People like to get tattoos when they are younger and sometimes do so for stupid reasons. Often, after ten years of so of having a tattoo, the person may decide they don't want it any more. There are many reasons that a person may want to have a tattoo removed. Perhaps they have a named of an old lover tattooed on them, or they have a gang tattoo that there are no longer associated with. Some people have tattoos in places that will prevent them from getting a job they want. Some people might also have a tattoo that symbolizes hate or racism, and they no longer feel this way. Whatever the reason is, there are methods of tattoo removal out there.

Laser tattoo removal is one option for people considering the removal of a tattoo which is the most common method of tattoo removal. Laser removal involves targeting the tattooed area with pulses of concentrated light that will in turn break the ink fragments up into tiny particles which are then removed by you're immune system. This process does not happen after one session, however, and the more treatment you have, the more likely the laser will destroy the ink. However, the more treatments you have also means heightened damage done to your skin. Excess treatments can lead to blistering of the skin, painful sores on your skin, scabs and even scarring.

On average, professional tattoos require 5-6 treatments, while amateur tattoos may require 3-4 treatments, spaced approximately 6-8 weeks apart. The number of treatments depends on the amount and type of ink used and the depth of the ink in the skin. Occasionally technicians have needed to treat a tattoo 10-20 times.

• Black ink absorbs all wavelengths of light and responds very well to diode laser treatments. 

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  Green and Blue ink absorbs 670-890nm light best and responds very well to diode laser treatments.

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   Red, Orange, and Purple inks absorb 500-700nm light best and will only show marginal improvement with diode laser treatments.

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   Turquoise responds variably, depending on the pigments in the ink.

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   Yellow tends to reflect light and does not respond well to diode laser treatments.

  
  

Important Considerations for Safe Laser Treatment

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   Treatment Around or Near the Eyes: Great care must be exercised when working near the eyes. The laser emission is powerful enough to actually penetrate the eyelid and permanently damage the eye. Having the patient close their eyes is not satisfactory protection. The use of a dark-colored damp wash cloth which is folded over four times will deflect the harmful radiation; however, only laser protective eyewear is recommended.

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   Treatment Around or Near Mucus Membranes: Laser radiation will severely damage the tissues inside the nose and ear canal. Treatment should be avoided in these areas altogether.

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   Treatment Around or Near the Genitals: Laser hair removal is safe for application to the pubic regions including the reproductive organs of both sexes. Care must be taken into consideration in these areas due to the increased level of neural sensitivity. The patient may find the process uncomfortable without a topical desensitizing spray.

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   Treatment Around or Near the Areola (nipple): Laser hair removal is safe and effective on hair growth which occurs from the areola of both sexes.

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    Post-Treatment: The skin surrounding the treatment area will experience short-term erythmia (reddening) which will subside within 12-24 hours. Should the treatment area show signs of excess scabbing you may wish to reduce the overall treatment time or intensity. The application of a post-treatment cooling and healing gel (such as Aloe) is encouraged to speed healing and reduce sensitivity. Instruct the patient to refrain from applying cosmetics or sunbathing for at least 24 hours.