Page 106 - An Introduction to Laser Tattoo Removal

Chapter 2 – Fundamentals of Laser Tattoo Removal v1.0
Figure 55: The various repair processes start at different times depending on what has been completed.
These processes are complex and their timings are complicated. A good explanation can be found here – Tissue Healing. The four main processes are:
Inflammation
This stage is rapid and minimises blood loss and the risk of infection spreading through the body, from an open wound. Initial vasoconstriction is followed quickly by vasodilation to allow ‘repair’ cells to be brought quickly to the area.
Homoeostasis
In this phase, macrophages and neutrophils invade the wound, removing debris, dead cells and destroying bacteria. It is likely that some tattoo particles/aggregates are removed towards the end of this phase – 7 to 14 days after the treatment.
During this phase the epidermis is repaired quickly to
Proliferative
minimise further exposure to the environment. At the same time, myo-fibroblasts contract the size of the wound area. In addition, new blood vessels grow to allow many more cells to infiltrate into the wound. At this stage fibroblasts also swarm into the region. This phase can last weeks to months.
Epidermal repair is completed in this phase, followed by a strengthening of the collagen matrix of the dermis. This stage can last up to two years after the initial treatment, and the structural strength of the dermis never returns to its pre- wound state!
Remodelling
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Chapter 2 LEVEL A Laser Tattoo Removal
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