Got unwanted tattoos on your body? Laser tattoo removal is the best method to get rid of the ink on the skin. Although it’s an effective procedure for the most part, there are times when the tattoo still remains even after multiple laser removal appointments.
So why is laser tattoo removal not working for you? There are plenty of possible reasons why a laser treatment can’t get rid of the tattoo on the skin, but it’s mostly because of the type of laser used and its wavelength. Other reasons might be the inexperienced laser technician and the age of the tattoo.
4 Possible Reasons Why Laser Tattoo Removal Might Not Work for You
Tattoos are the oldest form of body art that’s still popular today. It’s a great way for people to express their personalities. In the US, around 36% of people aged 18 to 36 have at least one tattoo on their body.
But even if more and more people get tattooed every year, there are also others who find ways to remove old or unwanted ones. About 11% of Americans with tattoos have planned to remove at least one of their tattoos in 2017.
Laser tattoo removal remains the most popular way to get rid of tattoos. It’s a lot more effective than tattoo removal creams and other home remedies that claim to fade the ink on the skin. Laser removal utilizes high-energy lasers to break down the ink particles on the skin so that they’re eventually flushed out by the body.
Laser tattoo removal is an FDA-approved method to eliminate unwanted tattoos. If it’s not working for you, here are four possible reasons why:
1. Type of Laser Used
Lasers used in tattoo removal must be powerful to break down ink pigments in the least time possible. While most of the lasers used in different tattoo removal clinics today are enough to destroy the ink particles, they’re not quick nor powerful enough to help achieve the best results.
PicoSure lasers are powerful devices that deliver rapid pulses of light to the treatment area in as fast as a trillionth of a second. Traditional Q-switched lasers are effective in sending photothermal pulses to heat the skin and surrounding tissues, but PicoSure’s photomechanical technology is more efficient in shattering the tattoo particles.
Patients who used PicoSure lasers for tattoo removal also reported fewer required treatments and shorter recovery times. The laser is also effective in erasing hard-to-remove ink colors like green and blue. It’s safe to use in different body parts that have already been treated with a laser before.
2. Wrong Laser Wavelength for the Ink Color
Laser tattoo removal works by delivering light energy into the tattooed skin. The ink particles absorb this energy, which causes them to shatter into smaller fragments that eventually get flushed out by the body.
However, different colors only absorb and reflect different light wavelengths – a red-colored tattoo can’t be removed with red laser light because it doesn’t absorb any of the energy. If the tattoo ink can’t absorb much of the light directed from the tattoo removal device, the particles won’t shatter and the tattoo won’t be erased.
Here are some of the common wavelengths used for laser tattoo removal:
- Nd: YAG Laser (1064nm) – This wavelength is the most commonly used laser for tattoo removal because it’s the most effective one for removing black or other dark-colored tattoos.
- Nd: YAG Laser (532 nm) – This wavelength is utilized for erasing red tattoos and other warm colors, such as brown, yellow, orange, and violet.
- Ruby Laser (694 nm) – This wavelength works best for fading blue and green inks that are difficult to remove with Nd: YAG lasers alone.
- Alexandrite Laser (755 nm) – Much like the ruby laser, the alexandrite laser is also utilized for treating blue, green, and black inks. It’s typically used as a supplementary wavelength for Nd: YAG lasers.
3. Inexperienced Laser Technician
Like with any cosmetic procedure, the provider’s skill directly affects the success of the treatment. Even with the right laser type and wavelength used, a tattoo won’t be removed if the inexperienced technician keeps on treating the same area for too long. This activity is dangerous for the skin because it damages the skin cells and results in scars and burns.
A highly-trained doctor, like our staff at Ethos Spa, knows how to use the device to their advantage. They only apply the right amount of laser pulses to the treatment area to ensure a safe and effective tattoo removal procedure.
4. Age of the Tattoo
Aside from the ink’s color, another thing to consider before getting the unwanted tattoo removed is its age. Older tats are easier to remove than new ones because of two reasons:
- Sun Exposure – Older tattoos that have already been exposed to the sun for years have a head start when it comes to laser tattoo removal. The direct sunlight has already broken down some of the ink particles on the skin, which is why older tattoos require fewer treatments.
- Body Rejection – The body always finds ways to eliminate any foreign object it detects – including tattoo ink particles. It doesn’t readily reject new tattoos, but older ones have already faded to some degree because the body attempted to get rid of the ink.
While new tattoos are also qualified for laser tattoo removal procedures, clients are advised to let the skin heal first to avoid complications. Laser removal procedures for new tattoos also take a while to work because there are still too many ink particles to remove compared to older tattoos.
Get Rid of Unwanted Tattoo at Ethos Spa
Here at Ethos Spa, we help clients say goodbye to their unwanted tattoos in the most efficient way possible. Our highly trained staff are experienced in using the PicoSure laser system to remove tattoos safely and effectively.
The PicoSure laser system is considered the gold standard in laser tattoo removal technology because it sends ultra-fast light pulses to break down the ink particles. It also works on all tattoo colors and skin types.
Learn more about laser tattoo removal here at Ethos Spa by visiting our website or calling us at (908) 628-1916.
Learn more: White Ink Tattoo Removal
