Laser Tattoo-Removal is a procedure that utilizes high-powered lasers that penetrate deep into the skin and are able to permanently demolish the ink particles within the cells that give the color to the tattoo.
Laser Tattoo Removal is the safest and most effective method for getting rid of that old ink. It only utilizes lasers, it is relatively non-invasive and targets only the ink of your unwanted tattoo and leaves the surrounding skin unaffected.
The Laser Tattoo Removal process
Lasers remove tattoos by breaking up the pigment colors with a high-intensity light beam. Black tattoo pigment absorbs all laser wavelengths, making it the easiest color to treat. Other colors can only be treated by selected lasers based upon the pigment color.
Number of Treatments
The number of laser tattoo removal treatments you will need will depend on the age, size, and color(s) of your tattoo. The color of your skin, as well as how deep the tattoo pigment goes, will also affect the removal.
Most people will require a series of short laser tattoo removal sessions 1-2 months apart to remove the tattoo, although the exact number of sessions cannot be predicted in advance. Usually 5-10 sessions are required, although up to 20 may be required in some cases.
Smaller tattoos will require fewer pulses while larger ones will need more to remove them. In either case, to completely get rid of a tattoo, it will take several laser tattoo removal treatments. After each visit, your tattoo should become progressively lighter.
How it feels
You will definitely experience irritation during laser tattoo removal. But most patients don’t need anesthesia. Depending on the location of your tattoo, we may apply a topical anesthesia cream beforehand.
After-care
Immediately following the laser tattoo removal treatment, use an ice pack to soothe the treated area. And apply an antibiotic cream or ointment and bandage to protect it. You should also be sure it’s covered with sunblock when you’re outside.
Possible side-effects
Hypopigmentation – Some people may also notice changes in the texture or color of their skin following a laser tattoo removal treatment.
Skin Infections – Following laser tattoo removal, the skin can get infected particularly when an area of the treatment is neglected. It is important for patients to protect the area of skin that has been treated – this will reduce the risk of bacterial entry and subsequent infection.
Benefits of Laser Tattoo Removal
- Laser tattoo removal is a permanent procedure that will eventually completely remove the tattoo from the skin.
- There are many reasons that an individual may want to remove a tattoo from their body. These may include regret or dissatisfaction with the appearance of the tattoo on their body.
- Others may opt for laser tattoo removal to remove a tattoo to improve employment prospects, due to the negative stigma of tattoos and their association with unprofessionalism in the workplace.
Laser Tattoo Removal Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How is a tattoo removed through Laser Tattoo Removal?
It utilizes laser beams which use concentrated bursts of energy to heat up the ink beneath the skin and break the ink into smaller particles.
2. Does Laser Tattoo Removal work the same for all tattoo colours?
No. Black tattoo pigment absorbs all laser wavelengths, making them the easiest to treat. Tattoos with different colors require the use of multiple lasers operating at different frequencies.
3. Does the tattoo disappear in one go?
No. After each laser tattoo removal visit, your tattoo should become progressively lighter but the exact number of sessions cannot be predicted in advance. The number of laser tattoo removal visits also depends on the age, size, color of your skin, how deep the tattoo pigment goes and the color of your tattoo. Smaller tattoos require fewer sessions than larger ones. Usually 5-10 sessions are required, although up to 20 may be required in some cases.
4. How does Laser Tattoo Removal feel?
You will experience irritation. But most patients don’t need anesthesia. Depending on the location of your tattoo, we may apply a topical anesthesia cream beforehand.
5. How do I care for the treatment area after a Laser Tattoo Removal session?
Use an ice pack to soothe the treated area. And apply an antibiotic cream or ointment and bandage to protect it. You should also be sure it’s covered with sunblock when you’re outside.
6. Am I completely free from any negative side-effects following a Laser Tattoo Removal session?
No. Hypopigmentation may occur which constitutes some changes in the texture or color of your skin following treatment. The skin can also get infected particularly when an area of the treatment is neglected.
7. Will Laser Tattoo Removal leave a scar?
Many patients are concerned about scarring from laser tattoo removal – they understandably want their skin to look as natural as possible after they’ve completed the tattoo removal process. Simple answer is if the tattoo already features scarring, expect that to remain. Any scarring that may remain after the laser tattoo removal procedure is often left over from when the tattoo was originally applied by the tattoo artist.
