Why Laser Tattoo Removal Can Ruin Your Life : A Doctor Explains

Lasering the wrong type of a tattoo can ruin your life by altering the color of the ink, leaving behind large remnants of tattoo ink, changing your skin tone, and even causing a life-threatening allergy.
Lasers afford great choices for tattoo removal but unfortunately, not all tattoos are appropriate for the laser.
In this video, I discuss not only the basics of laser tattoo removal but discuss 5 cases where laser tattoo removal would not be a good or safe choice.
The first is large white tattoos. Since with reflects all wavelengths of light it reflects the laser as well. Therefore, white ink will either be un-touched, become a dark oxidized pigment or disappear by pure chance after laser contact.
Next yellow and orange inks. These colors absorb a wavelength not offered in any laser but the 532nm KTP for red is closer to the wavelength absorbed by yellow ( 430 nm) and on occasion the KTP will remove yellow and orange but most times it only slightly fades these colors. Thus they remain as a yellow blob almost bruise-like and that will remain forever.
Third, to much red ink. Although we can remove reds with the KTP the red ink has a strong potential to create an allergic reaction. If you laser a large red ink tattoo the allergin load can cause an allergy. This can be as simple as itching and hives or an allergic crisis such as anaphylactic shock. Large red inks should be lasered with extreme caution and an EpiPen be nearby. At times an antihistamine and steroid is needed. Steroids are bad for you, weaken the bone, the immune system, alter the adrenal function and raise blood sugar.
Fourth is many custom colors, lasers prefer basic colors not blends so green mixed with red or yellow to create a custom color makes laser removal difficult and at times impossible,
Finally, large tattoos with multiple colors and ultra high ink load. Aside from requiring multiple lasers large tattoos with ultra high volumes are difficult to completely remove and likely will leave behind large remnants of ink leaving the patient very unhappy.
Dr. Messina a practicing physician since 1986 Board Certified in Anesthesia / Critical Care with training in Internal Medicine. This channel discusses a wide variety of medical topics from Intensive Care, COVID-19, General Medical issues, Aesthetic medicine which includes Botox and Dysport Injections, Dermal Fillers such as Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane , Belotero and others as well as laser rejuvenation. These treatements are a big part of antiaging medicine and restoration.
Dr. Messina added laser tattoo removal to the practice in 2005 and was nicknamed " Dr. Undo Tattoo" from his patients.

The information in these videos is to educate however, Dr. Messina does not intend any of these videos to be used for learning a technique nor as a substitute for an actual evaluation by a physician. We always recommend in-person visitation with the doctor of your choosing for any medical treatment.

Some videos are aimed at the medical community as a source of education however, It is not a substitute for hands-on learning of a technique.
0:00 Introduction
0:30 Basics of Laser Tattoo Removal
2:08 Case #1 White Ink
3:00 Case #2 Yellow Ink
4:10 Case #3 Red Ink Problems
6:18 Case #4 Custom Colors and the problems they cause
7:12 Case #5 Large tattoos with large ink loads
8:04 the fade to cover
#lasertattooremovalcomplications
#lasertattooremoivalfails
#lasertattooremoval

[skidwithaguitar]

Amazing video. This made me think about how us, tattoo artists have a responsibility to talk to the client and make them understand how serious it is to get a tattoo. Sometimes they tell me "if I regret it, I'll just have it removed". Having watched some of your videos over the past couple of days, I'm glad I can inform my clients better now. We should not get every job that comes along. Many tattoo artists argue that this is not our problem, that we're just there to do the tattoo as asked, but I do feel the weight of responsibility in this.

[candicefoy]

I removed a very large thigh tattoo and it was the best thing I ever did! I have a video of the experience if anyone is interested. I had yellow and it is/was difficult to remove. I didn't get any bruising or odd coloring, just very slow to fade. I will say, tattoos and tattoo removal takes a toll on the immune system so it's important to take care of yourself during the process.

[kcgunesq]

I have zero tattoos and yet, i found this video fascinating and loved the presentation.

[iamu]

Everyone with a tattoo should watch every second of this vid

[justinian]

You're in such a great business. You'll never run out of work, and get to help people.

[captaindestruction]

Its amazing to me that tattoo shops don’t first check to see your bodies reactions to certain inks before 👌 a job.

[briannabanks]

What an under-appreciated channel! I loved your little comedic skits!

[Wolfy]

As a certified tattooer of about 12 years I can tell you no artist in their right mind would use an excessive amount of solid white ink in someone. Most of those are lighting filters done using their natural skin tone to make it appear like it’s as light as possible. Also, although red ink is the most highly allergic ink most people will feel it’s effects during the tattoo healing phase. Not everyone has an allergic reaction to red, in most cases it’s pretty rare.

[marysmith]

Ive had large black and coloured tattoos fully removed with no pain at all because I applied a numbing cream containing lidocaine 40-60 minutes before each tattoo removal session. My tattoos are 100% gone and my skin was not damaged at all and this was 3 years ago. As long as you only get a treatment every 6-8 weeks apart and no less then it will be fine. I felt no pain because of the numbing cream.

[jaym]

Great material. Wishing more people would review these guidelines 'before' getting tattoos.

[--ilse--]

I didn't think this video would be of this much quality.
Very good informative video! 👍🏻

[davep]

Sending this to my daughter before she does something that she would regret.
Thanks for letting us know about the various situations.👏💪

[Animal_tatts]

I’ve got lots of really colourful tattoos, which I absolutely love and would never dream of removed, but I still found this fascinating!! Being visibly tattooed I get lots of questions about tattoos from so many people, so I like to be educated on all aspects of the industry

[GunClingingPalin]

You gave out a lot of good info brother.. much appreciated. Thank you.

[freciemagdirila]

I have tattoos and I don’t plan on removing them. I’m here for info. Thank god I’m not allergic to any ink or dyes. M

[marcopineapple]

Came for fact-checking before writing fanfics, this guy is definitely your friend if you’re gonna cover medical complications

[lindseyabbie]

Mimes all black thank god! I just had my 1st session . Mines going pretty well so far

[kevincoates]

Man, all those all back pieces are absolute wonderful pieces of art. I appreciate you talking about them with respect of the skill and artistry. Have you ever removed a tattoo that size and detail before? I only ask because it seems that someone who would get that size and skill level of a piece would have dropped a lot of money and commitment to something that size.

[AnonimitySmith]

Doctor, never in my life have I needed something so badly and not known it until I had received it. Thank you.

[kthwkr]

I work with lasers but nothing to do with medical. This was an excellent addition to my overall knowledge of the science of lasers.