If you want to get a tattoo removed, you’re bound to have a number of questions. What are the side effects? Does it hurt? How long will it take? These are some of the most common questions we receive and are all answered on our FAQ page.
The question whether laser tattoo removal causes skin cancers warrants its own blog post, as such a serious subject requires a fair amount of attention. The short answer is no and no evidence exists to suggest otherwise. What’s more, the lasers used for tattoo removal do not emit UV rays (Ultraviolet radiation), which can increase the risk of skin cancer. Even so, it is a good idea to explore this topic in more details.
Official approval by health organizations
Health organizations and medical professionals appear to be united in their opinion that laser tattoo removal does not cause skin cancer or even increases the risk.
In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates laser tattoo machines, which mean they have to undergo several testing in order to meet strict regulations. FDA dermatologist Markham Luke has said laser treatment has received FDA clearance, indicating that this method for removing tattoos “complies with agency requirements for safety and effectiveness.”
Interestingly enough, tattoo ink is not regulated by the FDA, which means manufacturers do not need to disclose the chemicals contained within. Therefore, you could well be more susceptible to health problems while getting a tattoo as opposed to the removal procedure.
Professional opinion
Questions about laser tattoo removal and skin cancer have also been raised several times on interactive health website HealthTap, which provides anybody with access to help and advice from doctors about various medical issues. The top response, from Dr. Steven Zimmet MD, reads:
“There are a variety of lasers in use today, used to remove tattoo ink and to treat brown spots, spider veins, wrinkles, and skin tightening. Some lasers are used to treat pre-cancerous lesions. These lasers do not increase the chance of cancer.”
Other answers go on to add that there is no data linking the two and no reason why skin cancer might occur. However, medical professionals do feel the need to highlight some of the other risks involved with laser tattoo removal.
How does laser tattoo removal work and what are possible risks?
To remove a tattoo using this technique, a laser or intense light is pointed at the skin, which aims to break up the ink particles beneath. Your body’s immune system will also kick into gear after the process and aid the removal process too. But due to the nature of laser tattoo removal, some risks include:
- Swelling
- Blistering
- Scabbing
- Itching
- Scarring
- Hyper-pigmentation/Hypo-pigmentation
- Infection
Even though this might sound like a long list of side effects, most of the aforementioned issues are uncommon with the majority patients. If you do happen to suffer from any of the above, nearly all issues are treatable and not that uncomfortable. However, it is highly recommended to follow the guidance and advice of your laser technician, as this will improve the treatment’s effectiveness and lower the risk of any side effects.
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