What tattoo ink colors are easiest to remove?

Which ink colors are easiest to remove using laser tattoo removal?  Any ink colors that won't come out at all?

2 answers to “What tattoo ink colors are easiest...”

A: Easiest tattoo removal

Elizabeth F. Rostan, MD

Black ink (and shades thereof) is the easiest tattoo color to remove. Colors are more difficult and sometimes may never be completely removed even after numerous treatments. Amateur tattoos that are not done by a professional are the easiest of all tattoos to remove and often resolve with as few as 2 - 3 sessions.

A: Tattoo colors that are easiest to remove?

Louis M. DeJoseph, MD

First off you must use a Q switched laser system for tattoo removal Black and Grey are the easiest ink colors to remove. Usually, a Yag(1064nm) laser works well for these) Green is the most difficult followed by light blue (Yag and Alexandrite lasers 1064nm and 755nm). Red/brown/yellow/orange respond well in... more

Comments

storm
18 posts
24 Feb 2009

carbon black used in most body tattoos are the eeasiest to remove..black grey and blue are very receptive to laser treatment too..it is the ruby laser that works best on these colours...the yag laser is often used on reds yellows oranges tho green is often the most difiicult one to remove..pigments high in titanium are a problem for laser white being the main offender..often used in beige tones or lip colours..these can turn black with laser..and with subsequent treatments will eventually respond to laser..if a tattoo turns blue however...it will respond very well to ruby laser..often with brown pigments used in eyebrow tattoing..it almost always turn blue with laser but it soon fades..if the pigment turn red..then a yag laser is best for that colour..hope that helps..

ericbergerm
36 posts
6 Jan 2009

The most difficult colors are Light Blue and Green. Unfortunately, tattoo inks are virtually unregulated and there must be several hundred brands and formulations. Many people come to me with "Black" tattoos which are actually dark blue based. Generally, 8-12 treatments spaced 8 weeks apart are necessary for black and red, but light blue and green can take years to get rid of.

quinnmd
38 posts
7 Jan 2009

Black ink is the easiest to remove, and I find that yellow is almost impossible to remove.  I typically use a few different types of lasers to lift pigment, as well as offer an acid mechanical removal.  Good luck!

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