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Ronald Shelton, MD answers: Laser tattoo removal for lips?

I have a cosmetic lip liner tattoo around my lips and want it off because it looks hideous. I was wondering if laser resurfacing is the way to go... YAG, etc... what other lasers are used for tattoo removal? If laser resurfacing is not the way to go, please tell me why.


Ronald Shelton, MD
13 months ago

Lasers often provide an excellent result in removal of permanent lipliner tattooing, if the color is a dark or black color.  The Alexandrite, Neodynium Yag, and Q-switched Ruby lasers can all do the job. On a few occasions, there is a paradoxical darkening that occurs with the color of the tattoo, depending on the color, especially if it is red. This would then require many regular treatments to get through this phase. No guarantee can be given, though, that the color will lighten or go away completely. The treatment is fast and often done with a numbing cream only, although an anesthetic can be injected to make it less uncomfortable depending on your symptoms.

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