Laser tattoo technology makes use of the theory that specific wave lengths of laser light will be absorbed by various pigment colors. The laser outputs a high level of energy which is absorbed by the targeted ink color. This causes the pigment molecules to quickly swell and explode.

Some of these fragments will literally fly out through the skin’s surface while other remaining pieces will be removed by your immune system over a period of time, usually weeks to months. Because skin normally absorbs very little of this heat energy, produced by the laser, it targets and destroys the ink while leaving the surrounding tissues intact. The following two lasers are currently among the most popular laser tattoo removal methods in the world.

Q-Switched ND: YAG Laser

This laser’s light is designed to be absorbed by both blue and black melanin (or natural pigments). It causes the melanin to be heavily fragmented – so small that the particles are able to be metabolized by your body’s lymphatic system (or be discharged or excreted from the body).

The pigment mass expands quickly and causes the ink molecules to shatter. They are then absorbed by what are called phagocytes. This process causes the tattoo pigmentation to be removed without causing injury to normal surrounding tissues.

The Q-switched ruby laser

This equipment emits intense red light that passes without harm through the epidermal skin layers where it is targets specific pigments of tattoo ink. Just like the YAG, and others, its energy causes heat upon impact with the tattoo ink shattering it into tiny particles that are then absorbed by your immune system. Larger particles that are not fragmented can require additional laser sessions, often several are needed to completely remove the ink.

The ruby laser is FDA approved and although there may be some temporary skin lightening, it has not been known to affect the surrounding skin structures because the skin will not absorb the energy generated by the laser light, only the tattoo ink will. This technology is endorsed by the American Academy of Dermatology as the treatment of choice.

After the laser treatment, the area will turn white and often swells slightly. This white color will usually fade within less than an hour. A scab may form in the days following but will usually return to normal within 7 – 10 days.

In terms of wavelengths of light (as measured in nanometers) the following rules apply:

532nm – Is a laser that emits a green light. It is targeted to reds, oranges and pinks.
755nm – This red laser light is attracted to greens, turquoise (one of the most difficult colors to remove), light blue and teal
1064nm – this invisible radiation wavelength emits infrared laser light that is attracted to black, darker blues and browns.

All of these three laser wavelengths may be used concurrently, similar to
ipl tattoo removal since they will only work on the colors that they are attracted to naturally.

When considering laser therapy it is very important to understand the specific types of equipment that you practitioner has in order to determine your success.