Laser
Tattoo Removal in Cincinatti
The Dermatology Laser and Vein Center of Cincinatti yses a Q-switched 532 Nd Yag laser and a Q-switched 1064 Nd Yag laser to temove your tattoos. Each laser targets
different colors of tattoo ink. These lasers safely penetrates to all dermal layers necessary for comprehensive
removal of tattoos, including professional or amateur tattoos;
multi-colored or monochromatic tattoos; and all types of ink.
Laser Tattoo Removal
Laser tattoo removal works by the explosive heating, with a Q-switched
laser, and fragmentation of the intracellular ink granules that
are contained in dermal phagocytic cells (macrophages).Skin cells
and ink are sloghed off from the surface skin, but much of the
ink is transported into lymphatics and, apparently, retained in
regional nodes.
Our laser has 2 different Q-switched lasers to chose from.
This is important because depending on the color of the tattoo
ink a specific laser wavelength is used for the treatment. Red
ink is better removed by green laser pulses. Black ink in responds well to the
1064 wavelength. Cosmetic tattoo ink, typically the lighter ink
colors, may contain ferric oxide or that can permanently turn black
when exposed to Q-switched laser pulses. The color changes are
probably due to reduction of rust-colored ferric oxide to jet black
ferrous oxide and from white Ti4+ to blue Ti3+. Further treatment
often removes these tattoos, but warn patients that permanent tattoo
darkening is a possibility. Titanium dioxide ink content is associated
with poor results.
Laser tattoo removal requires multiple treatment sessions. The
number of treatments depends on the quality and depth of tattoo
application, the type of ink used, the color used
and the length of time between each treatment. The longer you wait
between treatments the fewer treatment it will take. India ink
(graphite) tattoos are the easiest to remove with laser treatments.
Most tattoos take six to ten treatments, but over 20 treatments
are sometimes required. Difficult colors are yellow, green and
blue. Red and black are the easiest colors to remove. Dermabrasion
or excision and grafting can be considered as alternative treatments.
The risk of scarring by Q-switched laser treatment of tattoo is
approximately 5% or less, and usually limited to a portion of the
treated area. Allergic reactions to the ink are possible with red
ink being the usual culprit.
Lasers have become the standard treatment for tattoo removal because
they offer a "relatively bloodless," low risk, highly effective
alternative with minimal side effects. Side effects of laser tattoo
removal by Q-switched laser are transient pigmentary and textural
changes. Hyperpigmentation is usually mild and transient, and can
be treated with topical bleaching agents. Hypopigmentation is also
usually transient, but depigmentation occurs in about 1% of cases
and is often permanent. The risk of scarring by Q-switched laser
tattoo removal is less than 5%, and is limited to a portion of
the treated area. Local and systemic allergic reactions to the
ink are possible with red ink being the usual culprit. Llocalized
granulomatous tissue reaction to tattoo ink particle antigens can
occur. This can easily be treated with a local steroid injection.
Some patients may suffer fever, joint pain, chills, and/or myalgia
after each laser treatment. I will treat these patients with an
oral antihistamine and prednisone after each treatment.
Laser tattoo removal usually involves applying a topical anesthetic
for one hour. The tattoo is then treated with the appropriate laser
wavelenth depending on the tattoo color. The laser causes the top
layer of ink to explode into smaller fragments. The skin turns
white over the treated tattoo. Some bleeding may occur. A special
post laser ointment is applied and a bandage may be placed. The
skin usually heals within one week but may take up to a couple
of weeks. Most of the ink that was broken into smaller
fragments is gradually absorbed by your body over the next 4-8
weeks. The tattoo may continue to lighten for several months
after a treatment. I usually do laser tattoo removal treatments
every 8-12 weeks. I have found that longer intervals
of 8 or more weeks between treatments results in fewer treatments
needed to remove your tattoo.
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