When you get a tattoo removed, the laser shatters the large ink particles into tiny fragments, which your immune system's white blood cells then engulf and carry away through the lymphatic system, eventually being processed by the liver and kidneys and flushed out of the body via sweat, urine, or fecal matter over time.
After the laser-removal process, which Doft notes, typically works best on darker, older tattoos, the ink is recognized as waste within the lymphatic system and discarded via either sweat, urine, or fecal matter.
Tattoo removal is a procedure to remove this permanent ink from your body. Normally, your immune system works to remove foreign particles from your body, but ink particles are too big for your immune system to remove, which is why they're permanent.
Where does the ink go after laser tattoo removal? The body's immune system removes the ink particles through the lymphatic system. The liver then processes the broken-down ink particles, which are then excreted through urine.
Yes, a tattoo can often be 100% removed, but it's not guaranteed and depends heavily on factors like ink color (black is easiest, yellow/white hardest), tattoo depth, skin type, immune system strength, and aftercare. While many people achieve complete clearance, some might be left with faint "whisps" or ghosting, though significant fading to near invisibility is common, even if 100% clearance isn't reached.
Possible Side Effects: Potential side effects include redness, swelling, blistering, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and scarring. Incomplete Removal: Some tattoos, especially colorful ones or those in specific body areas, may require additional treatment for complete removal.
The ink does not ever really leave the body, though possibly a portion is excreted via the liver.
Research on tattoos older than 40 years shows that ink particles remain in the deep dermis and local lymph nodes. According to the WHO data from animal experiments, black and red tattoo ink particles reach the liver, and titanium dioxide (white pigment) reaches the liver, spleen, and lung (4).
Once broken down, the ink particles enter the lymphatic system and are processed similarly to other waste products. The body filters these particles through the liver and kidneys. While you don't literally “pee out” the ink, the kidneys filter waste, eventually exiting the body through urine.
Typically, you will start to see tattoo fading around sessions 3-5 which is optimal for people who are seeking removal for a cover up, but it will likely take 10-12 sessions to see complete removal results.
How Painful Is Tattoo Removal? Tattoo removal does hurt a bit, but Removery's clients often say it feels no more painful than getting slapped by a rubber band. The pain experienced during laser tattoo removal is very minor. Laser tattoo removal is the most effective process available.
Yes, it's tempting to use Vaseline, but it can cause irregular scabbing because it is too occlusive of a barrier. This can cause ink pulling, leaving a patchy tattoo in its wake. There are better ways to care for your tattoo area without petrolatum and other undesirable substances.
Some of those ink particles will be engulfed by white blood cells dispatched by your immune system. Those are then carried away by the lymphatic system, filtered and broken down through the liver and kidneys. Eventually, you'll pee out the waste remnants, while some ink particles are also released as your skin heals.
Tattoos. Some tattoo ink contains traces of metal, but most tattoos are safe in an MRI scanner. Tell the radiographer immediately if you feel any discomfort or heat in your tattoo during the scan.
After tattoo removal treatment, avoid: sun exposure for at least 4-6 weeks; submerging the area in water (pools, baths, hot tubs) for 2 weeks; picking or scratching blisters and scabs; applying makeup or cosmetics to the treated area; using harsh skincare products containing alcohol, fragrances or exfoliants; consuming ...
Tattoo removal is not a liver-stressing event—it's a controlled, low-impact detox process. However, if someone already has existing liver disease, reduced immune function, or other health challenges, they may need to take precautions (see When to Be Cautious).
5 Tips for Speeding Up Your Tattoo Removal
A recent review found that the number of skin cancers in tattooed skin was low, and therefore seems coincidental, however a number of carcinogens that have been found in tattoo inks have been associated with cancers elsewhere in the body, such as the liver or bladder.
Yes, you can donate blood if you have tattoos
The same rules also apply to ear and body piercings.
✅ Tattoo ink does not enter the bloodstream in a harmful way but settles in the dermis layer of the skin.
Open in Viewer Tattoo ink is transported by the lymphatic system and accumulates in the draining lymph node.
With the help of some other cells, macrophages form a wall of themselves to imprison the larger ink molecules. We've capitalized on our skin macrophages' unending loyalty to the dermis to get life-long works of body art. But though our tattoos last forever, over time they start to lose their pop.
While tattoo ink doesn't contain any addictive substances, the process of getting tattooed releases adrenaline and endorphins into your bloodstream which can give you a sense of euphoria- kind of like a runner's high but you get a sweet, permanent badge of honour afterwards.