up. An artfully done cover-up may render the old tattoo completely invisible, though this will depend largely on the size, style, colors and techniques used on the old tattoo. Some shops and artists use laser removal machines to break down and lighten undesired tattoos to make coverage with a new tattoo easier. Since tattoo ink is translucent, covering up a previous tattoo necessitates darker tones in the new tattoo to effectively hide the older, unwanted piece.