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Laser tattoo removal
There is an old game called asteroids where you basically explode asteroids into smaller and smaller pieces. Well, that is what the laser does to the tattoo pigment embedded in the dermis of your skin. It selectively explodes the pigment into smaller particles and then you wait 4-8 weeks between treatments while your macrophages (garbage-eating cells) collect the pieces.
Dr. Jennifer Haley reviewed this
25 year experience in Dermatology
Related questions
A 42-year old asked:
What amount does laser tattoo removal cost?
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A 32-year old asked:
Can laser tattoo removal cause health problem?
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A 31-year old asked:
I was wondering how effective is laser tattoo removal?
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A 50-year old asked:
What health problems are caused by laser tattoo removal?
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A 31-year old asked:
Can you tell me if laser tattoo removal hurts less than second or third sessions?
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A 24-year old male asked:
Should I be concerned about any health implications from laser tattoo removal? Or is it an unnecessary concern?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
In laser tattoo removal, what happens to the old ink?
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A 39-year old asked:
Can laser tattoo removal cause keloids?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 47-year old asked:
Is laser tattoo removal safe to use for my tattooed eyelids?
7 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
Laser tattoo removal? Does it leave a dark or scarred spot?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 38-year old female asked:
Is redness and swelling normal 1 day after laser tattoo removal?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 24-year old male asked:
Can the Fraxel Laser improve scarring caused by laser tattoo removal?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A male asked:
I take 25mg methotrexate weekly and want to have laser tattoo removal, will that be ok/?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 33-year old asked:
Is laser tattoo removal harmful for the eyes?
4 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
A 47-year old asked:
Is it safe for me to do laser tattoo removal where my abdomen is?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 35-year old asked:
What will happen if im HIV positive and i get laser tattoo removal?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 31-year old asked:
Is it better to use a fading cream before laser tattoo removal treatment?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 24-year old male asked:
Can anything be done to reduce the appearance of scars caused by laser tattoo removal? (i.e. dermabrasion, etc.)
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 38-year old female asked:
How long should I be off low dose methotrexate for RA before having laser tattoo removal?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old asked:
After laser tattoo removal treatment I have a large blister in one area. Is this normal?
3 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
A 35-year old asked:
I had my laser tattoo removal treatment done and have a blister in one area. Is this normal?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 24-year old male asked:
Can silicon gel sheets fade the appearance of scars from laser tattoo removal? (The scar is about 3 years old).
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 24-year old male asked:
I'm undergoing laser tattoo removal. Read about possible cancers caused by fragmented ink particles. Can a healthy immune system eliminate most ink?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 23-year old male asked:
In laser tattoo removal, what happens to the ink your body can't remove? Does it stay in your lymph nodes, kidneys, etc. Can it cause health problems?
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A 25-year old male asked:
Can the Fraxel 1550 resurface superficial burn scars from laser tattoo removal? I'm desperate to diminish its appearance.
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 25-year old male asked:
I am scarred from laser tattoo removal, and I'm left more distressed than before. What treatments are available to reduce its appearance?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 26-year old male asked:
I have hypertrophic scarring from laser tattoo removal ~5 years old. Resurfaced w/ 4 Fraxel Tx. Will this type of scar continue to flatten over time?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 25-year old female asked:
I am having laser tattoo removal on the back of my neck. I had my first session two weeks ago , its healing very well however I noticed a round hard painful lump at the base of my skull back of neck. Swollen lymph node??
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old male asked:
Laser tattoo removal on left arm. noticed swollen lymph nodes on right side and left side of neck been there for 6 months now. Should I worry?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 31-year old female asked:
Recent laser tattoo removal session. w/ in week went to ER for heart palpitations nausea and fatigue. Labs inconclusive. Symptoms still persist.
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
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