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Which Laser is the Best for a Black Tattoo Removal?

asked 1 year ago by Alexandria Marie in Wake Forest, NC
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 249 times
Tags: calves, best, black ink, laser

I'm 25 years old, I got a black angel tattoo the size of my hand when I was 18. It has great detailing and has light and dark black throughout. I hate it now & I have to use cover ups when I wear dresses. I can't wear skirts to work. I want it gone. This thursday I have an appointment set up with an MD in Raleigh NC. What type of questions should I ask to make sure this guy is legit. Also is there a certain type of laser that works best? I really don't want any scars at all :(

4 answers to Which Laser is the Best for a Black Tattoo Removal?

+2

Treatment of black tattoos

Black tattoos tend to be the easiest of tattoos to treat. Virtually any of the q-switched lasers will work. I would treat the tattoo once a month rotating the treatments between a q-switched ruby, q-switched Alexandrite and q-switc hed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. Newer techniques may aloow for complete removal in as few as three treatments. But complete removal varies based on the amount of tattoo pigment as well as its type and depth.
Mitchel Goldman, MD

San Diego Dermatologic Surgeon
+2

Questions about tattoo laser

In general black inks respond the best to the tattoo lasers.  You should be looking to have treatment with a Q-switched laser (usually either Nd:YAG or Alexandrite).  Multiple treatments will be necessary to get the best outcome and though it may completely disappear with enough treatments, it is certainly quite possible that the lasers will not be able to remove absolutely all of the ink.  Complications are possible with any treatment (including scarring) but in general your... more
Daniel Berg, MD

Seattle Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Laser tattoo removal

Laser tattoo removal can make some tattoos vanish and others look barely noticalbe. It may take 10 more monthly treatments. Although there is a risk fo scarring, this is xtraoridnarily rare. Hyperpigmentation is a risk, though as is hypopigmentation,but this is not common, either.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Black Tattoo respond well to many lasers

Black ink is the most common, and fortunately the most responsive, of all tattoo pigments.  I prefer the Q-switched Nd:Yag laser (1064nm), but the Q-switched Alexandrite (755nm) or Q-switched Ruby (694nm) are equally effective. Most important, is to see a Board Certified (see the American Board of Medical Specialties website) Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon with an expertise in laser surgery.  The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery or the American Society of Laser... more
Jeffrey C. Poole, MD

Metairie Dermatologic Surgeon

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