Back then, it seemed like a great idea! The invigorating new sensation that body art brings is attractive to many people, hence the prevalence of tattoos in today’s culture. However, there comes a time when career requirements, children, or age changes one’s perspective on the body art. Whether it’s a foolish youthful decision, a remnant of a past time in life, or something we simply don’t find attractive anymore, tattoos are permanent art pieces engrained into the skin. The problem arises when the permanence is no longer desired and removal options are sought. At Advanced Plastic Surgery, we offer surgical excision as a corrective option, but we also carry the safe and effective new PicoLazer that specializes in removing all types of tattoos.
The mechanisms of laser tattoo removal
To understand the mechanisms of laser tattoo removal, one must first understand how deeply tattoo pigments are embedded into the skin. The skin is divided into three distinct layers: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis is the outermost layer which is constantly growing outwards, but the dermal layer underneath provides a perfect canvas for tattoo pigments to be deposited. Situated 1-2 mm beneath the surface, the tattoo needle pierces through the epidermis to reach the dermis and make a permanent mark visible from the surface. Therefore, in order to remove these deep-rooted pigments, laser energy must be applied.
How it works?
Laser itself contains highly concentrated light energy able to reach the lower layers of the skin. Our PicoLazer machine includes a multi-wavelength system that produces 532 nm, 595 nm, 660 nm, and 1064 nm wavelengths. The laser emits high energy light which fractures the tattoo pigment into little particles which are then removed by the body’s macrophages and other white blood cells. Ultimately, the pigment makes its way through the blood stream, liver, and is excreted. With minimal downtime, you can erase body art on any part of your body. The number of treatments depends on the size, depth, and color of the tattoo. Darker colors such as black or navy are the easiest to remove, whereas green and orange can be more stubborn to extract.
Come in for a consultation!
You may be a few quick and easy treatments away from completely erasing unwanted body art! Come in for a consultation to assess your tattoo’s size and depth and address any concerns you may have about our PicoLazer.