Over the last few decades tattoos have become more socially acceptable and more common. However, according to a 2012 poll conducted by Harris Interactive, 14 percent of Americans who have tattoos regret getting them. With nearly 45 million people in the U.S. with tattoos, that equates to over six million tattoos that need removal.
Fortunately, tattoo removal has come a long way from the early days where the injection or application of wine, lime, garlic, or pigeon excrement was used. At the same time the popularity of tattoos was surging, laser technology was evolving to develop techniques for successful removal of unwanted tattoos. In fact, today’s newest tattoo laser removal techniques are extremely effective for removing unwanted ink.
Like with any medical procedure, it is not always simple. There are some factors which may affect the success of the removal. These include tattoo coloring, age, size, location on the body and even the patient’s smoking status.
Ink Color
Dermatologists have long known that certain color inks are significantly more difficult to remove than others. Typically black or red inks are fairly easy to remove while yellows and blues are more difficult. A 2010 study published by the American Medical Association documented the success rates of treatment using a Q-Switch laser in removing hues in a multicolored tattoo after 10 treatment sessions. Here is a breakdown of the success rate:
- Black - 22.4%
- Red - 21.9%
- Green - 14.2%
- Yellow - 3.4%
- Blue - 0%
- Pink - 0%
Since 2010, technology advancements and the introduction of the PicoSure laser have allowed for greater success in removing colors that were historically harder to treat.
Tattoo Age
Oftentimes older tattoos are more difficult to remove. This is primarily because ink particles move deeper into the skin’s layers over time.
Tattoo Size
Generally speaking, the larger the tattoo, the more difficult it will be to remove. The 2010 JAMA study noted above identified tattoos that were over 12 inches in diameter as being the least successfully removed after 10 treatments.
Tattoo Location
The location of the tattoo also factors in ease of removal. Tattoos on lower legs and feet were found to be the hardest to remove. This is due to their distance from the heart and consequently the comparatively reduced level of blood flow compared to other areas of the body. Areas that are closest to the heart are often quickest to respond to treatment.
Smoking Status
The study found a direct negative correlation between smoking and successful tattoo removal. Study subjects who smoked experienced 70 percent less successful tattoo removal after 10 sessions compared to subjects who did not smoke. This drop is likely due to smoking’s effect on wound healing and the body’s self-repair processes.
