Can I use a laser hair removal to remove a tattoo on my leg?

No, this will cause a burn and is not recommend. Tattoos can be removed with laser tattoo removal and will take a series of treatments. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Thank you for your question in regards to laser hair removal. It is not recommended to use the same laser/wavelength/settings for tattoo removal as it is for hair removal. Risks of burning your skin, developing blisters and/or pigmentation issues are high. To be sure what is best for you, see two or more board-certified providers in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have treatment. I hope this helps.

Thank you for your question. No, you can not use a laser hair removal laser to remove a tattoo as this will cause burns. That being said in my office I use the PicoSure laser. PicoSure has a short pulse duration that exceeds photothermal action and results in an intense photomechanical impact. This adds up to faster results and fewer treatments when compared to other tattoo removal methods. It works best on darker inks such as black and blue. The number of sessions required to lighten or remove a tattoo can range from 6-10 sessions. The amount of sessions depends on the size, color and placement of the tattoo. The further the tattoo is from the heart the more time it will take to remove. I recommend having a consultation with an expert to determine the best treatment plan for you. Best of Luck!

Thank you for your question. No, you can not use a laser hair removal laser to remove a tattoo as this will cause burns. That being said in my office I use the PicoSure laser. PicoSure has a short pulse duration that exceeds photothermal action and results in an intense photomechanical impact. This adds up to faster results and fewer treatments when compared to other tattoo removal methods. It works best on darker inks such as black and blue. The number of sessions required to lighten or remove a tattoo can range from 6-10 sessions. The amount of sessions depends on the size, color and placement of the tattoo. The further the tattoo is from the heart the more time it will take to remove. I recommend having a consultation with an expert to determine the best treatment plan for you. Best of Luck! 

Laser hair removal will not remove your tattoo.  It may incidentally lighten it, but not significantly.  The laser required for tattoo removal is different and is based on what color pigments are in your tattoo.  Be sure to see a board-certified specialist who can perform the tattoo removal in a virtually pain-free way and explain to you what to expect with the procedure.

Hello, I would not advise using laser hair reduction methods for removal of your tattoo.  There are specific wavelengths used to target the area of treatment, i.e. hair vs. tattoo.  Please seek out a Board Certified tattoo removal expert.  It is very important to do your research on the Provider you choose, as scarring with tattoo removal is common if not performed properly. 

Regards,

Hello, thank you for your question.  It would not be recommended to use the laser/spot sizes used for laser hair reduction for tattoo removal.  Please look for a board certified provider to provide laser tattoo removal.  Laser tattoo removal will be a series of treatments, with different wavelengths to target different color inks. The latest technology in tattoo removal is the pico-second technology. The PicoWay Laser (Candela/Syneron) uses photoacoustic
impact/pressure waves rather than photothermal/heat.  This process has less heat, therefore it is
more comfortable and the chances of hyperpigmentation are less.  The Pico-second pulse shatters the ink into
even smaller particles, allowing the body to more easily absorb the ink.  This type of device can usually remove a tattoo in about half as many treatments as the traditional Q-switch devices.  You can check in your area to see if this technology is available by clicking on the web link attached and putting in your zipcode.Good Luck!

 The wavelengths and the way the energy is delivered  determine the type of laser we use for a specific procedure. Usually the lasers used for  tattoo removal and laser hair removal are different..  It is important to use the right laser/ settings based on your skin type, the type  /color of the hair being treated and the color/characteristics of the tattoo.Please make sure that your practitioner is has experience in various types of lasers to give you the best advice/outcome.

This will instantly give you a burn. This is highly not recommended. The wavelength is wrong as well as the pulse duration. I use the Piqo4 laser for tattoos because it has 4 wavelengths, nano and picosecond durations, and very high energy outputs.

Thanks for your question, and I think I understand why you are asking. There are 1064 wavelength lasers that are designed for hair removal, and other 1064 lasers designed for vascular conditions like spider veins for example, and still others designed for tattoo removal. Any 1064 laser can result in hair loss in the treated region, so that would be on the consent form as a possible side effect. If tattoo removal is the goal, you need to be treated with a laser designed for this specifically. So, wavelength is just one of the physics variables of a laser. There are many others including spot size, pulse duration, cooling, peak power, and more that come into play in determining its designated use. A laser designed for hair removal would likely burn and scar a skin area that contained a tattoo.
Best,
Lisa Vuich, MD