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.
No, the body doesn't eject the pigments from the bladder. It exits through solid waste.
When you get a tattoo, you can pretty much expect that it'll be with you forever. But, if for whatever reason you change your mind, there are removal options. Unfortunately, even after removal, the ink doesn't just disappear — we actually excrete it through our lymphatic system.
I talked with the doc at the dermo place I go to for laser removal. Tattoo ink is shattered into micro fragments by the laser. The smallest of the fragments will be carried away through our urine, poop and sweat. The body will respond like it naturally would to any free radical that needs to be expelled.
Answer: Tattoo removal in kidney transplant The ink is not excreted through the kidneys so the procedure is safe for kidney transplant patients. Your healing time will be impaired due to the immunosuppressive drugs and the clearance might not be as good as someone not on these drugs.
The study also identified 2-phenoxyethanol, another ingredient in some inks, as potentially hazardous. Exposure to high doses of this chemical can irritate the skin, lungs, and liver, and may even cause damage to the kidneys and nerves.
Risks. Scarring is likely after most types of tattoo removal. Infection or skin discoloration is possible as well.
“Ghosting” can sometimes occur after tattoo removal, where your skin retains a pale white shadow of the original image – as such, speaking to a practitioner beforehand is important, as this can be more noticeable on darker skin tones.
Presumably, ink particles are moved into the deeper dermis over time due to the action of mobile phagocytic cells (think immune cells), causing the tattoo to look bluish, faded and blurry. Examination of older tattoos (e.g. 40 years) show that the ink is in the deep dermis, and also found in local lymph nodes.
Stay Hydrated. The best tip people always give for healthy and glowing skin is to drink a lot of water and stay hydrated. This tip also works for tattoo removal aftercare. Laser tattoo removal fragments the ink, which is then filtered out by your body's lymphatic system; this also triggers the immune system.
Laser tattoo removal can leave behind skin that is lighter than the skin around it. Other risks include possible scarring, infection, pinpoint bleeding, redness, or soreness, none of which should last for long.
The ink that isn't taken away by the white blood cells (macrophages), then remains in the dermis within trapped white blood cells and becomes absorbed by skin cells known as fibroblasts. The dye in the ink of the cells is what shows through and what keeps it settled in and permanent.
The ink that breaks down is processed through the liver, so it is important to discuss liver problems with your doctor before proceeding. Keep in mind that a healthy liver will have minimal to no issues, but a liver that is already struggling could end up with adverse effects.
Lasers can heat pigment-containing cells quickly through short pulses to rupture them and send the fragments into the body for drainage. Where does all that ink go? Some of the tattoo pigment gets washed away by the body's natural lymphatic system and some is released through the healing skin surface post-treatment.
Smoking slows down the healing process and impacts the immune system. This increases the number of removal sessions you have to undergo. Smoking also leads to poor blood circulation, which impacts oxygen and nutrients delivery to the treated area. As a result, the tattoo fades slowly.
A common, normal occurrence with fresh tattoos is known as “weeping”. This is when some ink or plasma (fluid) may come out of the tattoo and form a thin, moist coating on the skin. (Note: This typically can last anywhere from 24 hours to about a week or so.
As long as it has not been contaminated, remains properly sealed, and is properly stored, tattoo ink has about a two-year shelf life.
After lasers break up the ink, your body's immune system disperses it into your bloodstream, where it travels to your kidneys. Ink is then released through your urine and sweat. It doesn't change the color of your pee, but you shouldn't have too many tattoos removed at the same time either.
“Just as prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause paints to degrade, so can laser removal of tattoos cause pigment molecules to break apart into smaller, potentially toxic compounds. “We have identified chemicals that are known to damage DNA, affect fertility and even cause cancer.”
Many people start to see their ink fade after three appointments. Given six to eight weeks between each session, you can expect the results to start showing a few months after the process starts.
The laser shatters the tattoo ink particles, and as the body's immune system works to flush out these fragmented pigments, it can result in nausea, dizziness, or other flu-like symptoms. Managing pain through prescribed painkillers or over-the-counter medications can help alleviate some of these symptoms.
Tattoos are an expression of a person's passion or beliefs. So, why do people get tattoos removed? Over time, people may decide that the tattoo is no longer suitable for their lifestyle, or it no longer holds the same meaning it once did.
The desired endpoint of QS laser treatment (Nd:YAG, alexandrite, and ruby) is immediate tissue whitening, although this may not occur if the tattoo has faded significantly. Such whitening can last approximately 20 minutes, and is a result of rapid heating of the chromophore leading to gas formation.