Dermatologists often see recently tattooed patients with local allergic reactions that can last for years. Amateur tattoos usually consist of a single pigment color. Professional tattoos are more elaborate designs using multiple pigment colors. Several types of lasers can effectively remove tattoos with a very low risk of scarring. The type of laser used to remove the tattoo depends upon the pigment colors.
Lasers remove tattoos by vaporizing the pigment colors with a high-intensity light beam.
Black tattoo pigment absorbs all laser wavelengths, making it the easiest to treat. Other colors, such as green, selectively absorb laser light. These colors can only be treated by selected lasers based upon the pigment color. Laser removal is a big advance in the procedure, but it is not perfect. There is also a 5 percent chance that the laser treatment will result in a permanent scar.