What is the best tattoo removal method for an African American woman?

Question

I am a 30 year old African American woman looking for a safe yet successful way of removing a lower back tattoo. My question to you is, what would be the best laser method for me to consider if I were to do laser? Also, because the tattoo is so large, will excising and grafting a good option?

Adaeze Okeke, MD · Answer

It is absolutely safe to have a tattoo removed. The best option is with a Q-switched Nd:Yag laser. Make sure that your provider uses this and not any other type of laser. The Alex-Tri-Vantage will not work. Another important consideration is to that you choose someone who has experience with different skin types. Ask for before and after pictures of successful tattoo removal. Make sure they include proper aftercare instructions and space your treatments at least 6 weeks apart.

William Ting, MD · Answer

Tattoo removal is best done with Q-switched Nd:Yag laser, can be safely done in ethnic skin, though multiple treatment sessions may be required. Any surgical procedure including laser surgery has potential risks of secondary infection or hypertrophic scarring. I would start with Q-switched Nd:Yag laser with conservative energy as there may be risks of pigmentation changes.

Scott Trimas, MD · Answer

Tattoo removal on African American skin can be difficult since the biggest risk of treatment is hypopigmentation. That being said we have had good success in removing the tattoos on our African American patients using the q-switched laser. However, a larger number of treatments are required since the power settings have to be lower to minimize lightening of the surrounding skin. If a lighter skin color in the area of the tattoo to be removed is not a big concern, than you can proceed with laser removal. However, it could be significantly lighter in color than the remaining normal skin. Also, I would not recommend excision and grafting since you are guaranteed to have unsightly scarring and worsening pigmentation problems. If the tattoo is not to bothersome, the best treatment may be to leave it alone.

Michael Law, MD · Answer

The PicoWay Laser is safe and effective for all skin types. The laser energy will bypass the surface of the skin on work on the tattoo below the surface of the skin. Picoway laser can work on all colors including green.The Picoway is equipped with DCD Dynamic Cooling device tto make the treatment for comfortable. We have found that our patients still found tattoo removal very uncomfortable without additional options. We now offer full numbing and anti-anxiety treatments with nitrous oxide to be sure each patient feel comfortable during the procedure

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

You would be a great candidate for the Alex Trivantage laser. This laser is the only one on the market that can target colors. The multiple wave lengths can target all the colors in the tattoo with 4-6 sessions. You should contact a board certified dermatologist as soon as possible.

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Cameron Rokhsar, MD, FAAD · Answer

Tattoo removal is absolutely safe and feasible for darker skin. If you find a physician who is experienced using a pigment laser on darker skin tones for tattoo removal, you shouldn't have any problem. Your doctor will customize the laser settings for your particular skin tone and tattoo, and depending on the depth of ink placement, how old it is, and the color, you should be able to get full clearance of the tattoo (or close) in a series of sessions. See my video below, as it fits your situation. Best of luck!

What is the best tattoo removal method for an African American woman?

Answers (6)

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