Inking oneself is a practice with deep historical roots. More than a quarter of Americans, and perhaps closer to half of all millennials, sport at least one tattoo.
Recent years have seen a surge in individuals getting tattoos and the number of persons wanting to remove them. The problem is that it’s harder to remove a tattoo than to get one put on because the permanent ink granules used in professional tattoos are injected beneath the skin’s surface. In most cases, procedures like laser tattoo removal treatment will require many sessions before noticeable improvement.
What is the method for laser tattoo removal?
To remove tattoos, lasers are used, which emit short, intense pulses of light that burn the ink under the skin, causing it to fragment. It’s possible that using numerous lasers with varying frequencies will be necessary to remove tattoos with a wide range of hues. Once the ink particles have been split down to a smaller size, the immune system may dispose of them independently.
Can you expect total removal of my tattoo with laser treatment?
It’s possible that your tattoo will not go away entirely. Although lasers have made great strides in removing unwanted tattoos, there are still some hues of tattoo dye that cannot be effectively removed. Specific paint colours may be simpler to remove than others. Because they absorb light more effectively, lasers work exceptionally well on blue/black tattoos. Investigations into the reactions of various hues are underway.
How painful is tattoo removal using a laser?
The pain experienced by tattoo removal patients varies widely. A few people have compared the sensation to getting a tattoo, while others have stated it’s more akin to having a rubber band snapped against their skin.
Whether you opt for a local injection or a topical anaesthetic cream depends on your tolerance for discomfort and the tattoo’s placement.
You should consult a dermatologist specialising in tattoo removal, if feasible.
Why does laser tattoo removal require many treatments?
Since tattoo artists often add many coats of ink, removal usually requires multiple sessions. The lasers work by shattering the ink pigment into tiny pieces. Thus it takes a while for the body to flush out the ink between sessions. Because laser treatments can occasionally cause swelling and blistering and temporarily alter skin colour, your skin will require time to recover afterwards.
How long will it take to see the results of laser tattoo removal?
An ice pack will be used to calm the region immediately after therapy. Your doctor may suggest an antibiotic ointment or lotion for you to rub over the affected area. A bandage or patch can help keep the area clean and safe from further damage.
You can take a shower the following day, but you should avoid washing the afflicted region. Sunscreen should be used to shield the treated area while going outside in the sun. Scarring is more likely to occur if you pick at the region.
Is it risk-free to get tattoos removed with a laser?
Newer technologies have made laser tattoo removal a lot less invasive and risky, so you can get your ink removed without worrying about scars (again, assuming you use a reputable provider). Laser treatment is often safer than older procedures like excision or dermabrasion. Laser therapy is effective on pigments. Excision uses a surgical knife to remove the tattoos (a scalpel). In dermabrasion, the top layer of skin is removed mechanically.
