How is laser tattoo removal done?
Tattoos are as a result of injecting colour pigments into the skin using a solid round tip needle. The colours can be single, mainly blue or black, or a combination including red and green. Tattoos are permanent. There is no satisfactory treatment available to remove tattoos totally. The more controlled and reliable method is to use a laser. The Nd YAG and Ruby are suitable laser modalities for the majority of black and blue pigments. Ruby and KTP are useful tools to remove green and red tattoo pigments. The Q switched mode is more suitable to remove tattoos due to its short wavelength. Patients definitely need multiple treatments and they should be counselled pre-operatively as to the degree of outcome one can achieve with laser or any other treatment in the removal of tattoos. We therefore advise a consultation with an experienced surgeon and we support that treatment should be provided by a clinician who can recognise skin response to laser treatment.
