How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

Learn how permanent tattoo removal works so you can overcome your fears and finally get it done!

While it’s true that the process of removing tattoos kind of looks the same as putting them on in the first place, the truth is, there is a lot more science behind the velvet curtain than you may have anticipated. And, because it’s a pretty complicated process, it’s not one that should be undertaken lightly. That said, if you’re ready to say goodbye to your aging or less-than-glamorous-looking tattoos from your salad days, then you should be equipped with the knowledge about how it works so you understand exactly what is happening to your body during the tattoo removal process.

Understanding Tattoo Ink

First, you have to understand tattoos themselves. What most people do not know is that the inks used to tattoo the skin are typically made from heavy metals like manganese, and in some cases, as with red inks, there may even be mercury in tattoo ink. This metal in tattoo ink is exactly what makes it so permanent.

The tattoo needle deposits these heavy metal inks into the skin, where the body then sends white blood cells to fight what it believes is an infection. In fighting the “infected skin,” the body removes a good deal of the ink over time, which is why tattoos fade over the years, as white blood cells chomp away at the metals in the ink.

For more on tattoo inks and their composition, check out this comprehensive guide.

The Laser Solution

The only way to get all the ink out—or rather, all the color from the ink—is to use ultra-short pulse lasers. These incredibly hot lasers work in an extremely narrow frequency, moving at lightning speed on a scale known as picoseconds—or trillionths of a second. But the speed and the heat are exactly what make the tattoo laser work: it’s this heat and speed that breaks up the ink particles in the skin.

The Science Behind Laser Removal

In this incredibly brief period, the heat and light of the laser cause the ink under the skin to expand due to thermal expansion. As it does so, only half of each ink particle gets heated while the other half stays cool—these opposing forces are what cause each individual ink particle to rip apart over time, which is why the process must be done more than once for a tattoo to disappear completely.

Photothermolysis Explained

The process by which the picolaser heats up is known as photothermolysis, the same process used in permanent laser hair removal. Once these powerful lasers break ink particles apart into smaller particles, they are then absorbed by the lymphatic system of the body. These particles are taken by white blood cells to the liver, where they are filtered out of the body and into waste. Photothermolysis might seem simple enough, but when you consider that the process has to be done over and over again, you begin to understand that “lasers” are a lot more powerful when they are used in a very regimented fashion.

What’s more, having a tattoo removed by way of photothermolysis can cause pain, but it’s not so painful that it’s unbearable by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, over the years, laser tattoo removal machines have become a great deal more modernized, and hence, cause a lot less pain for the patient than in the earlier days of laser tattoo removal. For more details, check out this pain management guide for laser tattoo removal.

Which Laser Tattoo Removal Machine should I go for?

For those looking to startup their own clinics, or upgrade their existing tattoo machine, then check out the Nu Tatouage Plus by our company the British Institute of Lasers. This incredibly well-engineered machine offers state-of-the-art Q-switched technology and new picosecond (remember, that’s one-trillionth of a second!) pulse technology with only the best results. Offering footswitch operation, technicians are sure to love this easy-to-use laser, which tells you exactly when and where it’s going to remove tattoo ink before you tap, ensuring highly accurate results.

What’s more, the Nu Tatouage Plus can also remove liver spots, freckles, café au lait birthmarks, and other skin blemishes in addition to tattoos. It also tightens and rejuvenates the skin, making it one of the most highly sought-after tattoo removal systems available today. Find out more about this professional laser tattoo removal machine.