Are you bored with your tattoo? Or maybe you’re wishing you hadn’t made such a lasting mark on your body. A recent survey in the United States showed that 17% of people sporting a tattoo consider having it removed.
But how easy is it to get a tattoo removed and how do you go about it? Though it may sound simple, several factors should be considered when removing a tattoo. Removal creams can fail to take off the whole tattoo, whilst other methods that involve incisions or burning can cause pain or scarring. The colours used in the tattoo, as well as its size and density, can all affect the suitability of removal treatment, how long it will take, and how effective it will be. It is essential to discuss these elements with trained professionals who can steer you in the right direction to ensure the removal of your tattoo in the safest and most effective way for you.
What is laser tattoo removal?
Laser tattoo removal has become the standard treatment for tattoo removal because it offers an effective, safe and fast solution for removing unwanted tattoos. With the right lasers, most common tattoo colours can be removed: black, dark tones and red. Our laser is not able to remove sky blue, light green and yellow colours.
We do not remove cosmetic tattoos on the brows, eyeliners and lips.
How does it work?
The laser affects the tattoo with very short and strong laser pulses that penetrate deep into the skin, without injuring the top layers. These pulses are then absorbed by the pigments in the ink and as the laser light is transformed into photoacoustic waves, mechanically breaking up the ink into smaller particles. These are then naturally absorbed by the body’s own immune system.
How many sessions do I need?
The number of treatments will depend on the size of the tattoo as well as its location, depth, and colour. Amateur tattoos are the easiest to remove whereas professional ones may require more treatment sessions. The tattoo will fade slowly between treatments as the body removes the remainders of the tattoo pigment.
Before and After Pictures courtesy of Fotona
How will I feel during treatment?
Apart from a mild pricking sensation, most people do not experience any high level of discomfort during the procedure. Numbing cream can be used and/or painkillers can be taken to ease discomfort if needed.
Will the tattoo disappear completely?
In many cases, greater than 95% fading of the tattoo may be achieved with laser tattoo removal. However, it is very important to know that over 100 tattoo inks are in use worldwide today. Not knowing which tattoo ink, how deep, or how much was used, makes it impossible to predict the extent of laser removal treatment in any given tattoo.
Does laser tattoo removal leave a scar?
The vast majority of patients treated by laser tattoo removal have not developed any scarring. It is, however, impossible to guarantee that no scarring will occur given the enormous differences between individuals. Some people may experience minor textural change on areas treated by tattoo removal lasers. If you have any evidence that your healing capacity makes you especially prone to bad scarring, please bring this to our attention so a test laser treatment can be carried out on your tattoo.
What happens after laser tattoo removal treatment?
There may be some pinpoint bleeding with scab or blister formation. An antibiotic dressing must be applied daily until the area is healed. You may bathe normally but we do suggest you minimise vigorous activity for a few days to optimise healing after your laser tattoo removal treatment.
