When tattoo ink is embedded in your skin, the needle puncture creates a small wound that immediately triggers your immune system to heal the tattoo site and remove the alien ink particles. Bacteria eating cells called macrophages are released and begin eating away at the ink particles. However, the pigment particles in tattoo ink are quite large, making it difficult for macrophages to completely remove a tattoo. Instead, the macrophages are only able to remove tiny pieces of pigment, which explains why tattoos are permanent but gradually fade over time.

Laser tattoo removal essentially speeds up your immune system’s natural fading process by shattering the pigment particles in a tattoo. During a laser treatment, our Duality laser sends ultra-quick pulses of light energy over the unwanted tattoo. The light energy travels through the epidermis and targets the tattoo ink particles while leaving the surrounding skin tissue unharmed. The tattoo ink particles selectively absorb the light energy, causing them to heat up and shatter into tiny fragmented particles that the macrophages can more easily engulf and remove.

Over the weeks following a laser treatment, your immune system will flush out the shattered ink particles, causing the tattoo to fade. Multiple laser sessions are needed to shatter the varying layers of ink that make a tattoo. Each session with the laser shatters more ink, speeding up the fading process until no ink is visible in the skin.

Laser tattoo removal assists your body’s natural immune process to remove tattoo ink from your skin. During a laser treatment, light energy is selectively absorbed by a tattoo’s ink particles, causing them to shatter into tiny fragments. Over the weeks following a treatment, your immune system naturally flushes out the fragmented particles, causing your tattoo to fade. This process is repeated until all of the ink in your skin is completely erased.

On average, most patients require 5 to 10 treatments for complete tattoo removal. Patients with older, faded tattoos may need fewer sessions. Patients interested in fading their tattoo for a cover-up tattoo may require as few as 2 to 4 treatments. The number of treatments needed varies case-by-case and depends on a variety of factors including the age of the tattoo, colors of the tattoo, location of the tattoo, the density of the ink, patient health, pre-existing scarring, and more.

Laser tattoo removal is often compared to a rubber band repeatedly snapping the skin. Overall the procedure is very tolerable, however, some patients may experience discomfort depending on their pain threshold. Minnesota Brow offers skin numbing solutions to alleviate any pain from the laser and maximize patient comfort.

Unlike tattoo application, laser tattoo removal is a very quick procedure that lasts anywhere from 1 to 15 minutes depending on the size of the tattoo being treated. Treatment times may take longer if multiple tattoos are being treated in a single session

Laser tattoo removal is the safest method for removing unwanted tattoos. Minnesota Brow uses the latest FDA-cleared laser technology and custom protocols for each patient skin type to ensure the safest, most optimal results.

That being said, patients may experience temporary redness, itchiness, swelling, scabbing, blistering, hypopigmentation, and hyperpigmentation. All of these side effects are natural reactions to the laser and will heal over the weeks following treatment. As long as proper aftercare is applied, patients should not experience any scarring.

The tattoo removal laser treatment may create a superficial burn wound. There is immediate whitening, swelling, and redness of the treated area, which usually lasts for several minutes. Some clients may then develop blisters, crusts, or scabs within 8-72 hours, which can last for 1-2 weeks or more. The treated areas may be pink or pale after the scab separates. Some patients may experience bruising or swelling, which usually fades over the first week after treatment. Scarring, which can be hypertrophic or keloid in nature, may occur but are very rare. Pigmentation abnormalities can occur, but are temporary except in very rare cases. Primary healing is usually complete within 4 weeks, although this may differ depending on several variables. Continued fading can be seen in the following months. A few things to keep in mind to ensure the best possible fading and removal outcome:

1. Keep the treated area clean and dry while it is healing. Clean the area gently with soap and water and then pat the area dry. You may apply a thin coating of ointment (i.e. Aquaphor, Petrolatum, Neosporin) up to three times a day for three days while the area is healing. Keep the area covered with a sterile dressing in that time.
2. Blisters are possible and likely to occur within the first 8 hours after treatment. Don’t be alarmed, as well cared for blisters heal very well and are part of the normal healing process. Should the blister become cumbersome, use a sterile needle to pop and drain the area, being sure to apply ointment and a bandage after doing so. Continue to put antibiotic ointment over the blisters once they have been popped until the skin is fully healed.
3. In the first few hours, the treated area may feel similar to a sunburn. Applying cool compresses can help ease some of the discomfort and inflammation from the treatment.
4. Should you scab, don’t pick or expose the scabbed area, as it may result in infection, scarring, or permanent pigment change. Shaving should be avoided in the treated area until it is completely healed.
5. It is ok to shower after the treatment, but take care to avoid high pressure water hitting the treated area. Baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, or any form of soaking are not recommended until all blistering and scabbing are completely healed as they may increase the risk of infection.
6. Exercise is generally safe after treatment taking into account the other after care instructions provided here. Some bruising may be experienced if muscles underneath the treated area are exercised.
7. Wear a sun block SPF of 25 or higher, protecting against UVA/UVB rays over the area for the full time between sessions while removal is performed. Limiting sun exposure between treatments will reduce the amount of tan in the area, thereby reducing the risk of side effects. Do not wear makeup or any cream on the treated area unless recommended by our office for 48 hours.
8. Itching is common due to the dehydrating effect of the laser treatment. Use Aquaphor, vitamin E ointment, or hydrocortisone cream to the treatment area. Itching resulting from an allergic reaction is rare, but also possible. Notify us if itching or swelling persists for more than a week after treatment.
9. If the area looks infected (honey colored crusting and oozing or spreading redness), if you experience an unusual discomfort or bleeding, if any other complications develop, or if you have any questions or concerns, contact the office immediately.
10. Of course, if you have any extreme reaction, call 911 or go to the emergency room.