Does laser tattoo removal leave a scar?

Laser tattoo removal can be a great procedure for unwanted tattoos.  The goal is to remove the tattoo permanently, or to lighten the tattoo so a new one can be placed.  Most patients are able to see improvements in their tattoos after a few sessions.  Large or heavily pigmented tattoos can require several treatments before they begin to fade.  After the sessions are finished, depending on the tattoo, you may have a slight discoloration of the outline of the tattoo, or slight irregularity of the skin, but it should be minimal in nature.

 

Tattoo removal can result in either scarring or ghosting.  Here are some tips:
Faster pulse second technology like pico second is a better technology than nano for scarring. 
Experience can help patients.  Oversight from an experienced physician (best if plastic, facial plastic or dermatology) will likely result in safer outcomes.
Stay out of the sun— sunlight can be harmful to healing in after any laser procedure
Avoid infections- This means keep your tattoo area clean (i.e. don’t garden right after a tattoo removal on your arm, etc), don’t pick scabs or blisters if they occur.  Follow our post procedure instructions.  Avoid swimming for 48 hours as water can infect the treated areas.
Allow healing between treatment sessions- typically 4-8 weeks
Be healthy- while the tattoo laser breaks up the tattoo particles, your body will actually eliminate the particles in one of 3 ways.  being healthy will help achieve this process faster and allow for consistent healing

When preformed correctly with a medical aesthetican, there should be no residual appearance of the tattoo remaining. When working with any type of laser there is a small chance of effects such as hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and scarring. Although when preformed properly the risks are minimal there is always a chance. Make sure to book a consultation with a licensed medical aesthetican.

Yes, tattoo removal can completely remove a tattoo, but it can also sometimes leave a "scar".  The scar can be as minor is a slightly shiny, whitish "shadow", or it can be much thicker and more severe.  In our practice, we only use the Picosure laser which has been proven to not only be more effective, but also less likely to leave significant scars.  We have also treated scars and recalcitrant tattoos treated with other lasers and have some effective techniques to break up scar tissue to release more ink.

Tattoo removal with lasers can vary how the procedure is performed by different providers. It is important to see a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who has had appropriate training with lasers. Scars are very rare but can be created if there is a secondary infection or if the laser settings are not appropriate for the skin type. Some colors respond better than others and although some tattoo pigment is cleared 100%, many results are very good while some hint of a shadow can remain. Lighter skin color or post inflammatory darkening of one's skin can occur and this is usually temporary. There is a small percent of  tattoos for unknown reasons are resistant to the laser treatment and only a small component of the pigment diminishes. Different colors, depth of tattoo, age of tattoo, skin type are some of the variables that may affect the outcome.  It was only in the older days where, as an example, dermabrasion or salabrasion were done to lighten and remove tattoos and scars were inevitable. It is not the goal to hide a tattoo by causing a scar over it.The information provided in Dr. Shelton's answer is for educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice.  The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with a qualified health professional who may be familiar with your individual medical needs. 

If the treatment is performed correctly by an experienced clinician using a Q-switched laser at the correct settings you should not have a scar. Additional factors that prevent scarring are spacing your treatments at least 6 weeks apart and following proper after care to allow your skin to heal. As far as full removal, most tattoos can be fully removed however you may experience the phenomenon of ghosting. 

When
performed by a skilled and experienced technician/ treatment provider typically
there shouldn’t be any scarring, but there is a possibility of hypopigmentation
or hyperpigmentation on a darker skin type.

Amateur
tattoos clear faster as compared to professionally done tattoos due to depth
penetration and quality of the ink being used.

Staying
out of the sun directly before and after your treatment sessions will also
prevent any scarring from occurring.

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.

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.
Always make sure to go to a qualified plastic surgeon or dermatologist to perform this procedure. Tattoo and piercing scars are common and easily corrected.

Hello, thank you for your question.  The way a laser rids the skin of unwanted ink is, it shatters the ink into tiny particles and the body absorbs those particles.  The latest technology in laser 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 unwanted ink in about half as many treatments as the traditional Q-switch device. This type of device has far less heat, and it is usually heat that causes the scarring.  Pico technology is a very safe and effective device.Good Luck!