Removing Tattoos: not All Colors are Alike

Tattoos have become commonplace in today'sloss of pigmentation that the other procedures will
society. Tattoo parlors have reported recordcause.
demand over the past five years, and theIn many cases, the tattoo will completely
percentage of individuals with tattoos hasdisappear. Greater than 95% fading of the tattoo
increased significantly over that same time period.may be accomplished with laser treatments.
In recent times, an increasing number of womenHowever, it is very important to know that over
have been getting tattoos. While teenage girls are100 tattoo inks are in use worldwide today, none
the average female customers, more women inof which are regulated by the FDA. Not knowing
their 30s and 40s are getting tattoos as well. Andwhich tattoo ink, how deep or how much was
the reasons for getting a tattoo are as varied asused, makes it impossible for the physician to
the designs. While some individuals get tattooed topredict the degree of removal on any given
mark special occasions, some get them for notattoo.
special reason at all.Often times, it is the color of the tattoo itself
But with this growing trend comes many whothat determines the success of the laser removal
ultimately regret the decision. Some see theirprocedure. The type of laser used to remove a
tattoo as a mistake immediately, while otherstattoo depends on the tattoo's pigment colors.
become less satisfied with the body art overThe Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser has become the
time. As we age, the breakdown of collagen instandard laser for tattoo removal. This laser
the skin leaves tattoos looking worn &effectively removes black, blue, purple and red
unappealing. As sure as the tattoo craze has beentattoo pigment. The VersaPulse laser combines
growing, so to has the demand for tattoofour lasers in one unit, including three proven
removal.Q-switched lasers (Q-switched ND:YAG,
Traditional methods of tattoo removal includedQ-switched Alexandrite, and Q-switched FD
dermabrasion, chemical treatments or Excision.ND:YAG) and is shown effective in treating all ink
While immediate and more economical, thesecolors including yellow and green, typically the
procedures generally leave serious scarring whichhardest colors to remove.
in many instances looks worse than the tattoo.Removing a small tattoo of one color may take
But today, more & more dermatologists &two to six 10-20 minute laser treatments;
cosmetic professionals are turning to lasers tomulticolored tattoos may take up to 6 or more
fade & remove tattoos.sessions depending on their size and types of ink.
Everything from small, single-color tattoos toSessions are usually spaced 4-6 weeks apart
large, multicolored ones can now be significantlyIt is advised that you consult a professional for
faded, if not completely erased, by the beams ofinformation concerning tattoo removal to
light that new, special lasers produce. And, asdetermine the best option for you. For more
importantly, there is little risk of the scarring orinformation, please visit Cos-Pro for more info.