Laser Tattoo Removal

Before undergoing tattoo removal, Dr. Hibler conducts a thorough consultation to evaluate the tattoo and the patient’s skin. Important considerations include the size, location, color, age, and depth of the tattoo, as well as the patient’s skin tone and overall health. Multicolored tattoos, especially those with green, blue, or yellow pigments, may require more sessions and specialized laser settings.

Dr. Hibler also assesses for any underlying skin conditions or sensitivities that could impact treatment outcomes. It is important to understand that complete removal may not always be possible. Instead, tattoos often fade significantly, and the skin’s appearance improves with each session.

The effectiveness of tattoo removal depends on several key factors, including the type of removal method used, the characteristics of the tattoo, and individual skin response. When performed by an experienced dermatologist such as Dr. Brian Hibler, who uses advanced laser technologies, tattoo removal can significantly fade or, in many cases, nearly eliminate unwanted ink.

1. Ink color: Black ink is the easiest to remove because it absorbs more laser wavelengths. Colors like dark blue also respond fairly well. In contrast, lighter colors such as green, red, and yellow can be more resistant and may require specialized wavelengths or additional sessions.
2. Tattoo age: Older tattoos are often easier to remove than newer ones because the body has already begun breaking down some of the ink over time.
3. Tattoo depth and density: Professionally applied tattoos usually penetrate deeper into the dermis and contain more ink, which can make them more challenging to fully remove. Amateur tattoos may respond more quickly due to their superficial application and less ink.
4. Location on the body: Areas with better blood circulation (such as the face and neck) tend to heal faster and may clear ink more efficiently than extremities like the lower legs or feet.
5. Skin type and immune response: Individual skin tone and immune system function play a role in how effectively the body clears ink particles after laser treatment. Darker skin tones require cautious treatment to avoid pigmentation changes.
6. Laser technology: The use of modern Q-switched or picosecond lasers significantly improves effectiveness, especially for multicolored tattoos. These lasers are able to break down ink particles into smaller fragments that are more easily eliminated by the body.

• Most patients experience noticeable fading after a few treatments.
• Complete removal is often possible for black and dark-colored tattoos after 6 to 10 sessions.
• Multicolored tattoos may require additional treatments or may only partially fade.
• Residual pigment or ghosting (a faint outline or shadow of the tattoo) may remain in some cases, especially with certain ink colors or deeper placement.

Laser technology is the gold standard for tattoo removal. It works by emitting focused light energy that targets the pigment in the tattoo ink. This energy breaks the ink particles into tiny fragments, which are then gradually cleared by the body’s immune system over the following weeks.

Dr. Hibler uses advanced laser systems with multiple wavelengths to effectively treat tattoos of various colors and depths. Q-switched lasers and picosecond lasers are among the most common and effective tools for tattoo removal:

• Q-switched lasers: These devices deliver high-intensity pulses of energy in nanoseconds. They are effective for black, blue, and red ink and have been widely used for years in dermatologic practices.
• Picosecond lasers: Newer than Q-switched systems, picosecond lasers emit energy in trillionths of a second, providing more efficient breakdown of ink particles. These lasers are especially beneficial for stubborn ink colors and may require fewer sessions than traditional lasers.

For certain tattoos, a fractional ablative laser can be used. This laser drills microscopic holes into the skin, allowing for the ink particles to seep out of the surface of the skin. It can be combined with Q-switched or picosecond lasers for an enhanced effect.

Each session typically lasts between 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo. Numbing cream or local anesthesia may be applied to minimize discomfort along with force chilled air for additional anesthesia.