About

Learn about this innovative procedure, how it came about, and other exciting laser tattoo removal information.

Laser Tattoo Removal

National Tattoo Removal Day was founded to bring awareness to the laser tattoo removal industry, support individuals interested in removing their unwanted ink, and recognize the businesses and practitioners that provide and perform laser tattoo removal. National Tattoo Removal Day is recognized on August 14 because it is six months prior to Valentine’s Day, which is typically how long it takes to remove an unwanted name tattoo. Most medium, black ink script tattoos, like an ex-partner’s name, can start laser tattoo removal treatment on August 14 and be completely removed by Valentine’s Day.

“Laser tattoo removal is one of the most popular aesthetic procedures we offer,” said Tyffanie Rogers, owner of Blacklist Laser & Cosmetics in Joplin, MO. “It’s exciting to have a day of recognition for this innovative procedure.”

People from various professional backgrounds now offer laser tattoo removal due to the growing demand, including physicians, tattoo artists, medical spas, and even licensed entrepreneurs. Patients of all skin types, genders, and ages get laser tattoo removal for a number of motivations unique to their tattoo.

“Laser tattoo removal is an exciting procedure that has positively impacted many of my patients,” said Dr. Robert Burke, owner of Michigan Center for Cosmetic Surgery in Ann Arbor, MI. “I’m glad national attention is being brought to this innovative procedure and the superior removal results it delivers.”

National Tattoo Removal Day is the perfect opportunity for individuals to finally remove their unwanted ink and for laser tattoo removal providers to offer special promotions. Laser tattoo removal can also be celebrated by patients that have already removed an unwanted tattoo by posting their before and after photos.

Everyone is encouraged to celebrate National Tattoo Removal Day by sharing their laser tattoo removal experiences with the hashtag #NationalTattooRemovalDay. You can also like National Tattoo Removal Day on Facebook.

Tattoo Removal Methods

It wasn’t until the early 1990s that successful Q-switched laser tattoo removal became available. Before then, tattoo removal techniques were abrasive and harmful, to say the least. These older methods included dermabrasion, acid treatment, salabrasion, and excision which involved cutting, scraping, or sanding of the skin. Not only are these techniques very painful, almost all of them result in unsightly scarring.

Today, a technique called q-switching allows lasers to emit energy through a pulsed output. Traditional laser pointers produce a continuous laser beam whereas Q-switched lasers output laser beam pulses that last billionths of a second. These extremely brief light pulses are packed with intense high peak power, allowing them to shatter tiny particles of pigment and penetrate through the skin without damaging surrounding skin tissue.

How Laser Tattoo Removal Works

During a tattoo removal treatment, a laser directs ultra-quick pulses of light energy onto the tattooed skin. The ink particles that make up the tattoo selectively absorb the laser’s light energy depending on the wavelengths used. Upon successful absorption, the ink particles heat up and shatter into tiny fragments.

Over the weeks following a treatment, your body’s immune system naturally consumes the fragmented particles and disposes of them through the lymphatic system, causing your tattoo to fade. With each additional treatment, the laser continues to break down the ink into smaller fragments, working its way down from the shallowest layer of ink to the deepest until the tattoo is completely erased.

Do a Laser's Wavelengths Matter?

Laser tattoo removal is only successful if the right laser wavelengths are used. Each wavelength of light energy that a laser produces is absorbed by a specific group of ink colors. Laser tattoo removal is only successful when an ink particle absorbs a wavelength of light energy and shatters. If the wrong wavelength is used, the ink particle will reflect the light energy and stay intact, permanently etched in the skin.

Contrary to popular belief, black ink is the easiest color to remove. Darker inks like black, dark purples and blues are usually treated with a 1064 nm wavelength. Red is the second most popular color used in tattoos. Warmer inks like red, orange, brown, and violets are commonly treated with a 532 wavelength. These two wavelengths are the most popular wavelengths used for laser tattoo removal and are supported by most lasers.

Tattoos with bright blues and vivid greens are considered resistant pigments because they reflect 1064 nm and 532 nm wavelengths. Instead, a ruby wavelength like 694 nm must be used since it is highly absorbed by these ink pigments.

Are There Any Side Effects to Treatment?

There are very minimal side effects from laser tattoo removal. The most common side effects patients may experience are temporary swelling, redness, itchiness, slight skin discoloration (hypo/hyperpigmentation), scabbing, and blistering. As long as proper aftercare is applied after each treatment, patients should see great results. Aftercare is extremely important because it helps fight against unwanted infection and more serious side effects like scarring. Always be sure to follow proper aftercare instructions to ensure the best removal results.

Find a Provider

There’s no better way to celebrate National Tattoo Removal Day than booking an appointment with a local provider near you. Don’t wait, start your laser tattoo removal journey today!

Contact

Visit our Sponsor page or fill out the form on our Find a Provider page to get connected with your nearest tattoo removal facility.

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