Other tip offs to the artists are of course your breathing and of course the various expressions that might appear on your face! Keep in mind that while getting anew tattoo, having a cover-up done or getting tattoo removal work done, you can always say ‘I think I’ve had enough for today’, trust me the artist has heard it before and if it’s too much just give it a few days and return for the remaining work, not a big deal. Smaller touch ups can always be completed at a later date, these can include shading graduations, clarifying solid lines in more sensitive spots or maybe just a bit more pigment is needed to really make the artwork pop the way you’d like.

Touch-ups are often done on faded tattoos. Various pigments will tend to degrade at varying rates, they won’t all fade at the identical speed. Where the tattoo is still fairly new and you only require a single color added or brightened, a green needs to be brightened for example, the artist can overlay the new pigment doing their best the blend the new color with the old. This is also the case for other areas of the artwork – outlines for example. But if the entire work has been badly faded due to sun exposure or simply age, the sort of work required is not going to be considered a touch up, it’s referred to as a complete redo.

Keep in mind that not all changes can be corrected with ink touch-ups. The best example I can give here is work that may have been done on something like stretch marks. There can be issues that the lack of elasticity in the skin causes in cases like this. The only way to know for sure is to visit the artist and see what can be done about removing or fixing the unwanted ink. Additionally, blurred tattoos are often not considered good candidates for touch up work. With these you may consider a number of more effective alternatives like lessening the unwanted design through fading it first. tattoo removal creams, TCA acids and laser work are often used to prefade an unwanted design prior to getting the re-work done. However, they may also remove the tattoo altogether which might be just as much to your liking as well.

For those who have had extensive exposure to the effects of sunlight or who have just had their ink for many years a redo might not be the most effective alternative. Once your skin has been tattooed, the truth is it will never be quite the same.

If you decide on a redo the work will often be quite difficult to produce the desired results , they could quite likely end up being something other than you had in mind. However, on the bright side a new cover-up will provide a vibrancy as well as a new tattoo, sometimes the new work will create a new sense of depth and dimension that is only the result of the various new and old ink molecules working in proximity with each other. They don’t become mixed but the unique effect is created by the overlay where the old ink remains underneath.

There are some exciting new enzyme products on the market that are designed to be absorbed into the skin. These as well as TCA tattoo peels can be administered in a variety of strengths at home or by dermatologist, aestheticians, and cosmetic surgeons. Peels can improve many concerns in addition to tattoo removal, these include fine lines, poor skin texture, some discoloration as well as acne scarring – but they can’t tighten loose skin or make much of a difference with more pronounced wrinkles. Similar capacities are seen in dermabrasion, a form of sanding of the skin.

Alpha hydroxy acids are water-soluble and come from many sources. Glycolic, in concentrations of 2 percent to 20 percen, are made from sugar cane; citric from citrus fruits, from sour milk; malic from apples; phytic, from rice; and tartaric, from grapes. Beta hydroxy acids (salycylic, from willow bark and sweet birch trees) are oil soluble. Glycolic acid is the most commonly used AHA, because it is the most effective, but it is also the most irritating. Use of any AHAs causes greater sensitivity to the sun, so after applying it for tattoo removal you would be advised to use a sunscreen.

Most OTC chemical peel products contain about 4 percent to 8 percent active AHA, these are not generally strong enough for removing your unwanted ink. Do some research on this and you can find numerous peels for tattoos in the range of 30 percent plus acid concentrations. make sure you are dealing with a reputable company that fully discloses their ingredients, the FDA does not mandate the disclosure of AHA concentration in OTC chemical peel products.

Tattoos that result in allergic reactions to the ink, either at the time of tattooing or possibly years down the road, are also candidates for removal if the allergic reaction can’t be brought under control. And of course, a simple change of mind, as in the case of the name game, is a perfectly good reason to have a tattoo removed.

Some people would never part with a tattoo, wrong name or fashion statement notwithstanding. They view their tattoos as a part of themselves, places and times from the past that will never really go away anyway. If, however, you are in the raft of people for whom there is no other desrible alternative, you might consider tattoo removal. Let’s talk about the old ways of removal first, mostly so you can be glad for the new.

Old Style Removal

Lucky for you you didn’t want your tattoo removed twenty years ago. Well, hopefully you didn’t anyway. A lot of things have changed since then. Back in the day, there were only three alternatives. Dermabrasion was the first choice and it’s just like it sounds. Imagine taking sandpaper to your skin and rubbing it until there is no tattoo left. All of a sudden pain is spelled “100 grit”. Your second option, Cryosurgery, would at least freeze the area prior to removal., although this procedure was also painful and imprecise.

Third was excision, which was a surgeon using a scalpel to remove the tattoo, stitching you up afterwards and even taking a skin graft from another part of the body to repair the excision if the tattoo was big enough. Some of these procedures are still in use today, depending on the tattoo and it’s specific circumstances. By far and away, though, and to the relief of everyone poised with a sheet of sandpaper over their skin, laser tattoo removal is the standard today, however many types of tattoo removal cream including TCA have also become popular in recent years.

Laser Removal

The obligatory cautionary statement is that the complete removal of a tattoo may not always be possible, even using lasers. Let’s go over how it works first though, and then you’ll see why that statement is so common. A laser is light – very concentrated light, but light. Short pulses of this very concentrated light are positioned on a certain color in the tattoo, passing through the outer epidermis layer of the skin to be absorbed directly by the molecules of tattoo pigment in the dermis. Just as with sunlight (in particular UV radiation), the molecules of pigment absorb energy which they simply can’t handle, breaking their bonds, nearly vaporizing them, and reducing them to smaller sized molecules. When the particles become smaller, the body’s immune system can remove them (white blood cells called macrophages go on the march, scoop them up, and whisk them away). The wavelength of the laser is finely tuned to target a specific color of molecule; other pigments in the tattoo or the melanin in your skin are not affected.

How much of the tattoo gets removed depends on so many different factors: size, location, ability to heal, how the tattoo was applied (amateur or professional) and how long ago it was done. Because there are potentially hundreds of different types of tattoo inks out there, and because we never seem to know which ink was being used, it’d be difficult to know f it can be removed. Laser removal success is color dependent, to a somewhat exact degree when it comes to some colors. For example red tattoo pigment absorbs green laser light. Black and blue tattoos are the easiest to remove while green and yellow are generally considered the most difficult. In general, you could probably say that an amateur tattoo which uses only black or blue ink is easier to remove. Unfortunately, amateurs also sometimes tattoo too deeply, making the pigment harder to reach. A professional tattooist will often mix colors in the process for a graduation effect, which is also more difficult to remove, but will tattoo no deeper than the dermis and at a consistent depth throughout the tattoo.

Side effects of laser removal? I’m so glad you asked. The American Academy of Dermatology says there is a low risk of scarring when using lasers to remove a tattoo – a 5 percent chance. Then again, there was a low risk of scarring associated with getting the tattoo in the first place. With any of the old style removal techniques, scarring was pretty much expected. Other things that you might look for include hyperpigmentation (an abundance of skin color that might appear darker than normal), hypopigmentation (not enough natural skin color, which makes the skin seem too light), a remainder of some portion of the tattoo pigment, and as always, the risk of infection. It’s not perfect but it sure beats sandpaper or stitches.

Where you’ll feel the real bite, though, is in the wallet. Even though it’s done in a doctor’s office, most insurance companies won’t insure something that is considered cosmetic. Laser tattoo removal ranges from several hundred dollars to several thousand. Be sure that you have, in writing, how much the total cost is going to be at the end of the process. On the bright side, at least you don’t have to tip.

Choosing a dermatologist for your outpatient procedure is as important as choosing a great tattooist. As with a tattooist, the best referrel is a personal one, someone you know who has had a tattoo satisfactorily removed (remember that no one will guarantee thay can completely remove your tattoo or prevent scarring). failing a personal referral, you could ask your personal physician. You can also try the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery for recommendations.

Make sure that you are getting a medical doctor who specializes in laser surgery, and it would also be fabulous if you found somebody who has done thousands of tattoo removals. There’s a learning curve just as with tattoo applications, and experience does count.

Other related Q-switched lasers used for brown pigmentation and tattoos include the Q-switched Alexandrite laser which goes slightly deeper than the Ruby laser, and the Q-switched Nd: YAG laser, which goes deeper still and can treat red tattoo ink.

Long-pulsed lasers
Once it was discovered that the Q-switched lasers were effective for treating sunspots and removing tattoos, but that they were less so for biopsy-proven benign moles and hair removal, the next step was to extend the pulse duration. Other safe lasers for the removal of brown spots and tattoo pigments were developed. The result was known as long-pulsed or normal-pulsed Ruby, Alexandrite or Nd: YAG lasers. This has given us lasers that can remove hair and treat proven benign moles and brown birthmarks in addition to tattoos of widely varying colors.

Before, during and after laser treatment

Before
If you have olive or darker skin or a suntan, special precautions need to be taken before this form of treatment. In such cases a lightening cream and sunscreen should be used in order to prevent the laser from being absorbed by the tan. Some people with dark skin may not be suitable for this treatment.

During
You will be required to wear laser-protective goggles. The laser physician targets the skin area to be treated and activates the laser. A skin-pricking or snapping-sensation is felt. If this is uncomfortable you will be offered a local anaesthetic cream.

Length of Procedure: this depends on the size and location of the tattoo area being treated, however most tattoo removal sessions only take several minutes.

After
Some crusting and weeping may occur but should mostly heal quickly over a three-to-four day period. Some tattoo treatments may take longer to heal. You may return to work immediately after treatment. You will most likely be given band-aids or non-stick dressings as well as antibiotic ointments or creams to be used for up to four to five days. Use a sunscreen once dressings have been removed. If you have been treated for sunspots or brown birthmark, you should be given a skin-lightening cream to use for a week.

Possible Complications
Scarring can occur (particularly with some tattoos) or loss of your natural skin pigment. Results may be poor with some darker birthmarks.

Here is an overview of the types of tattoos:

Amateur Tattoos. These are made by individuals or their friends often by simply jabbing ink, charcoal or ashes under the skin’s surface using a pin or needle. Additionally, because such tattoo are done under unsanitary conditions with unusual pigments, they pose a much higher risk of infection.

Professional Tattoos. These are applied by registered artists using a tattoo machine. This is a term many tattoo artists prefer to the term ‘tattoo gun’.
Cosmetic tattoos. These may be used as permanent make-up, such as eye and lip liner, lipstick, blush, eyebrows or hair imitation. The process may be repeated over time when the colors begin to fade.

Medical. These are not for decorative purposes, but are applied for medical reasons. Patients with medical conditions or chronic disease, such as asthma or diabetes, may use one to alert health care workers in the case or an emergency. After breast reduction surgery, a tattoo may be applied to simulate the nipple for example. These are similar to traumatic tattoos which may be applied after injury such as when dirt or other materials get embedded in the skin.

Safety Tips:
Check to see, first of all if the clinic is clean.
Check the bathroom, if it’s dirty – get out of there.
Confirm that the parlour’s business license is up to date.
Check out the tattoo area and look for a separate area for tattooing with a clean, hard surface with no contaminated items present.

Steps that you can take to increase your chances of getting a good tattoo:
Avoid alcohol or taking any drugs the day before and the day of getting a tattoo.
Avoid getting a tattoo when you are sick.
make sure all needles are removed from sterile containers.
Make sure the studio has sterilization equipment to clean instruments after each use.
Make sure that the artist cleans his or her hands and puts on clean, sterile gloves.
Get a list of the specific types of pigments that the clinic uses, including color, manufacturer and lot number.
Make sure to follow carefully the healing instructions that the tattoo artists provides to you.

Some people may develop allergic reactions to various kinds of pigments that are used within the inks – especially red. Remember that tattoos can be removed, sometimes, most easily is the tattoo was done entirely in black.

There are various ways to remove tattoos and each has its own unique costs and benefits. The most common options are excision, dermabrasion, laser tattoo removal, tattoo removal creams and and Intense Pulsed Light.

Although lasers are the most common approach, they are designed to break down the tattoo pigments which are absorbed by your body’s immune system. This can lead to the possibility of an allergic reaction.

Remember To Think Before You Ink!

They are:

Unique Immune System: Everyone’s immune system responds differently and this is a factor during tattoo removal. Your body will break down the tattoo ink and pigments at its own individual rate.

Your Skin Tone. Lighter skin tones have higher success rates but many skin types are treatable and some tattoos are significantly reduced in appearance even after the first laser tattoo removal session.

Type of colors used. Black, red, dark orange and dark blue tattoos will usually respond the fastest to tattoo removal treatments. While green, brown, purple yellow and light blue inks will often require more visits to laser removal clinics and extended treatments with removal creams.

Type Of Ink Used. tattoo inks are not regulated and results will vary with amateur tattoos generally responding faster than professional ones.

Depth Of Tattoo. A tattoo that has been covered up by another tattoo has more ink and depth in the skin therefore requiring additional treatments.

If you’re are looking to have laser tattoo removal done on your tattoo most clinics will provide a free initial consultation. Look for a modern, comfortable, friendly and of course clean clinic when considering laser tattoo removal. Keep in mind that each session thereafter will likely run you in the neighbourhood of $250 – $800 per session but this will depend on several factors.

In additional to laser treatments you can also consider a newer method known as Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (or IPL). This technique employs high intensity light in almost the same way as laser but it uses a gel applied to the treated tattoo area and it is said to be far less painful than laser treatments as well as more effective which can mean fewer treatment sessions. It is, however, more expensive and is often charged by the pulse – often in the range of about $10. per pulse.

A few other, less popular methods are: dermabrasion, which actually sands away the top layers of your skin. It has been known to lead to scarring, just like excision. These two methods are typically only used where tattoo removal attempts have not been responding well to laser treatments or tattoo removal creams.

These products are non prescription and are often available at many on-line stores and regular pharmacies. One ounce of medical-grade acid, is often enough to cover a moderate size tattoo, and will normally sell between $40 – $60. These kits normally come with complete instructions and in some cases will require you to dilute the acid. This is usually required where the TCA is a strong concentration. You should use distilled water for the dilution. It is often recommended that you clean the tattoo and the area around it thoroughly prior to use. Application of the TCA acid is normally done with a cotton swab to apply a liberal amount of the TCA to the entire tattoo area. It has the consistency of water so be careful when applying it as it may run.

It is most often recommended that you leave the tca on for approximately 3 to 4 minutes to allow the acid time to sink through the epidermal layers of skin. The entire process will often need to be repeated as many as 6 times for the best results. However, one of the most important steps is always allowing ample recovery time for your skin. Depending on the strength and quality of the tca product you purchased it can often take up to 6 weeks for one treatment cycle. Using the TCA again before this cycle has completed will not give you better results. The skin requires time to heal and it is this process that will lift the tattoo ink to the skin surface. Using tca tattoo removal products is not the fastest method of removing unwanted ink pigment but it is considered safe and definitely cheaper than many alternatives. You can read up on some of these other techniques at: wrecking balm before and after, tat b gone, ipl tattoo, tattoo off and dermasal.

You may experience a mild burning on the area treated with tca for tattoo removal. This is usually remedied with baking soda, mixed together with water. Many retailers sell 35% – 50% solutions of TCA, but you can also purchase stronger products. Mixtures of TCA higher than 50% should be avoided in people with darker skin tones as hypopigmentation may result.

Medium strength chemical peels create a controlled inflammation using one or more chemical agents on the epidermal layers and upper dermis which, over time, results in tissue regeneration.

Common ingredients currently used include one or a combination of glycolic acid (AHA), salicylic acid (BHA), lactic acid, resorcinol, solid carbon dioxide and trichloroacetic acid (otherwise known as TCA) an alpha hydroxy acid. All of these peel agents have been used for years by dermatologists and doctors and estheticians.

Prior to TCA’s use for removing tattoos it was known to provide acceptable results in reducing fine wrinkles, treating acne scars, freckles, birthmarks, discolorations, stretch marks and mild-to-moderate photo aging as well as removing corns. For some time now TCA tattoo removal peel strengths up to 50% seem to have been the preferred strength for these conditions.

At this strength and higher, however, it has been known to cause certain complications including scarring. This has caused this strength to become less popular. 35% TCA formulas have been found to produce equally positive results without the associated side-effects.

The Jessner peel product, in combination with a TCA tattoo peel, is a unique form of chemical peel for lightening areas of hyper pigmentation, treating aged, sun-damaged skin and removing tattoos.

Jessner peel solutions (which contain salicylic acid, lactic acid and rescorcinol) are applied prior to using TCA and have been found to be effective in first removing the topmost layers of skin (epidermal layers) which then allows a deeper penetration of the TCA tattoo peel and a more evenly applied, uniform peeling effect. This two-step combination has proven to be as effective as using only a strong TCA peel solution alone – with a greater margin of safety.

The three main ingredients in Jessner’s Chemical Peel:

Salicylic acid – Is a Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA) known to be an excellent deep skin cleanser. It is well known to destroy bacteria which will then allow the skin to breathe better. It is known to produce less irritation than the alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid (AHA).

Lactic acid – Is another beta hydroxy acid (BHA) with an intensity that is slightly less than glycolic acid. So it is an effective, although less intense, agent for chemical peels. It is considered affective for those with sensitive skin who are too sensitive to use glycolic acid (AHA) chemical peels. It is commonly used for its ability to eliminate germs and other toxins. It is known to effectively shed dead cells and protect the pH level of your skin.

Resorcinol – Is an antiseptic that has been used for years to treat a wide variety of skin conditions. It is also effective at relieving itching and preventing infection allowing for a faster recovery time.

For even application of the solution, the area must first be cleaned thoroughly, Septisol® is very effective at doing this by removing skin oils. Additionally, the tattooed area can be cleansed with an antiseptic, vegetable-oil based, dye and perfume free glycerin soap.

This step needs to be followed by thorough rinsing and drying. Next, an acetone (a solvent used as a sanitary cleaner) can be used to debride (remove) dead contaminated tissue and other foreign material. The purpose of this is to remove anything on the skin surface that could cause infection and slow healing.

Jessner’s peel solution can then be applied with a q-tip or gauze. The solution should be applied evenly using one to two coats until an even, light frosting is observed. The frosting achieved with Jessner chemical peel solution is much lighter than that produced by TCA and the patient is usually only mildly uncomfortable, feeling only heat. The capillaries will often dilate during this process causing a redness known as erythema.

Next, the TCA tattoo removal acid is applied using one to four q-tip applicators using lighter or heavier amounts, as required. The q-tip applicators are useful in modulating the amount of chemical solution applied.
Within 30 seconds to 2 minutes the usual white frosting will begin to appear over the tattooed area. If the frosting is uneven or not appearing in some areas, the TCA tattoo peel solution should be reapplied, carefully.

A tattoo peel solution should remain on the tattooed area for about 3 – 4 minutes to ensure the frosting has maximized. Frostings are done to three levels:

Level I acid frosting results in redness with a blotchy frosting (whitening). This effect is common with light chemical peels.

Level II is seen as white frosting with redness showing through the tattooed area.

Level III frosting occurs when the peel travels through the stratum corneum (outer layer of the epidermis and through the lower layers into the papillary dermis. It appears as a solid white frosting with little or no redness showing through. These more aggressive peels should be avoided for most cases of tattoo removal as they travel deeply into the dermal layers and can cause scarring and other complications.

Medium-depth tattoo peels should use no more than level II frostings, this is especially true on sensitive skin.

Careful feathering of the solution at the rim of the tattoo will help conceal the line between the acid-peeled and non-peeled areas. Saline compresses can be applied to dilute the solution. A highly diluted .25% ethanoic acid mixture (one tbsp of vinegar to one pint of water) will assist the skin to heal. Additionally, a mild emollient cream to soften and soothe the skin should now be used.

For the first day, users are instructed to soak the tattoo four times daily with the diluted ethanoic acid compress. A mild emollient cream should also be applied to the tattooed area(s) after these soaks. After 24 hours, you can start showering again using a mild cleanser – glycerin and vegetable oil cleansers are recommended. The reddening (erythema) can intensify as the shedding of the outer layers of skin continues.

This cycle normally completes within 4-5 days. Healing is typically completed within 7 to 10 days. Most often at the end of the first week the bright red has turned to pink and may give the appearance of a sunburn. This may continue for 2 – 3 weeks but the area can be covered over using cosmetics.

To review, success with this technique for tattoo removal is really dependent on these three steps:

1) Thoroughly degrease the area to be peeled.
2) Apply the Jessner’s peel solution.
3) Apply a TCA tattoo peel product.

The amount of each of these three agents will determine the intensity and therefore the end result of this tattoo chemical peeling technique. The three variables may also be adjusted depending on your skin type and the area of the body that the tattoo is on.

Finally here are some considerations to keep in mind if you are considering using a Jessner peel with a TCA chemical peel:

• Those who have used Accutane in the past 12 month’s should not use Jessner’s Peel.
• If you are currently lactating or pregnant this product should be avoided.
• If you have a history of scarring easily, this sort of tattoo peel product should be avoided.
• Avoid using Jessner’s peel on any areas where a hair removal product has been used within the past 3 days.
• Jessner’s peel should not be applied to sunburned skin
• Avoid direct sunlight for at least one week.
• Avoid repeating Jessner peels too often, it is usually recommended to wait at least 4 weeks before repeating the peeling process, however be sure to follow all instructions in the kit carefully.

Jessner’s Peel often sells for approximately $89.99 for a 1oz bottle, so it is not inexpensive. However, when compared to other tattoo removal techniques that can cost well into the hundreds and even thousands, this product may be a great option for you to remove an unwanted tattoo. Try it and you will see the results for yourself. They are fast and marketed as superior to any other over the counter lotions, removal creams and serums available.

There are good reasons why practitioners charge so much for these Jessner chemical peel procedures. The good news is you can now do it yourself in your own home quickly and without any visits to day spas, clinics etc. The Jessner peel kit and others come with detailed instructions that will include usage precautions, preparation guidelines, after peel care and healing process procedures.

Are you looking for the best methods of removing tattoos?

Unfortunately ink manufacturers and tattoo artists, who mix their own pigments, are not required to reveal their contents. Nor are these products currently required to have US FDA approval. Most inks used for tattooing are not technically inks but rather pigments (powders) that are mixed with various carrier solutions designed to disinfect the pigment and ensure that it remains evenly mixed for ease of application.

The following carriers are considered to be the safest:

• ethanol (drinking alcohol)
• purified water
• witch hazel
• Listerine
• propylene gylcol
• glycerine

The less-safe carriers are considered to be:

• denatured alcohol
• methyl alcohol (methanol, carbinol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits) – drinking only 10 ml of methyl alcohol has been known to cause blindness, ingesting 100ml can kill you
• isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol – it is most often used as a cleaning solvent)
• ethylene gycol (antifreeze – used in vehicles and air conditioners, when ingested it can affect your central nervous system, heart and kidneys, causing death)
• aldehydes, such as formaldehyde (the stuff they preserve bodies with) and gluteraldehyde (a medical disinfectant and preservative, it is known to be toxic toxic and can cause severe eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, as well as, headaches, drowsiness and dizziness. It is considered one of the main sources of occupational asthma among health care workers.

Some of the substances used in pigment mixtures may produce toxicity. Modern pigments often include natural minerals, metal salts (metals that are oxidized to create a color change – copper is very common for creating blues and greens for example), industrial organic compounds, petroleum compounds, acids, vegetable dyes as well as plastics. The types of reactions possible include an allergic reaction, scarring, photo sensitivity reactions (especially from sunlight).

The pigments that are most commonly reported as causing an allergic reaction are reds and yellows. Surprisingly these are also the two that most often spontaneously disappear from a person’s tattoo without any signs of reaction.

ABS plastics are known for their vibrant coloring effect, however many customers have shown sensitivity to them. Glowing pigments or those that respond to black UV light are often considered more risky – some of them may be safe, but others contain phosphors or may also be radioactive.

This list includes some of the common pigments used in tattoo inks as well as the types of lasers that are most often used to target each color. However, many tattoo pigments are a mixture of different colors or shades that make use of a wide range of tints (blue, red, violet and orange etc) and are therefore difficult to classify, and sometimes treat, as a single pigment – ome of the pigment’s components may tend to absorb a certain wavelength while other components (within the same ink color) will reflect it.

Black: this is actually the easiest pigment to remove. This is because most black tattoo inks will absorb the entire light spectrum allowing all available wavelengths to destroy the ink molecules. Black pigment ingredients commonly include: iron oxides, carbon, logwood (a type of tree as well as the name of the dye taken from it – when mixed with iron it can produce grey to black tones), powdered jet, magnetite crystals, wustite (a mineral form of iron). All types of Q-switched lasers seem to be effective at removing black ink, these lasers include the Ruby, Alexandrite, Nd:YAG-Invisible and the Nd:YAG-Green light.

Browns, Tans, Fleshtones: these are often made with ochre which is made from iron (ferric) oxides often mixed with a clay. Ochre has a yellowish tone when raw but turns reddish/orange when it is heated and dehydrated. Tan inks often absorb laser light below 560 nm and flesh-colored pigment tend to absorb below 535 nm.

Red: This color is often the one reported to cause allergic or other reactions, possibly because it is often made with rust (iron oxide). It’s contents often include cinnabar (known as red mercury sulphide, a common ore of mercury and considered toxic), cadmium red (or cadmium sulfide, most of the worldwide production of cadmium is used to produce nickel-cadmium batteries, it is considered toxic), napthol (are naphthalene homologues of phenol (carbolic acid)). Some pigments used in plastics are also used to create red inks. Wavelengths below 575 nm are usually the most effective for removing them.

Orange: Often made with organic industrial pigments such as: disazodiarylide (a family of about 30 pigments first developed around 1940, there are 3 hues of azo pigments and they are not known for their permanence), disazopyrazolone (pigment common in printing ink, plastics and paints), or cadmium seleno-sulfide. Orange pigments typically absorb green laser light below 560 nm.

Yellow: This color is probably the most difficult to make and ingredients vary widely. It often includes cadmium yellow (cadmium is a sulphide commonly used Ni-Ca batteries – it is considered toxic), ochres, curcuma yellow (this is probably the safest ingredient in yellow dyes, it comes from the ginger family and is often made with turmeric), chrome yellow ( a heavy metal or toxic metal – these elements when accumulated in the bodies of animals over time have been shown to cause serious illness), or disazodiarylide (considered non-toxic). Yellows are sometimes known to cause reactions; this is possibly due to the fact that more pigment is required to make them. Yellow primarily absorbs below 520 nm laser wavelengths but will begin reflecting just above this level it is one of the most difficult pigments to destroy. It usually requires a number of treatments to remove completely.

Green: Are one of the more difficult inks colors to remove or fade since they will only absorb red light. Often made of chrome green (or lead chromate which has been known to cause burning, scarring and possibly cancer), chromium oxide (casalis green or anadomis green), Malachite (now banned in many countries because it is toxic to aquatic animals), ferric ferrocyanides (prussian blue), potassium ferrocyanide (yellow or red). When used in high enough quantities and when added to water ferrocyanides have the potential to create cyanide gas. Lead chromate (an inorganic lead that is considered very toxic), monoazo pigment (considered non-toxic), Cu/Al phthalocyanine, or Cu phthalocyanine. Q switched Ruby lasers are often used for removing greens. Wavelengths of 625-755 nm are the most effective for removing them.

Blue: These pigments are often as resistant as greens to remove since they will only absorb red light. Their pigments often include azure and cobalt blue. Minerals provide blue pigmentation from Copper (II) and Azurite. Lapis lazuli (a semi precious stone mined for 6,000 years in Afghanistan) is also sometimes used, as well as calcium copper silicate (Egyptian blue), silicate of sodium and aluminium (ultramarine blue), these last two ingredients are considered quite safe to use. Other cobalt aluminum oxides and chromium oxides are also popular. The safest blues and greens are copper salts (the metal is oxadized), such as copper pthalocyanine. The copper-based pigments are considerably safer or more stable than cobalt or ultramarine pigments. Q switched Ruby lasers are often used for removing blues. Wavelengths of 625-755 nm are generally considered the most effective.

Violet: is often made of manganese violet (manganese ammonium pyrophosphate) is known to be moderately toxic if ingested and highly toxic if inhaled in it’s raw form. Quinacridone (a synthetic light-and-color fast pigment) and various aluminum salts are also popular to produce violets and purples. Some of the purples, especially the bright magentas, are photoreactive and will tend to lose their intensity after prolonged sunlight exposure. Dioxazine and carbazole are known to produce more stable purple pigments and are both considered non-toxic to the human body. The ingredients to avoid here are cobalt arsenate (a known carcinogenic) and cobalt phosphate; both are known to be highly toxic to the human body. Violet is similar to red in its laser light reflectance and absorption properties, so green light in wavelengths below 575 nm are most often effective for removing them.

White: These colors often consist of lead white (lead carbonate), titanium dioxide (is considered quite safe and is widely used in paints, sunscreens and food coloring), barium sulfate, or zinc oxide. Some white pigments are derived from anatase or rutile (two of the three mineral forms of titanium dioxide). White pigments are sometimes used to dilute the intensity of other ink pigments. Most ingredients commonly used in this pigment color are considered non toxic.

Hopefully this article has helped you to understand some of the issues surrounding ink pigment ingredients and what methods are most effective for removing tattoos.