Tattoos are a great way to express yourself and show people your personality. But sometimes, even the most well-intentioned tattoo can become something you wish you never got.
Laser treatment is an effective way to remove tattoo ink, but we often get asked – does laser tattoo removal work on all skin tones? The truth is that not every laser tattoo removal device is great for all skin types. So, as you do your research, it is important to look at the laser device and the laser clinic’s expertise.
At Zapp Laser Studio, we use the PicoSure and PicoWay laser tattoo removal treatments. Both of these are the most advanced laser tattoo removal methods on the market. They both target and treat all tattoo ink colours on the spectrum, but each of them works for different skin types.
That is why we are here to break down how the laser tattoo removal process works and which laser treatment device works best to fully remove tattoos from light skin and dark skin.
If you want to chat in person about laser tattoo removal, book your initial consultation at one of our clinics.
How does laser tattoo removal work?
Laser tattoo removal works by sending ultra-short pulses of laser light energy into the skin to help break down and shatter tattoo ink particles. Once the laser has broken the ink particles into smaller pieces, the body then eliminates them naturally through your immune system.
This process does not happen overnight. The removal occurs over time and will depend on factors such as how your body responds to the laser and how quickly it flushes out the ink.
How effective laser treatment is to remove a tattoo also depends on you using the right device. It is important to consider – does the device treat your skin colour, tattoo ink colour and type of tattoo?
Not all laser tattoo removal devices treat all ink colours. For example, lighter colours such as yellow and green can be more challenging to remove. Equally, darker skin tones can be more difficult to treat without damaging the skin pigment.
Let’s discuss both the PicoSure laser treatment and the PicoWay laser treatment, so you can find out which one is right for you.
PicoSure Laser Tattoo Removal
PicoSure tattoo removal is one of the most safe and effective ways to remove unwanted tattoo ink. It uses ultra-short pulses of laser light energy to precisely target tattoo ink pigment and break it down. What’s more, it does this without causing any damage to the healthy surrounding skin.
The advantages of PicoSure laser removal:
- Uses two different wavelengths to target and treat all colours on the spectrum
- Faster tattoo removal sessions – small tattoos only take a few seconds
- Reduced risk of skin damage and scarring
- Proven results on even the most challenging tattoos
- Can also treat other skin concerns such as pigment issues, scars and large pores
Does it work on all skin types?
PicoSure does work on most skin types. However, it is most effective on light skin tones (skin types 1-4).
When you come for a consultation at our studio, we will assess your skin type, skin colour and tattoo to ensure you are suitable for treatment. This appointment will also include a patch test.
PicoWay laser tattoo removal
PicoWay is another advanced laser device that also uses picosecond technology. By doing this, it can target tattoo ink in the different layers of the skin.
It does not rely on heat like some lasers. Like PicoSure, it uses short bursts of laser light energy at high speeds to help shatter tattoo ink into smaller pieces. This ensures that your body can process them through your immune system.
Please note that PicoWay is only currently available at our London Studio.
The advantages of PicoWay laser removal:
- Treats green and blue ink with 730nm and 785nm handpiece.
- Removes red, orange and yellow ink, unlike most other lasers. This is because PicoWay uses a more effective 532nm wavelength.
- Laser only targets the ink and does not harm any skin that surrounds the tattoo
- Works on simple and more complex tattoo designs
Does it work on different skin tones?
The short answer to this is, yes it does. Not only does it target all colours on the spectrum, but by using a 1064 wavelength it is safe to treat all skin colours, including darker skin tones. This is because the wavelength ignores the melanin in the skin and only focuses on the ink.
Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work for All Skin Tones?
The good news is that we can treat all skin tones at Zapp Laser Studio. However, the choice of device and treatment is crucial in ensuring that you see great results without any damage to your skin.
To break it down further:
- Light skin tones (1-3) – we can treat your skin using both PicoSure and PicoWay lasers.
- Medium to dark skin tones (4-6) – we will use the PicoWay device as it reduces the risk of pigmentation changes and is safe for darker skin.
- Dark brown skin – because these individuals have more melanin in their skin, we have to take extra precautions to ensure there is no risk of hypopigmentation. For this skin type, we will use PicoWay as the right settings to successfully remove tattoos.
Book your tattoo removal consultation
If this blog has you ready to find out more about how laser tattoo removal can help you get rid of your unwanted tattoo, your first step is to get in touch with our team.
They will help you book an initial consultation where we can assess your tattoo, skin condition and skin type. We will also do a patch test to ensure you are suitable for tattoo removal treatment.