Can laser tattoo removal cause heavy metal poisoning? I am removing a black tattoo with PicoSure.

Question

Today, as I was getting my ink zapped away, my mouth was filled with a strong metallic taste (vaporized ink?). This got me wondering what was in the ink, where in my body the broken up pigment is going (are the particles going to be lodged in my lymph nodes forever-- can I get an MRI?), and whether I am putting myself at risk of exposure to neurotoxic metals by removing my tattoo. If I am concerned about neurotoxicity, should I stop my treatments?

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Laser tattoo removal (LTR) does not release heavy metal ions into the blood or lymphatic circulation. It works by breaking large mostly-inert mineral salt crystals into much smaller ones. If there is any challenge to the body from LTR, it is probably far less significant than the challenge of getting the tattoo placed originally. To put it in perspective, eating a can of tuna is a much larger heavy-metal exposure than tattooing or tattoo removal. Best of luck!

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

You are not poisoning yourself by getting your tattoo removed with the Picosure laser. Nor does it prevent you from getting MRI's.david berman md

Can laser tattoo removal cause heavy metal poisoning? I am removing a black tattoo with PicoSure.

Answers (2)