TATTOOS: THE DANGERS
Q AI want to get rid of a small grey ink tattoo on my upper arm but I am confused about the best laser removal and where to go. About 36 per cent of Irish adults under the age of 40 have at least one tattoo. As the number of people getting them increases, so too does the number who want them removed. But removal can be a long and disappointing process, according to consultant dermatologist Dr Nick Lowe (drnicklowe.com).
‘Depending on how deep the tattoo is and how old [they fade with age], it may take three to 12 sessions of laser therapy, with six weeks between each session,’ he says.
Lasers work by releasing powerful beams of light that heat the ink and shatter it into tiny particles, which are absorbed by the body and eventually excreted. Dr Lowe recommends a Q-switched alexandrite laser, which he finds more efficient than the newer pico lasers.
Tattoos are seldom completely erased. ‘Although you can remove or reduce the colour, you are often left with a ghost-like shape because the heat affects the surface of the skin, making it lighter,’ he says.
However, darker shades of ink, including grey, are relatively straightforward to treat in fair-skinned patients. Yellow and red inks present more complex problems.
Blistering caused by the heat of the laser is a common side effect. It can be severe, but a new technique developed in the US, in which the laser is fired through a thin plastic membrane covering the site, is helping to reduce the problem. The upper body is less likely to blister. ‘Arms and legs heal more slowly, possibly due to poorer blood supply,’ says Dr Lowe.
Other possible side effects are scarring, hair removal, small breaks in the skin and sensitivity. Because lasers cause a reaction in deeper levels of skin, they can also destroy melanin – the pigment that colours skin, hair and eyes. So laser treatment may cause a loss of pigmentation in black, Asian and sometimes white skin tones.
Before and during lasering, protect your skin from sun exposure with SPF 50, as tanned skin (even self tan) will compete with ink for the laser effect.
Finding a qualified laser operator is essential, but dermatologist Dr Vishal Madan says, ‘At present there are no restrictions by law on who can perform treatments and no specific qualification requirements.’
Dr Lowe advises choosing physicianor dermatologist-led clinics. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) warns that tattoo inks have never been properly tested and may cause complications, including allergic reactions and painful itching. ‘Tattoo inks and permanent make-up may contain substances that cause cancer, genetic mutations and have toxic effects on reproduction,’ it says. Other potential problems include sun sensitivity, antibiotic-resistant infections and blood-borne conditions including hepatitis B and C and HIV. Tattooists in Ireland are not obliged to wear gloves and are allowed to reuse needles.