Tattoo implantation is one of the trending ways of evolution of human civilization. As the craze for implanted tattoos continues to increase, so is the number of people who want to get their tattoos removed. Compared to other tattoo removal methods, laser-based tattoo removal is one of the fastest techniques that is safe, efficient, and has least adverse effects on skin after the tattoo removal process.

Lack of proper understanding of fundamental principles and practical approaches may increase the risks of side effects. Identifying multiple factors including skin types, nature of tattoo, color, and proper laser parameters like wavelength, fluence, and pulse, is important to get genuine tattoo removal results. This page will give a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principle of the laser removal and practical experience in tattoo removal.

The laser stands for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation”. Devices working on the fundamental principles of laser light emit light with one wavelength that is parallel and lightly dispersed to form a highly-focused light. These properties make lasers different from natural and spontaneous light. Natural and visible light consists of light of different wavelengths resulting in an incoherent, highly-divergent light beam.

Most laser light-driven devices operate in visible wavelength ranges from 390 nm (violet) to 700 nm (red) and near-infrared spectrum. They are made up of four different components:

1. Laser medium, can be in solid, liquid, or gaseous form

2. Resonator or an optical cavity, surrounding the laser medium. Its function is to amplify the resulting light. It consists of two mirrors parallel to each other. One is opaque and the other is a partially transmissible mirror.

3. Energy source to excite atom and creates population inversion

4. Delivery system, fiber optic, or articulating arm to transfer light to the target area.

Laser light devices are named according to their laser medium, for example, gas lasers mean the medium is argon, copper vapor, helium-neon, krypton, and carbon dioxide.

Each laser medium has its specific wavelength. This property helps doctors effectively remove the tattoo.

The energy source can be in the form of the direct electric current, optic stimulation by another laser, radiofrequency excitation, flashlight, or chemical reaction.

The outcome of energy will take the electrons in the medium to an excited state which releases energy (photon) with a certain wavelength after reaching the ground state. When an excited electron hits another photon of the same energy, a photon (of the same wavelength) will be released. These photons are located inside the resonator, so they will move in every direction and try to excite other atoms until the number of excited atoms becomes greater than the number of atoms in the ground state, this state of atoms is referred to as “population inversion”.

Over time, photons travel parallel with the partially transmissible mirror and come out of the resonator as a fine laser beam traveling in a uniform direction.

Before conducting laser removal therapy, especially on dark skin patients, doctors advise doing a test spot which gives results in 4 to 6 weeks to check if the process is suitable for that skin or not. The desired response in both types of laser techniques is immediate whitening, which is the appearance of white or gray color immediately after receiving a laser shot. Sometimes bleeding may occur. Anesthesia is generally given to the patients before a procedure.

Eye protection is a must for everyone present in the room, including operator and patient, using wavelength-specific goggles is compulsory.
If the skin treatment is expected to be done near the eyes, an intraocular eye shield is provided to the patient as a precautionary measure.

Wrap Up: Laser therapy is one of the leading and most efficient tattoo removal treatments that are readily available these days. Mastering the fundamental laser principle and practical approach to removing a tattoo of different types is mandatory. To date, QS laser removal remains the most common method to remove tattoos. Some newer methods like PS lasers, combination methods, and multipass therapy are expected to come in the future with the goal of faster tattoo clearance and minimization of the side effects. While looking for tattoo removal services, do not forget to click on the link