(IPL) is considered one of the newest and most effective methods to remove tattoos. Instead of using one wavelength of light (one color), as lasers often do, this technology can deliver hundreds or even thousands of colors concurrently.
An anesthetic gel is normally applied to the skin and then a wand is used to emit the light pulses through a prism onto the treatment area.
This method is reported to be less painful and more effective than laser therapy. Its use results in fewer treatment sessions, but it comes at a higher price: $10 per pulse is not uncommon. Depending on how many pulses per session your tattoo requires, your total cost may be significant. On your initial visit to an IPL clinic, you may want to ask for an estimate based on the particular tattoo that you want removed.
Laser therapy can deliver only one wavelength (color) of light at a time, whereas the pulsed light used with IPL can deliver hundreds or thousands of colors at the same time. This is due to the fact that it uses a prism which provides a broad spectrum of light. IPL machines allow technicians to add or remove filters to selectively deliver the desire wavelength(s).
The resulting benefit is that the wavelengths can be customized for the particular tattoo being treated. Longer wavelengths can penetrate deeper into your skin’s tissue and target pigment that has been more deeply applied, while avoiding damage to surrounding tissues. The superficial areas of the skin use shorter wavelengths thus avoiding damage to deeper levels of the skin. This allows the experienced IPL doctor to adjust the light and it’s intensity in order to match the depth and color of the tattoo and avoid tissue areas that do not require treatment.
IPL light can also be delivered in pulses or bursts varying from 1 to 5 pulses at a time. The duration and delay of each pulse can be modified as required for each situation. Longer durations are better suited to larger tattoo removal, whereas shorter durations are generally better for treating smaller tattoos.
IPL’s ability to provide customized treatment is a key advantage of this type of therapy over laser tattoo removal or tattoo removal cream. An experienced technician or physician can customize the equipment settings to match the depth, size, and absorption characteristics of your tattoo and avoid settings that could cause damage to surrounding skin areas. This customizing ability allows the knowledgeable physician to maximize results while minimizing potential side effects.
IPL may not be your best option if you are darkly tanned or scar easily from burns. Also, if you are of Afro-American, Greek or Italian descent, you may experience natural pigment discoloration with this tattoo removal method, however the risk is lower than with laser treatment.
Some of the more popular machines on the market today are produced by Lumenis (”PhotoDerm” and “EpiLight” are two of the most powerful with the widest range of settings). Machines are now also available that offer more limited settings and less power to prevent their operators from producing undesirable side effects. The limited settings, however, prevent experienced operators from delivering IPL’s full therapeutic potential.
