What happens to the ink during laser tattoo removal?

How does the laser remove the ink from skin? Is it sucked out of the skin or pushed deeper, so that you can't see it from the surface? Does it burn it off? Thanks!

Answers from doctors (3)


Brooklyn Laser Tattoo Removal, Inc.

Published on Mar 29, 2016

The classical answer is lasers break the ink into tiny particles so the immune system can much more easily remove the ink. The lymphatic system removes the ink and it exits through the urine. If doing treatments with blistering, some ink also comes off the top of the skin after the scabs peel. Hopefully you don't pop any blisters!! We have observed immediate dramatic lightening (with a regular non blistering treatment), which lead us to believe there is also a factor of the ink being broken apart and driven deeper, causing it to be less visible. The dramatic immediate lightening was on shaded areas where most of the ink was no longer visible IMMEDIATELY. We caution that it is a very unusually good result and not to be expected. The right lasers cause the ink to very quickly absorb laser energy and explode. Most patients believe lots of energy needs to be used and blisters need to form for the process to be effective. This is false. We see some of our most impressive results using less energy and supporting the immune system. Less energy causes ledd epidermal damage (which is mostly inside and unseen when using less energy). We like when we check up on patients the next day and they report no pain and minimal to no tenderness. Each person is unique and each responds differently. the quality of your nutrition, and lifestyle has the biggest effect. Example one large size patient travels a long way to see us and was instructed to drink close to 100 ounces of water a day. His tattoos are getting lighter and he sent a picture after the 4th treatment when he commented he drank 12 (yes twelve ounces of water that day). We reminded him of the above closer to 100 ounces would speed the fading. But 3 weeks later after reminding him again he said he drank 12 ounces of water that day. So if you are willing to help your body remove the ink, your results will be faster. Very few tatttoo removal practitioners are trained in helping the body remove the ink.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/6658_1438620511.jpg
Answered by Brooklyn Laser Tattoo Removal, Inc.

The classical answer is lasers break the ink into tiny particles so the immune system can much more easily remove the ink. The lymphatic system removes the ink and it exits through the urine. If doing treatments with blistering, some ink also comes off the top of the skin after the scabs peel. Hopefully you don't pop any blisters!! We have observed immediate dramatic lightening (with a regular non blistering treatment), which lead us to believe there is also a factor of the ink being broken apart and driven deeper, causing it to be less visible. The dramatic immediate lightening was on shaded areas where most of the ink was no longer visible IMMEDIATELY. We caution that it is a very unusually good result and not to be expected. The right lasers cause the ink to very quickly absorb laser energy and explode. Most patients believe lots of energy needs to be used and blisters need to form for the process to be effective. This is false. We see some of our most impressive results using less energy and supporting the immune system. Less energy causes ledd epidermal damage (which is mostly inside and unseen when using less energy). We like when we check up on patients the next day and they report no pain and minimal to no tenderness. Each person is unique and each responds differently. the quality of your nutrition, and lifestyle has the biggest effect. Example one large size patient travels a long way to see us and was instructed to drink close to 100 ounces of water a day. His tattoos are getting lighter and he sent a picture after the 4th treatment when he commented he drank 12 (yes twelve ounces of water that day). We reminded him of the above closer to 100 ounces would speed the fading. But 3 weeks later after reminding him again he said he drank 12 ounces of water that day. So if you are willing to help your body remove the ink, your results will be faster. Very few tatttoo removal practitioners are trained in helping the body remove the ink.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The laser's work is to explode/activate the ink molecules. Your body does the "removal" work via macrophages under the skin....think Pac-Men. The ink is pulled out from the skin and disposed of by the body in the normal way (e.g., through kidneys, liver, etc.) The laser should be operated by an experience and trained practitioner, preferably in a medical office setting. We have seen burns come from non-medical clinics.

Answered by Clean Slate Tattoo Removal at Vein Specialties (View Profile)

The laser's work is to explode/activate the ink molecules. Your body does the "removal" work via macrophages under the skin....think Pac-Men. The ink is pulled out from the skin and disposed of by the body in the normal way (e.g., through kidneys, liver, etc.) The laser should be operated by an experience and trained practitioner, preferably in a medical office setting. We have seen burns come from non-medical clinics.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Celibre Medical Corporation

Published on Oct 13, 2009

The tattoo ink is broken down by the heat and light from the laser and
is carried away and disposed of by the blood. It is not pushed deeper
or burned off, but broken apart.

Regards,

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/6573_1439482825.jpg
Answered by Celibre Medical Corporation

The tattoo ink is broken down by the heat and light from the laser and
is carried away and disposed of by the blood. It is not pushed deeper
or burned off, but broken apart.

Regards,

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Related Questions for Laser Tattoo Removal

Laser Tattoo Removal -2 answers
I've had 33 treatments over 5 years on my tattoo at a very good laser center. I know they're using the best lasers for the job. It's faded, but it just won't go away. I'm so frustrated. Is there anything I can try besides the traditional approach?
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -3 answers
I got my first removal session just over 5 weeks ago. I have black and red ink. There are bumps ranging from small to sort of large clusters (seems swelled) in the red part of the tattoo. It's not painful, just slightly tender and gets itchy. Ideas?
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -3 answers
I've had my small wrist tattoo treated 8 times, but the outline is still present (grey looking). I know extremities take longer, but could it be impossible to remove the tattoo considering the depth/placement?
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -4 answers
After the treatment, how long does the ink stay in the body before the blood cells carry it away?I would like to move forward with tattoo removal treatments, but I am planning to get pregnant in September, when do I stop the treatments to be safe?
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -4 answers
I just had my first laser treatment today on my brown eyebrows. The ink has turned red. Is this going to be permanent or will it fade?
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -3 answers
I have developed 3 enormous blisters after having the Picosure procedure, and I'm growing more concerned now that my ankle is swelling. It's 3x bigger. It doesn't make any sense, especially since it was my calf that was treated and not my ankle. Is this normal? I have no pain.
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -3 answers
I had my first session a couple days ago, and the treatment area is super swollen and painful. Is this normal? What can I do to take away the swelling?
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -1 answer
I've had two laser removal sessions, and the tattoo is a bit lighter, but how many more sessions will I need for the tattoo to disappear?
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -3 answers
I had my 3 laser tattoo removal session before 2, 5 weeks, but unlike previous times, it hasn't been healed yet and it looks like a brown smudge. My doctor said that the laser had to go deeper this time so the burning was deeper. I'm scared, is it normal?
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -3 answers
Will drinking water, vitamin supplements, no alcohol, etc.. help with the removal process?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works
Laser Tattoo Removal -3 answers
How many sessions will be needed before my tattoo is removed? What factors influence how long it will take?
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -3 answers
I understand that black tattoos are the easiest to remove because they absorb the entire spectrum of light that the Laser outputs, but I was wondering, can very dark (heavily pigmented tribal tattoos) be completely removed from lower legs? I realize it will obviously take more sessions, but how many?
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -1 answer
I did microblading 3 months ago. I immediately regretted it and few weeks later I did laser tatto removal (Q switch). So far I did 3 laser sessions and every time it makes my skin red and it doesn't remove the ink. I tried at different places and it's always the same result. I now have two very red eyebrows with the tattoo. It's really bad.
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -3 answers
Do I need to wait a certain amount of time before removing it? I got the tattoo about 3 months ago, big mistake, also, will it take more sessions to remove because it is new?
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -2 answers
Hi I have a tattoo at the base of my skull; I got it when my head was shaved. You can see half of it on my neck (below hairline) and half in hair, I'd like to get it removed but I don't want a permanent bald spot. Will Laser TR get rid of the hair?
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -2 answers
As my black tattoo is being treated, it is fading into a brown hue. A once black outline has not turned brown. Does it still need treatment of a different wavelength to target the brown? Why is this? Will it go away and if so, how long will this take?
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -2 answers
Are certain medical lasers better than others? What should I ask my specialist about the laser(s) their facility uses?
See More
Laser Tattoo Removal -3 answers
Is it harder to remove tattoos on the foot/ankle area than other areas of the body? I heard laser tattoo removal works best on more fleshy areas.
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works

Related Articles

Have specific questions?
ASK A DOCTOR