Everyone who gets a tattoo knows it’s permanent, but they don’t often think they’ll actually hate it down the road. In these instances, laser tattoo removal is a viable but slightly time-consuming process that erases the bad choice permanently etched on their skin.
What is Laser Tattoo Removal?
During laser tattoo removal, the laser breaks up the pigments in the ink with an intense light beam. Black ink is the easiest to remove because it’s able to absorb all wavelengths of light. The number of laser treatments needed to remove the tattoo depends on the size of it and the colors it has.
Some tattoos, usually black ones, may be removed in just a couple of visits, but larger, more colorful tattoos may need several sessions. Other factors that affect how many sessions are needed include how old the tattoo is, the color of the patient’s skin, and how deep the pigment is.
The handpiece is applied to the skin to send the light pulses through the ink. It may provide some discomfort, and many patients agree that it feels like a rubber band is snapping against their skin. With each treatment, the tattoo becomes lighter.
Once the treatment is over, an ice pack is placed over the skin to soothe the skin and reduce redness and inflammation. Patients may be given a topical antibiotic cream or ointment, and a bandage could be placed over the area to protect it from sunlight. Sunscreen is necessary until the area is healed.
Side Effects of Laser Tattoo Removal
Side effects are minimal, and redness, and swelling are the most commonly reported.
Schedule an Appointment
Tattoo removals have come a very long way in the past few decades, and patients are able to have their tattoo removed with no scarring or long-term effects. In the past, tattoo removal patients ended up with scars that were worse than the tattoo themselves, but now they can remove their tattoos safely and effectively.
Contact Metro Dermatology today to schedule a consultation.