As it stands right now, lasers are the routine method when it comes to tattoo removal. Lasers are used with a machine that looks like this one to remove tattoos and many other kinds of skin blemishes. The key to effective tattoo removal with this machine is that surgeons ensure the skin does not reach a temperature above 70 degrees Celsius, otherwise damage, including scarring will occur.
In order to prevent this, the skin is initially sprayed with a cold liquid known as tetrafluorethane that will reduce the skin to a temperature of 3 degrees Celsius. Precooling can increase how fast the skin heats up to enable the surgeon to proceed at a quicker rate.
As it stands now, tetrafluorethane is the liquid surgeons are choosing because it does not promote damage to the ozone layer, but recent studies indicate that the chemical of choice is in itself a greenhouse gas that is much more potent than Carbon Dioxide.
Medical Director of the Beckman Laser Institute at the University of California, John Nelson claims that tattoo removal surgeons can promote more eco-friendly policies by switching from tetrafluorethane to a carbon dioxide spray. This spray accomplishes the job just as efficiently, and simultaneously reduces the environmental impact.
John suggests that the liquid carbon dioxide is stored under pressure and is then sprayed onto the skin during the laser treatment. This will produce a fine mist of solid particles of dry ice that will cool the skin before it is transformed into a gas.
Due to the ever increasing need for more eco-friendly products in our world, laser tattoo removal will change with the use of more eco-friendly sprays and chemicals.