Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

The question gets asked all the time by people like you and I who have a tattoo we no longer want. We’re into a new phase of our life. The tattoo doesn’t represent how we currently see ourselves. Or it’s just bad work, and we now know much higher quality tattoo artists. Regardless of why we want it removed, what we want to know is, will the method we want to use to remove the tattoo really work?

That’s the whole reason this website was created in the first place. To explore what works, create a community around quality tattoo removal, and share the best strategies and methods to getting your tattoo effectively removed. As you read through the content on this site, you will know that we  believe that tattoo removal creams don’t work and are unsafe, and that tattoo removal is best handled by a professional doctor. So that brings us to laser tattoo removal and the question:

Does laser tattoo removal really work?

In order to answer this question we have to understand it’s not a black and white answer. When it comes to laser tattoo removal, there are many factors to consider including:

  • Who is completing the procedure? A Dermatologist, Doctor, or a trained Professional?
  • What type of Laser Tattoo Machine is the practice using that is doing the removal?
  • Do they have quality references and referrals that you can talk to
  • What type of tattoo do you want to have removed? What colors of ink? How large is the tattoo?
  • What was the quality of the artist and shop that created the tattoo for you in the first place?

Now let’s unpack each of these questions to get closer to understanding how laser tattoo removal works and how each of these factors can effect the outcome of the procedure.

Who is completing the procedure?

Each state varies by law and requirements of the business and who can operate the laser. For example, in New Jersey it’s required that a Doctor perform the laser procedure as they have classified the service as a medical procedure. Other states, like NY can have a practicioner perform the service without being a qualified Doctor. You should understand the regulations in your state and know the type of knowledge and training that the individual performing the laser tattoo removal has.

We recommend to go to a licensed Medical Doctor certified as a Dermatologist to perform the removal. It’s a long process and you want to have the best chance to have it completed the right way. The skin is the largest organ in your body and is a complex system that needs to be understood holistically. A Dermatologist has the training and understanding of the skin necessary to make the right decisions and provide the procedure with the approach of a medical procedure.

You’re not just getting a haircut here, you’re having pigment blasted that is encapsulated within your skin into tiny particles that will carried out of your lymph system, through your liver, and eventually out of your body. The person performing the laser removal procedure shouldn’t just understand how to operate the laser, but also how your complex skin system works and how your body will react and work to detox your body of the pigment being removed.

For these reasons, we recommend going to a medical professional to complete the service. Most offices that provide the service by a practicioner, will be overseen by a Doctore, but I still feel the best approach is to have the M.D. complete the procedure themselves and have that M.D. to consult with directly about your questions and detox strategy.

What Type of Laser Tattoo Machine Are They Using?

One of the other thing that most states are regulating is the type of laser that is being used and whether or not it’s approved by the FDA. You can find all type of lasers on Alibaba.com, Ebay.com, or even Amazon.com, but would you trust the machine? Does the manufacturer provide the right testing, approvals, and maintenance support of the machines for the operator?

These are all questions you shouldn’t have to worry about, because we have researched laser tattoo removal machines and which ones are the best. Based on our research, the PicoSure laser seems to be one of the most trusted and accepted machines in the industry utilizing the latest technology.

Do they have quality references and referrals that you can talk to

Having quality references to talk to may be important. From what it seems, most people who complete a successful laser tattoo removal ususally will say it took longer than they expected, and sometimes cost more than they budgeted. Although, laser technology continues to improve so we may be seeing this trend heading in the opposite direction. Regardless, you want to talk to someone who completed a removal at the specific office where you are considering having it done.

With more and more options of laser tattoo removal practices being available, you should find the best value for your investment. By talking to someone who went to the practice you can get a feel for the quality of care throughout the process, the attention to detail of the final result (not just the next session), the advice and action the practice gives in relation to detox or chelation therapy, and their overall satisfaction with the process.

This may take some time to find a reference and talk to them but it’s worth it. Try the Facebook page of the establishment and look for reviews there, check their Yelp, and website, and then contact the Laser Tattoo Removal studio directly and ask for a reference with a similar tattoo or situation to yours.

What type of tattoo do you want to have removed? What colors of ink? How large is the tattoo?

The size of your tattoo is obviously a factor in the removal process. But so is the colors that were used. With advances in tattoo removal laser technology, it’s becoming less of a factore, but certain colors are still harder to break down in your skin than others. The pigments of yellows, reds, and blues are

What was the quality of the artist and shop that created the tattoo for you in the first place?

As we’ve mentioned, the skin is a complex organ of your body. It regulates temperature, protects your internal organs, and allows you to soak in nutrients and vitamin D from the sun. As such, the skin also contains many layers that provide different functions, but these layers may also contain different portions of ink. Depending on the skill level of the tattoo artist that originally applied the tattoo, this could be a problem.

If you received your tattoo from a seasoned professional tattoo artist, most likely they have a “light hand” and “feather the ink” in, meaning it doesn’t go deep into your skin.

In Summary

As you can see there are a lot of factors that go into how well Laser Tattoo Removal works and how you can make it work best for you. The short answer is YES, Laser Tattoo Removal does work, but it’s a process. You’re running a marathon, not just a quick sprint and you’re done. So take the time, do the research, plan it out, create your budget, negotiate the price.