Laser Tattoo Removal Information
Laser tattoo removal is becoming a more viable option for many unhappy tattoo owners. Whether it's the unsightly Chinese characters you thought translated to "love", or the name of your ex, tattoo regret can strike people years after they've been inked. Removing tattoos via laser therapy is one of the safest methods of removing a tattoo available, however; it is not without its drawbacks. There are known side effects, and some tattoos cannot even be fully removed. In this article, we will discuss everything you may have been wondering about removing a tattoo using this method.
Like many other things, the cost of removing your tattoo can vary depending on numerous factors, including which state you live in and the reputation of the clinician conducting the procedure. Typically, this service rests in the $200 to $350 per visit range. Again, this is depending on quite a few things, and your removal could cost up into the thousands of dollars range. A Dermatologist or Cosmetic Surgeon who does tattoo removal as a part of his or her practice will charge more than a local laser tattoo removal clinic with trained clinicians operating the equipment. Also, the more skin your tattoo covers the more it is going to cost to remove it. Consider all factors before moving forward with tattoo removal, and remember to think long-term. Remember, this procedure is generally considered to be a cosmetic procedure and will most likely not be covered by your health insurance. It is almost certain that you will be paying out of your pocket.
Finding Your Laser Removal Specialist
If you have decided that laser removal is the way to go, the first step is to find the right clinic. This does not have to be a difficult process. A personal referral from a friend is always the best way to go if possible. Otherwise, in a manner similar to how you would choose a family physician, do your research and find someone you feel comfortable with. Given that you will be paying out of your own wallet, it is important that you are confident going in that the clinician will meet your satisfaction. Looking online to find out the reputation of laser clinics is as simple as utilizing a search engine, and this will be best for you in the long-run.
Prior to your first laser session you should have an appointment so that the Doctor or clinician can assess your tattoo(s). This is a good time for you to ask questions about the procedure from a list that you have prepared prior to the appointment. It is best to have these questions written down and not rely on your memory.
Your First Laser Treatment
The big day has arrived. You've decided on laser tattoo removal, researched the clinic you wish to attend, and have shown up ready to get the ink removed. So what exactly goes on at the clinic? When you arrive in the clinician's office, you will be fitted with a pair of protective eye wear to guard against the laser beam. The doctor will test your skin's reaction to the laser probe, and begin applying it in bursts - anywhere from ten to forty bursts depending on the tattoo. These bursts are breaking up ink particles into millions of little pieces which the body's immune system will eventually dispose of naturally. The process will take no more than a few minutes (five to ten being a reasonable estimate). However, if you have a larger or more intricate tattoo, it will take multiple sessions with a treatment cycle of 6 to 8 weeks between treatments until the tattoo is gone. This could take several months to a couple of years depending on the amount and color of ink being removed.
Laser Removal and Tattoo Color
Black, dark blue and pure red are the easiest colors to remove. Light colors such as yellow, light blue, light green and pink will require multiple sessions because light colored pigments tend to reflect laser light making them more difficult to remove. If areas of your tattoo contain white titanium pigment, those areas should not be treated for several years in order to give them time to fade. Treating white tattoo pigment before it has had time to naturally fade a bit will be a waste of money because white pigment reflects all wavelengths of light and will therefore not respond to laser treatments.
Discomfort Related To Laser Removal
Because of the temperatures attained in the skin when using laser, the entire process will be painful. It has been described as a rubber band popping on the skin or hot grease splatters on your skin. Pain is a subjective sensation and everyone has a different pain threshold. Your doctor can provide an aesthetic injection or cream as a form of pre-treatment, and will prescribe an antibacterial ointment for post-treatment. Most likely, the treated area will blister and scab. Treat it similarly to how you treated the initial scabbing when your tattoo was applied.
Possible Laser Removal Side Effects
It goes without saying that taking a laser beam to the human body is not without its share of side effects. Hyper-pigmentation, or an abundance of skin color at the location of the treatment is possible, but rare. Conversely, hypo-pigmentation is possible, which is a lightening of the treated area compared to the surrounding skin pigment once the entire process is completed. Scarring is a possibility, but with current technology it is only about a 5% chance of occurring with laser tattoo removal. In some cases the a scar is pre-existing and was created by the tattoo artist when the tattoo was applied, but could not be seen because the scar tissue was filled with ink.
Facial Makeup and Laser Removal
Many people ask if permanent facial makeup can be removed via laser. In many cases it can, but the answer most doctors will give you is "no" to eyeliner and in some cases tattooed eyebrows, because of liability issues. Lip liner can be removed, but it is entirely up to the individual Doctor or clinic as to whether they will do laser procedures on permanent facial makeup.
Obviously, there is much to digest when considering laser tattoo removal. It is definitely something that needs a strong commitment as it includes time, pain, and money. However, if you decide that removing a tattoo using this process is right for you then it will be worth the time and expense.
