Tattoo Removal

The History of Tattoo Removal

Published: 05.18.2015

Updated: 03.11.2026

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Eric Korsh, Spine & Orthopedic Surgeon

Modern-day tattoo removal is drastically different from some of the earlier methods, with many technological advancements happening within the last 10 years. Abrasive and painful removal techniques there were once the only option available, were soon replaced by the laser removal technology that most are familiar with today. Now, laser tattoo removal is the best method for removing a tattoo due to its safety and efficiency compared.

The History of Tattoos

Tattoos have been around for over 5 thousand years, making their history and evolution in society incredibly plentiful. The Greeks and Romans utilized tattoos to mark slaves, criminals, and military personnel for easier identification. They were mainly viewed as a punishment in their society, but tattoos were recognized for their practical nature. Some African cultures used scarification, a body modification process like tattooing to indicate social rank, political status, or religious authority. Today, tattoos are unignorable with more than half of the United States having at least one tattoo. Body ink is seen as a form of self-expression more than anything else—a foreign concept to how tattoos were portrayed for most of their existence.

Early Tattoo Removal Methods

Back in the day, tattoo removal methods were extremely invasive and painful. The most common method involved using abrasive substances to scrape the top layers of skin to remove the tattoo ink. Other methods included inflating a balloon under the skin to stretch it, then cutting the tattoo off the body—or cryogenically freezing the tattoo and removing it through a microdermabrasion. In 1967, Dr. Leon Goldman, M.D., laid the foundation for the laser tattoo removal technology that we know now. Utilizing a 694 Ruby laser and an Nd:YAG laser, he removed a tattoo for the first time without any abrasive or extreme measures. Then, the 1980s brought upon a new type of laser for tattoo removal: the CO2 laser. This became the top choice for laser specialists around that time, but it did have some complications. Because the technology was still in its infancy, permanent scarring and pigmentation issues were common amongst patients. The laser treatments were also extremely painful and required general anesthesia to undergo the process. Safer laser tattoo removal began flourishing in the early 90s, thanks to Dr. Rox Anderson, M.D. and John A. Parrish, M.D. These newer procedures were able to happen with minimal side effects through the development of short-pulsed width lasers and selective photothermolysis, the technique of using a specific wavelength of light to target a certain area of the body.

Today’s Tattoo Removal Technology

Now, the world of removal is ruled by one method: laser tattoo removal. Laser treatments have become refined over the last 10 years through the introduction of new protocols, training, and technology. Developments in selective photothermolysis have given most lasers the capacity to remove tattoo ink from the skin without causing permanent damage, such as hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and scarring. Therefore, laser tattoo removal is the safest and most effective way to remove a tattoo.

Removal providers like Removery are constantly evolving their treatments based on the latest science, making laser removal even more efficient for clients. Their proprietary T2 Method makes the Candela PicoWay laser better at removing the full color spectrum of tattoo ink. This includes more stubborn colors, like greens and blues.

Start Your Tattoo Removal Journey with the Experts

Even with massive technological advancements, getting a tattoo removed requires an expert to ensure it’s done right every step of the process. Removery is the world’s leading tattoo removal provider, with over 165 locations and 2 million successful treatments completed. We can remove the “impossible,” and make it happen safer and more efficiently than all the others. Book a free consultation to get started today.

Dr. Eric Korsh Spine & Orthopedic Surgeon

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