Laser Tattoo Removal

Tattoo has been a part of mainstream culture and youths are crazy about tattooing their body parts with attractive designs. Modern-day tattoo are created using electric tattoo machine with needles, which punctures the skin with up-down movements. Different colors are applied to tattoos to make them more attractive. However, after few days, you may get fed up of your tattoo design and wish to get a new one. In some people, tattooing site may get infected. In such situations, you start to think about different options for tattoo removal.

Question is that can all tattoos be removed? As tattooing is meant to be permanent, removal of tattoos is not easy. Since tattoos are applied deeply under the skin, previous removal methods such as dermabrasion, excision, chemical removal and previous lasers can lead to unacceptable levels of scarring. Degree of remaining color blemishes or variations depends on location, size, method of tattoo application and individual’s ability to heal. Today, laser tattoo removal is most commonly preferred method, which works by using pulses of highly concentrated lights. It targets tattooing ink and breaks it into small fragments. Afterwards, they are cleared away by your immune system.

How is Tattoo removed using Lasers?

If you want to go for laser tattoo removal, you will have to find out a reputable cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist to ensure appropriate treatment. Number of treatment sessions may vary depending upon color and size of tattoo. Although several sessions are required, your tattoo may be removed within 2-4 visits.

Laser treatment focuses on tattoo ink, which is broken into small fragments using highly concentrated ray of colored light beams. Fragmenting of ink particle may need numerous sessions depending upon depth of ink level. It is quite safe procedure as it is bloodless and without making any incision.

Laser tattoo removal procedure involves following steps:

• Patient’s eyes are covered with protective eye shields.
• Reaction of your skin to laser is tested to determine the most effective energy for tattoo removal treatment.
• A hand piece is placed against the surface of skin and then, laser light is activated. Patient may feel each pulse like snapping a rubber band against the skin or grease splatter.
• Larger tattoos need more pulses, while smaller may require fewer. In many cases, tattoos need multiple visits and numerous treatment sessions. During every treatment session, tattoo should progressively get lighter.
• Application of ice pack to treated area immediately after treatment can help soothe the area. It is followed by application of topical antibiotic ointment or cream. Treatment site is protected using a bandage. When you will be exposing to sun, you should cover treatment site with a sun block.

In most patients, anesthesia is not necessary. However, doctor may prefer to use some kind of anesthesia such as painkiller injection at treatment site or topical anesthesia cream, depending upon location of tattoo and patient’s ability to tolerate pain. Laser treatment for tattoo removal is more suitable for those, who have fair skin and superficially placed tattoos on chest, arms, legs or buttocks. For the dark-skinned people with tattoo placed on fingers or ankles, laser treatment is quite difficult and not much effective. Old tattoos can be easily removed as compared to newer ones. The procedure may last for about 15-40 minutes and it may require multiple sessions of about 4-8 weeks for complete tattoo removal.

Benefits of Laser Tattoo Removal

During laser treatment, selective area is targeted and hence, tattoo is destroyed without causing any damage to surrounding tissues. It significantly reduces possibilities of scarring. Lasers have variable pulse durations and different wavelengths and specific colors absorb different laser beams. It makes it possible for the physician to select precise combination of lasers for the color and depth of a particular tattoo and for multi-colored tattoos. Although some changes in skin color and texture are unavoidable, skin appears more natural and uniform after treatment.

Possible side effects of Laser treatment

This procedure has very few side effects and they may include hypo-pigmentation or hyper-pigmentation of skin. Other possible side effects are infection at treatment site or possibility of permanent scarring. Treatment area may appear like sunburn for some months and then, skin will become normal. There is a possibility of development of tiny, superficial cysts in treated area. Laser treatment may also give rise to burns or other injuries. Cosmetic tattoos such as eyeliner, lipliner or eyebrows may become dark after the treatment. To minimize these risks, you need to carefully follow doctor’s instructions. Generally, laser tattoo removal is not covered by the insurance.

Get the benefits of convenient laser tattoo removal techniques and decorate your body with latest tattoo designs. After all, you have to keep changing with modern trends, isn’t it?