Overview of How Does Tattoo Removal Work and Its Industry Growth
While creating a tattoo, ink is injected into the inner layer of the skin or dermis. The dermis is relatively stable, while the epidermis (the outer layers of skin) constantly sheds cells and replenishes them with new ones. When the ink is injected, the immune system perceives it as foreign material and attempts to eliminate it. However, the majority of the ink granules are too large to be absorbed by immune cells, so they remain undisturbed. Tattoos fade over time as the ink granules degrade, yet they are intended to be permanent.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate tattoo inks because they are considered cosmetics and frequently have dangerous chemicals like heavy metals. With the increasing popularity of tattoos, a greater choice of ink colors, including red, orange, yellow, light blue, and fluorescent options, have also been available.
These new colors have the potential to behave erratically over time and in response to laser treatment. Some inks contain titanium oxides or zinc, which turn black or grey when exposed to laser light, According to Seminars in Plastic Surgery. These tattoos can often be erased, but it takes several treatments. On the other hand, tattoos done with traditional Indian ink are considerably easier to remove with lasers. According to Stat Pearls, brown and green tattoo inks also respond well to laser treatment.
Growth of the tattoo removal market
Tattoo removal is a treatment used to get rid of an unsightly tattoo. Tattoo removal treatments commonly utilized include laser surgery, surgical removal, and dermabrasion. As a result, tattoo removal is more difficult and costly than tattoo application. Factors influencing the growth rate of the tattoo removal market are the increasing rate of tattoo regret, strict corporate policies, and growing knowledge about laser treatment. According to Strategic Market Research, the worldwide tattoo removal market value was worth $4.34 billion in 2021, and by 2030 it will reach $12.15 billion at a CAGR of 12.1%.
How can lasers remove a tattoo?
Lasers, which were invented in 1960, are devices that release concentrated light at a certain wavelength. For instance, red light with a wavelength of 695 nanometers is produced by ruby lasers. Tattoo inks can heat up and break into bits immune cells can eliminate when they absorb laser radiation. The key is to avoid causing excessive damage to the surrounding tissue.
Red materials absorb other colors of light and reflect red light, white materials reflect all colors of light, and black materials absorb all colors of light. In order to heat and remove black tattoo ink from a light-colored background, a ruby laser can be used; however, red tattoo ink cannot be removed with a ruby laser. Because the skin’s natural pigment (melanin) can absorb laser light, removing tattoos with lasers is more difficult for persons with darker skin. Highly pigmented skin can absorb the laser energy and be harmed, leaving less laser energy to remove the tattoo ink.
More than Just tattoos
A revolutionary article published in Science in 1983 described how to employ laser technology to eliminate specific biomedical targets without damaging surrounding tissue. This “photothermolysis” technique enabled scientists to target tattoo pigments at precise wavelengths.
Now different lasers, such as Q-switched lasers at 532 nm and 1064 nm, are utilized to remove blue and black pigment in darker skin types because these wavelengths are not effectively absorbed by melanin. In lighter skin types, the 532-nm laser is also efficient against red, orange, yellow, and brown pigments. In lighter skin types, 694 nm and 755 nm lasers are utilized to remove black, blue, and green pigments.
Spider veins, moles, birthmarks, sun spots, freckles, and tattoos are all treated using the same photothermolysis concept.
Limitations of laser removal
Although laser tattoo removal is still developing, good results are still not ensured. Multicolored tattoos can still be difficult, especially for people with darker skin tones. Only the top layer of pigment is affected by lasers, and the immune system needs six to eight weeks to remove the broken-down ink particles before the subsequent treatment session. Many people need six to ten sessions, and others even require 20 or more. As a result, the process of laser tattoo removal may take longer than a year.
Surgery is another option for tattoo removal, though it frequently results in a noticeable scar for all but the smallest tattoos. However, for people who have experienced an allergic reaction to a tattoo or whose tattoo contains an area that was directly damaged by explosives or fireworks, surgery is frequently the best choice.
