As we grow, we evolve as humans. Our opinions change, and so do our choices. Talking of evolution, many people often choose tattoos to voice their life choices, display their love and affection, and show their commitment to someone or something. However, as they evolve, they might decide to remove their tattoos permanently or for some other tattoo. Here, laser tattoo removal services can help. So, if you are considering tattoo removal but don't know how it works, read this post as we walk you through the science behind it.
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Understanding the Science Behind Tattoo Removal
During the tattoo removal process, the practitioner uses a laser to guide it over the area of your tattoo. The laser for tattoo removal produces light energy pulses. Each energy pulse penetrates the skin and is gently absorbed by the tattoo's ink.
When the ink particles of the tattoo absorb the energy, they eventually heat up and shatter into tiny fragments. After weeks following the treatment, the body's immune system flushes the ink particles of the tattoo away, lightening the tattoo's appearance on the skin.
Depending on the type and size of your tattoo, you may be advised on the number of sessions for complete tattoo removal. Each laser tattoo removal treatment session breaks down more of the tattoo's ink until none remains.
Now let's go deeper into unravelling the laser physics and wavelengths for the removal of tattoos from the skin:
Laser is the abbreviation of light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation. So, it's important to know that these lasers emit monochromatic or single wavelength/colour light. The light is emitted through a process referred to as stimulated emission or series of pulses. Therefore, a flash lamp or a quick flashing light excites the crystal's atoms with ND: YAG laser rod.
So, photons are emitted when the atoms receive the energy. These photons travel at a specific wavelength which, through the laser beam, passes that energy into the skin, which is absorbed by the ink particles of the tattoo.
Here is how different colours of the tattoo ink are targeted during the procedure:
As different colours are used in tattoos, different light wavelengths are absorbed and reflected at different rates. Here's an example: the red tattoo appears red because it absorbs green light. Therefore, during the ink removal process, it is vital to ensure that the tattoo absorbs the wavelength of the laser light smoothly and seamlessly. Hence, to remove red ink from your tattoo, the practitioner shall use green laser light to heat up the ink particles and shatter them. So, it is important to have access to various laser wavelengths.
Nonetheless, the most popular and common wavelengths used to remove tattoos with a laser are 1064nm and 532nm. These wavelengths are excellent for treating approximately 95 per cent of tattoos. Some practitioners also use a wavelength of 755nm and 694nm. These wavelengths are proven and useful for treating ink particles, especially rare ink colours such as bright green and blue.
How Does the Body React to the Laser for Tattoo Removal?
It is crucial to understand that getting laser tattoo removal treatments is not a quick or instant fix. It takes multiple sessions to remove a tattoo, sometimes even 12 sessions for one tattoo. Hence, tattoo removal is a commitment of several months as the sessions are spaced out at least six weeks apart.
The process takes a while to remove the tattoo because not all the ink of the tattoo can be removed and shattered in one go. It is because when the tattoo is made on the skin, the ink is induced at different depths in the dermis. So, during tattoo removal, the laser light is first absorbed by the layers at the top of the dermis. At this point, the deeper layers of the skin are not affected.
However, once the body flushes the ink's top layer away, the laser energy penetrates into the deeper layers of the treated area. Hence, during every session, the light of the laser penetrates deeper until all the ink is successfully removed.
Another thing that you should know is that all tattoo removal sessions can't be administered back to back in a week. You must demonstrate patience. The treatments are spaced because the body takes some time to flush out the shattered ink of the tattoo from the targeted location. It is because the immune system's phagocytic cells move the ink particles gradually to the body's lymph nodes before they exit the body.
Moreover, it is beneficial to wait between laser treatments to view maximum fading after each session. Besides this, the waiting time also gives the body ample time to heal any scabs and blisters formed during the tattoo removal procedure. Hence, it reduces the risk of over-treating the targeted area, which can otherwise result in unwanted side effects.
Contact us to learn more about tattoo removal equipment or for laser tattoo removal treatment. At Counterpunch, we specialise in tattoo removal. We are a premier studio for tattoo removal in Brisbane. We have highly-qualified staff licensed by the Queensland Government.
At Counterpunch, we follow the highest quality standards and conform to the guidelines of Queensland when performing tattoo removal. Our technicians use the best techniques and laser tattoo removal equipment with utmost care and precision, ensuring the job is done correctly and to your satisfaction.
So, what are you waiting for? Visit our studio today to get your tattoo removed with minimal discomfort and pain. Thankfully at our studio, there is absolutely no tattoo that we cannot remove. Give us a chance to help you. You'll be happy with your decision. Book an appointment now.