What is Laser Tattoo Removal?
Laser Tattoo Removal is a medical procedure that uses light energy in the form of lasers to help remove a tattoo that the patient no longer wants. It can ensure the removal of a wide range of colors and inks effectively and in a safe manner.
How it Works
Medical lasers use an intense beam of light to significantly lighten or completely remove your tattoo. Different wavelengths of light treat different colors of ink. When the ink particles of your tattoo absorb the light from the laser, they are broken up into tiny fragments. These fragments are then absorbed through your body’s natural cleansing mechanism. This cleansing process generally takes a few weeks. Larger ink particles may require multiple treatments.
Results
Recovery
Right after your treatment, your skin may have white discoloration, and the area around the tattoo may be reddish and could have some swelling. This is normal and will disappear slowly over time. Maximum treatment results take about 5-6 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Should I have my tattoo removed with laser removal?
Laser tattoo removal is widely considered one of the most effective ways to remove a tattoo completely. If you aren’t happy with tattoo decisions of your past, this is a great way to permanently remove your tattoo. - What are the treatments like?
Some patients feel a slight sting, like the snap of a rubber band on the skin, followed by the feeling of sunburn. Many treatments do not require anesthetics. However, some patients feel more comfortable with a local numbing agent like ice or an anesthetic cream. For others, a local anesthetic injection may be beneficial. - What are some of the side effects from laser tattoo removal?
Most commonly, people experience redness, tenderness, swelling, blistering, scabbing, bruising or discoloration. This is typically as a result of the heat from the laser. With proper care, most people will not experience scarring, but that is a possibility. - How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments required for maximum improvement depends on the size, location, depth and color of your tattoo. Treatments should be placed 4-8 weeks apart to allow your body to remove the maximum amount of tattoo pigment. Treatment sessions usually take from 10 to 30 minutes. Most patients will see improvement in their tattoos. The improvement can be quite dramatic. However, large or heavily pigmented tattoos applied by a professional tattooist can require several treatments for optimal results. - Will I experience any scarring?
With proper care following the laser tattoo removal, most people will not experience scarring as a result of the treatment. If you experience blistering, proper care, as well as avoiding picking the scab will prevent scarring from happening. A licensed practitioner is trained to minimize the risk of scarring. - Is it safe to have a tattoo removed?
For the most part, tattoo removal is a common and widely used procedure that has minimal side effects. As long as the site remains clean and free of infection, it is a pretty safe process. - How effective is laser tattoo removal?
While it varies from person to person and depends greatly on the age and colors used in the tattoo, along with the appropriate amount of sessions, most people find that their tattoo fades and becomes nonexistent, making it a very effective way to remove a tattoo.