Is Laser Tattoo Removal Possible for Dark Skin?

Question

I am a very dark-skinned black woman interested in laser tattoo removal. From what I've read it seems questionable as to whether or not I am a candidate because of how dark my complexion is.I don't develop keloids, have a few small (<1/2") hypertrophic scars that have smoothed over the years, and have never scarred from a burn. I have two tattoos that I am interested in removing (pictured is the larger of the two; approx. 4 x 4" on my right upper back).Can anyone weigh in as to whether or not laser removal is possible, how many sessions would be required and expense?

Michael Law, MD · Answer

In our practice, we have successfully treated dark skinned individuals for tattoo removal without side effects like scarring or pigmentation problems.. In fact, some of our medical team and laser providers with dark skin can share their experience with you. It is important to find a skilled and experienced technician in a reputatble medical office using the right technology. Many lasers will absorb the pigmentation on the surface of the skin rather than the ink. It is very important to find a medical office with a lot of laser experience.

Mansour Bendago, FRCSC · Answer

It
is definitely effective and safe on darker skin types as long as a Q-Switched
Nd: YAG laser is used. The safest tattoo color to remove is black. The
Q-Switched Nd:YAG is safe because the wavelength is 1064nm, which is longer and
therefore bypasses the melanin (pigment) within the epidermis as compared to
other Q-Switched lasers.

When
colors like red or green are targeted for removal, there is a possibility of
permanently lightening the skin in the area. This hypopigmentation can occur as
these colors need a different wavelength to specifically be targeted and can
affect the skin later on.

On
average you will need 6-8 sessions. Each session would start from $150.

Jennifer Mundt, NMD · Answer

Thank you for sharing a photo. It is absolutely possible to clear ink on darker skin. The key is to use the wavelength 1064nm. This is the only wavelength does not like to pick up on your melanin in your skin. The PicoWay laser has wonderful power on this wavelength as well, but you will not need all that power to get it to work. From the photo, I think you will need 6-7 treatments with the PicoWay. Injectable numbing is available if you need as well.

Milan Doshi, MS, MCh · Answer

Greeting,Laser tattoo removal is possible for those with dark complexions as well. It would be best to consult a cosmetic dermatologist close to you to know better details. 
  
Best of luck
  
Dr Milan Doshi
  
Mumbai, India

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photograph. Yes, there are chances for this tattoo to respond to laser treatments. In my office, I like to use Picosure laser which has a short pulse duration that exceeds photothermal action and results in an intense photomechanical impact. It works best on darker inks such as black and blue and on all types of skin. The number of sessions required to remove a tattoo can range from 6-10 sessions. I recommend you consult an expert in laser tattoo removal to determine the best treatment plan for you. All the best!

Ariel Ostad, MD · Answer

Tattoo removal for all skin types is absolutely possible. In my practice, we offer PicoWay for tattoo removal. This laser can treat any patient, of all skin tones. Pico way is an advanced laser using ultra-short picosecond pulses delivered to the skin. The resulting bursts of energy create a photo-mechanical impact, breaking up the particles of skin pigmentation. For optimal results, contact a board-certified dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon to set up a consultation. Thank you.

Renita (Lourdhurajan) Rajan, MD, DNB · Answer

Hi, It is indeed possible to remove tattoos, even in darker skin types with lasers. In my practice, we deal predominantly only with darker skin types, and I am very happy with both the safety and the efficacy. I now use a Picoway, and this has added significantly to the safety factor - where there was some textural change likely with the earlier Q switched laser that we had, the pigment clearance with Picoway leaves hardly any scarring or textural change behind. With type V/VI   skin, our strategy has been to use lesser fluences and plan for treatments over longer intervals, even upto 3-4 months been sessions. I have performed Picoway laser tattoo removal even in patients with keloids/keloidal tendencies without any problem. The clearance, I feel, is very much dependant on the time interval as much as on the fluence used, so lesser number of sessions would be adequate, too. Good luck!

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photograph. Yes, there are chances for this tattoo to respond to laser treatments. In my office, I like to use Picosure laser which has a short pulse duration that exceeds photothermal action and results in an intense photomechanical impact. It works best on darker inks such as black and blue and on all types of skin. The number of sessions required to remove a tattoo can range from 6-10 sessions. I recommend you consult an expert in laser tattoo removal to determine the best treatment plan for you. All the best!

David L. Robbins, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, tattoo removal is
possible on all skin types, from Fitzpatrick I-VI. However, we will not treat
tan skin, as tan skin is more likely to have permanent side effects, including
scarring and permanent pigment damage. Tanning, whether from direct sunlight,
tanning beds, or self-tanner, must be avoided while receiving treatments.

David S. Rosenberg, MD · Answer

Yes tattoo removal can totally be done for darker skin types.  I use the Picosure and start as a safe setting to minimize risk of complications.  With each treatment, the intensity is increased as long as the patient has tolerated previous treatments well

Is Laser Tattoo Removal Possible for Dark Skin?

Answers (16)

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