Does laser tattoo removal leave a scar?

The proper tatoo laser can often remove the tattoo with very little scarring.  We use the Spectra pulsed dye Yag laser from Lutronic.  Unfortunately, this laser is more expensive than some other lasers that are in use and some unscrupulous providers use these lasers or even use modalities such as... more

Hi!  Three points: 1)  Tattoo removal is often not complete. 2)  The lasered skin can look bleached. 3)   If the tattoo color is deep, and the laser is done very deeply trying to remove all the color, then you can get unsightly scarring.

The object of laser treatment for tattoos is to use a specific laser that will target the chromophore (tattoo pigment) .  Different colored tattoos require different wavelength lasers to achieve the best result.  For example, green or teal colored tattoos respond best to an alexandrite laser Wherever... more

Generally speaking, laser tattoo removal does not result in scar formation. However, invariably, there is some loss of pigmentation especially with darker complected individuals. Over time this becomes less noticeable and sometimes the outline of the orginal tattoo can persist.

Professional tattoos typically distribute large particles of ink uniformly in the deep dermis (deeper layer of the skin).  They are more difficult to remove that amateur tattoos, which are typically comprised of irregular placement of a less amount of ink in the superficial dermis. Black tattoos are... more

 Unfortunately, there will be some sort of scar left behind, even with the best tattoo removal lasers. Not exactly a scar but a remnant that a tattoo was once there. That is why most of us feel you should think long and hard when you get the tattoo in the first place. There may be techniques later to... more

Tattoo removal with laser works by a process known as selective photothermolysis.  The pigment in the tattoo is targeted by the laser light.  Macrophages then phagocytose the tattoo particles. If the tattoo is deeply imbedded or the wrong laser is used, hypopigmentation and scarring will ensue... more