How Do Different Color Tattoos React to Laser Removal?

It’s one of the most commonly asked questions by patients: will the color of my tattoo affect laser tattoo removal?

The truth is color does impact the removal of a tattoo using laser technology. You see, a laser is a light-based technology that works by using light wavelengths. In order to effectively remove a tattoo, a variation of wavelengths needs to be used to target the different colors or pigments that make up the tattoo.

How Light and Color Affect Tattoo Removal

Tattoo removal works by using a laser to break up ink particles. Some tattoo ink colors absorb some wavelengths better than others. Absorption can be impacted by factors like how old the tattoo is and how it was applied. Pigment or ink color also affects how light wavelengths are absorbed.

The laser is pulsed over the tattoo to direct light energy over the ink. This energy is then absorbed and works to shatter the pigment into tiny particles that the body’s filtration system can flush away.

Effective removal requires multiple sessions. The tattoo will then fade after each treatment until it is no long visible.

A laser needs to operate at multiple wavelengths to be able to treat a tattoo of multiple colors.

Which Colors Are Harder to Remove?

Black tattoo pigment absorbs all wavelengths, which makes it the easiest color to erase. Newer laser tattoo removal methods can remove or lighten nearly all colors with few side effects. Even the boldest of colors can be effectively lightened with multiple treatments.

However, not all lasers are created equal. When a clinic purchases a laser for tattoo removal, it’s up to the clinic to choose one with the proper technology to effectively treat multiple pigments. In fact, wavelength is one of the most important factors any tattoo removal practice will consider when buying their machine.

At Dermacare of Hampton Roads, we take our tech one step further. We use the Quanta Discovery Pico laser.  Not only does it use three wavelengths to shatter the pigment, but it also operates in two modes:  Q-Switch and Pico Second.   It fills the critical need for multiple wavelengths and provides consistent results with few complications.

Other Factors That Affect Tattoo Removal

The number of treatments you will need to lighten and fade your tattoo depends on a few factors. The age of the tattoo and the size and color of the tattoo make a difference in how treatment is approached and the number of sessions that will be needed. Every treatment process is unique, which is why a personal consultation is so crucial.

You can learn more about the technology we use and the results we achieve by visiting our Laser Tattoo Removal page and following our blog as we discuss this topic in more detail.