Tattoo Removal: Is 100% Complete Eradication Possible?
Hello, I'm a board-certified dermatologist. Today, I'd like to discuss tattoo removal, a topic many people are curious about. Let's explore whether it's truly possible to remove a tattoo 100% completely, and in which cases removal can be challenging.
Can Tattoos Be Removed 100% Cleanly?
Generally, tattoo research considers about 70% removal as the benchmark. It is not impossible to remove a tattoo cleanly, and some patients may achieve 100% clean removal. However, 100% removal is not possible in all cases, especially when tattoos are caused by external factors, they may not be 100% erased.
Reasons Why Tattoos Are Not Completely Erased
The reason why tattoo ink is not completely removed is related to our body's phagocytes. When tattoo ink is broken down into tiny fragments by a laser, the phagocytes in the skin try to move these ink particles.
- Phagocytes engulf ink fragments and attempt to move them elsewhere.
- However, some phagocytes are known not to move from their location.
Recent research has revealed the following facts in studies of people whose tattoos were not cleanly removed:
Even if these phagocytes complete their life cycle and die in that location, new phagocytes beneath them re-engulf the tattoo particles and remain in that area, which is why tattoos are not completely erased.
Ultimately, new phagocytes can continuously hold the ink in the same area, which may prevent the tattoo from completely disappearing.
Special Caution is Needed for Keloid Skin During Tattoo Removal
Keloid skin is a skin type where scars form much more easily than in other people. Those with this skin type need special caution when removing tattoos. If a person with keloid skin has a tattoo and undergoes laser treatment, there is a higher possibility of developing larger scars than others.
How to Deal with Keloid Skin?
If there is a possibility of scarring, it is advisable to receive appropriate treatment in the early stages or to seek treatment at a keloid specialized hospital.
When is Tattoo Removal Most Effective?
Tattoo removal is known to be most effective when treated before the skin heals. If you are not satisfied with your tattoo after the procedure, it is best to remove it as soon as possible.
After a tattoo is done, a wound forms. If laser treatment is performed through this wound, the tattoo ink can be expelled more quickly. Therefore, receiving the procedure as soon as possible is a way to enhance the effectiveness of tattoo removal.
I hope this video has answered your questions about tattoo removal. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. Thank you.