Can Laser Tattoo Removal be done on all Skin Fitzpatrick Types?

The Interplay of Ink Colour and Skin Type in Tattoo Removal

When considering tattoo removal, the interaction between ink colour and skin shade emerges as a critical factor influencing the outcome. Not all colours respond equally across different skin phototypes, making some colours particularly challenging to remove from specific skin tones. This section delves into how the skin’s Fitzpatrick type affects the difficulty of eliminating certain ink colours.

Skin Types I-II: Light to Fair Complexions

For individuals with light to fair skin (Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-II), the contrast between the ink and the skin’s natural colour enhances the laser’s ability to target and break down the ink particles.

  • Most Challenging Colours: Lighter and fluorescent colours, such as pale blues, greens, and purples, can be more challenging to remove due to their reflective properties and lesser absorption of laser wavelengths. These pigments contain a lot of titanium dioxide.

Skin Types III-IV: Medium Complexions

Medium skin shades (Fitzpatrick Skin Types III-IV) absorb laser energy differently due to the higher melanin content, which can increase the risk of pigmentation changes post-treatment.

  • Most Challenging Colours: Bright colours like reds, oranges, and certain shades of blue and green present challenges due to the closer absorption spectrum to the skin’s natural melanin (there isn’t as vast a contrast between the ink and skin).

Skin Types V-VI: Darker Complexions

Darker skin shades (Fitzpatrick Skin Types V-VI) pose the most significant challenge for tattoo removal due to the high melanin content, which competes with the tattoo ink for laser energy, increasing the risk of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.

  • Most Challenging Colours: Darker inks like blacks and dark blues can be difficult to remove without affecting the skin’s natural pigment.

Generally, there are three factors that we should be aware of as potential side effects of tattoo removal, especially with darker skin, as the risks are slightly higher.

  • Hyperpigmentation, where the skin will darken over time.
  • Hypopigmentation, where the skin will lighten over the tattoo removal area.
  • Keloid scars, while very rare, are raised scar tissue that develops around the treated area. Thermal damage can trigger an inflammatory response, leading to an overproduction of collagen, the main protein in scar tissue. Darker skin types boast higher levels of collagen.

Skin colour does not have any bearing on pain levels.

Darker skin tones contain pigment similar to that of tattoo ink. Therefore, more sessions might be required to effectively remove a tattoo, especially those that are darker.

You will need to check if you are covered to treat all Fitzpatrick types with your insurance company.

UV Exposure

One of the most important factors when preparing a client for their procedure is to ensure that they do not have an active tan. They must confirm that they have not been exposed to UV (Sun/Sun Beds) for 30 days. The production of melanin in the skin can cause scarring when exposed to the laser. The client must also confirm that they are not going to be exposed to UV for 30 days after their procedure.