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Can Tattoos Be Removed Completely

Can Tattoos Be Completely Removed

What Happens When You Get A Tattoo Removed

Much to the frustration of everyone researching laser tattoo removal, theres no easy answer to this one. Many tattoos can be removed almost without a trace, while others have stubborn particles that will never disappear completely. The ink used for tattoos is generally made from compounds of heavy metals like lead, copper, and manganese, and is pushed deep into the skin via a needle, says Taylor. The body reacts to the intrusion by sending white blood cells to engulf the metal particles. Some ink particles that are small enough to be carried by the white blood cells are taken to the liver where theyre processed. The larger ones cant be carried off by the white blood cells, meaning the tattoo will fade over time but won’t disappear this can vary depending on the tattoo.

Having been undergoing treatments for just over three years , Im confident that my tattoo will fade to the point of being basically invisible. I say this because its responded well to treatment, so far leaving no scarring or pigmentation . Even if remnants of it do remain, however, I trust theyll be minimal and barely noticeable. Besides, once you start the process of getting a tattoo removed, youll realise that minor lines are nothing compared to the original thing.

Will Removing My Tattoo Be Uncomfortable

Laser tattoo removal is a gentle technique that is often easier than the process of getting a tattoo. Further, our laser treatments have safety features that are designed to help you relax during your treatment. For instance, we will protect your safety by using sophisticated lasers that will not damage your skin. Further, we may advise you to use ice packs or healing creams to help your skin recover after your laser sessions.

How Does Tattoo Removal Work

The PicoWay and PicoSure lasers fire very short but high-energy pulses of light into the skin theyre about a thousandth of a millionth of a second long. The energy from the lights goes into the tissue, explains Pulse Light Clinics senior consultant Barbara Taylor, adding that it doesnt harm the skin. It travels through until it hits the tattoo pigment, and then the light is absorbed into the pigment. Taylor says that the light is so fast that when its absorbed, it breaks the large clumps of tattoo pigment that were trapped in your skin into smaller particles. Now the smaller particles can be absorbed and taken away by your autoimmune system your macrophage and white blood cells, she continues. They come in and carry the small particles of pigment away, and therefore fade down the tattoo.

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What Tattoo Removal Involves

You’ll need to shave the area of skin before the appointment.

On the day, you’ll be given special goggles to protect your eyes. A local anaesthetic cream may be used to numb the skin.

A handheld device will be pressed on your skin to trigger a laser. Some people say this feels like an elastic band snapping against your skin.

The session will take about 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of your tattoo.

The tattoo should become lighter with each treatment.

A gel is used to cool and soothe your skin, and it might be covered with a dressing.

How Tattoos Are Removed

Can A Black Tattoo Be Removed Completely

Since ink-noshing macrophages are what make tattoos, scientists have proposed removing unwanted tattoos by activating some other immune cells to grab the ink and take it off to lymph nodes, to be carried off in lymph fluid. But this is just an idea for now.

Momentarily, the most widely used tattoo removal procedures involve firing ultra-short laser pulses onto ink particles to break them up. The lasers fire a pulse every trillionth of a second, delivering a lot of energy to the particles in a very short amount of time. This procedure is known as photothermolysis, and is exactly the same process used in laser hair removal.

Once the ink particles which may be made of titanium dioxide, lead, chromium, nickel, iron oxides, ash, carbon black, and other ingredients are broken apart by the laser, the remnants are transported by white blood cells to the liver. Even without the laser breaking apart the ink, armadas of white blood cells are always moving small quantities of ink particles away from the tattoo site. However, theyre much too small to gobble up ink particles whole, so their impact is minimal. They nevertheless cause the tattoo to fade over time and lose its luster.

Black-colored tattoos are the easiest to remove since the dark ink absorbs virtually all laser wavelengths. Color pigments need to be treated by lasers firing at certain frequencies, typically requiring more lengthy sessions to remove.

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Pain And Side Effects Of Laser Tattoo Removal

Does tattoo removal hurt? That depends on a persons pain threshold, Kosoglu says. Some people compare the sensation of laser removal to being spattered with drops of hot bacon grease or snapping a thin rubber band against the skin. A trained dermatologist will be able to adjust the treatment to the patients comfort level.

Some side effects may include pinpoint bleeding, redness, or soreness, none of which should last for long. Another possible side effect of tattoo removal is scarring.

Luke says that these laser devices are cleared for use by, or under the supervision of, a health care professional. The removal procedure requires using the correct type of laser, understanding the reaction of tissue to laser, and knowing how to treat the area after the procedure.

If you have any concerns about having a tattoo removed, its a good idea to consult your dermatologist, who is knowledgeable about laser treatments, Luke concludes.

The ASDS has a list of dermatological surgeons who specialize in tattoo removal.

Consumers are asked to report adverse reactions from tattoos, as well as problems with tattoo removal, to FDAs MedWatch.

How Do The Lasers Work

The lasers penetrate your skin to the dermis layer, which is where the tattoo ink was deposited. But dont worry unlike tattoo needles, the laser doesnt actually penetrate your skin.

Instead, the laser fires natural infrared light at different wavelengths. The ink absorbs the light and breaks down from a semi-solid state to a solid state. Basically, the light turns the ink from large, permanent particles to smaller and smaller particles.

Once the ink has fractured into very small particles, your immune system can get to work. Your body will naturally try to flush out the foreign ink particles that were too large to tackle before. Macrophages slowly remove the ink via your blood.

It sounds a bit scary, but laser tattoo removal is completely safe. Its actually the recommended method of tattoo removal , and a lot of laser tattoo removal equipment is checked and approved by the FDA too.

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Is There Anything That I Can Do To Improve My Results

Yes, you play a key role in the results you see. Doing the following will help you to achieve the best results and reduce your risk of side effects:

  • Keep all of your appointments for laser tattoo removal. Too often, people stop treatment before they see optimal results. Each treatment removes more ink.

  • Follow your dermatologists instructions for at-home care. You may need to wash the area and apply an antibiotic ointment for a few days. Slathering on moisturizer and covering the area until the skin heals are also important.

  • Protect your treated skin from the sun for 3 months. The best way to protect your skin is to wear clothing that covers the area. The clothing covering your treated skin must block light completely.

  • You want to cover your treated skin with clothing that completely blocks light

    The white and yellow shirts in this picture let light shine through.

    How Much Does It Cost

    It’s No Big Deal “Laser Tattoo Removal”

    Again, theres no definitive answer to this. Most clinics charge per session based on the size of the tattoo. At Pulse Light Clinic right now, for example, very small tattoos start from £40 per session, while extra large tattoos cost £88.40 per treatment. You can find the in-between prices here but, not to sound too much like the small print of an ad, they might differ over time and on a case-by-case basis. If youre forcing an answer out of me, youre looking at somewhere between £300 and £700 for eight sessions and you may need more than that.

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    What Makes The Enlighten Laser Different From Other Laser Technologies

    To effectively remove a tattoo, the laser energy must be delivered at high power over an extremely short period of time. The enlighten laser delivers high energy in extremely short picosecond pulses. A picosecond is one trillionth of a second, much shorter than the nanosecond technology used by most existing tattoo removal lasers. A faster laser pulse breaks up ink more efficiently and more completely, resulting in fewer overall treatments.

    Not Feeling Your Ex’s Name Tattooed Across Your Shoulder Here’s What You Need To Know Before You Have It Removed

    Submit to Reddit underwent 25 surgeries

    There is perhaps no better embodiment of the feeling of regret than a bad tattoo. Bad in this instance can mean a lot of things. Maybe the artist failed miserably what was supposed to be a majestic lion turned out to be a mutant kitty cat looking cross-eyed from your shoulder. Or perhaps your supposed soulmates name etched on your forearm is no longer relevant since you parted ways. There are, in fact, many reasons why people may have a change of heart and would like to reverse a decision they thought was permanent.

    Luckily, thats where tattoo removal procedures come in. However, it will cost you a lot of money, time, and a great deal of pain. In some instances, the procedure can leave scars.

    Also Check: Phoenix Tattoo Removal And Skin Revitalization

    Lather Up On The Sunscreen Prior To Your Sessions

    Once you know you’re unhappy with a tattoo on your body, immediately start using a zinc oxide sunscreen on it, says Cirlin. The most common reason people can’t get lasered is because their tattoo has had sun exposure. By using a zinc oxide anytime you’re outside, you’ll help protect your tattoo, which will allow you to get lasered regardless of the season.

    Neem Oil For Tattoo Removal

    Tattoo Removal Before And After Photos At Disappearing Inc

    Why Is Neem Oil Used To Remove Tattoos? Neem oil is a natural product which has been used for centuries by the native Indians in Asia and Africa as an antiseptic, pain reliever and to help soothe skin irritations. Neem oil is extracted from the seeds of the neem tree which is found throughout tropical countries.

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    Why Should I Choose Natural Based Instead Of Chemical Based

    You have to know that chemical based tattoo removers burn the top layer of the skin and then scab over. Which in turn, covers the tattoo but the skin is never the same. During our market research, the highest percentage of consumers interested in our product plan on getting another tattoo. A chemical based remover would make the application of a new a tattoo look very unprofessional and the finished work would look appalling. Some natural options attack and clear the ink from deep in your skin. Leaves no scabs behind and refreshes and rejuvenates your skin.

    Well, take a look for yourself. Heres one person going through the process whom I am about to describe.

    A man with large tattooed arm succeeds removing it at home cheaply

    This man had his medium arm tattoo removed for just a few dollars at home. If he went to a clinic, a tattoo of that size would have cost him about $300 per session . If the man wen to clinic four sessions, he would spend $1,200 to completely remove his tattooed arm. This did not happen overnight. Just like laser removal, the best results happen after a certain amount of time. Theres a huge difference between this method and laser though, at least about the cost.

    That is not even considered expensive compared to a full sleeve or chest tattoo removal, which can be several thousand dollars! Crazy! So you can see that all natural methods can both work and be a heck of a lot easier on your wallet.

    How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work

    Tattoos are actually clumps of ink pigment located deep within the skin. When a laser strikes the tattoo, it will break the clumps of pigment into smaller particles. Eventually, the particles become small enough that the bodys immune system can dispose of the pigment. When done properly, no scarring occurs.

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    How Do Lasers Facilitate Tattoo Removal

    You need to understand what a tattoo is and how it works before you can understand exactly how laser tattoo removal works. Archaeologists have found evidence suggesting numerous human cultures have been tattooing for millennia. Although state-of-the-art electronic tools have changed the way tattooing is performed, the essence of tattooing remains fairly constant. A needle or a similar tool is used to embed coloration into the skin permanently.

    This Treatment Is Completely Safe And Highly Effective

    Watch This Man Have His Face Tattoo Removed From Laser Surgery | Business Insider

    Wed like to reiterate that there is no safer, more effective way to get rid of unwanted tattoos than laser treatments. Lasers use a beam of light that is extremely concentrated to break the coloration down to the point your body can sweep it up and flush it out without affecting the surrounding skin at all. The tattoo will fade as your lymphatic system processes the disintegrated ink particles created by the laser.

    A Note on Your Lymphatic System

    Your lymphatic system is part of your bodys immune system. People often consider their lymphatic system to be akin to a drainage system. This systems primary function is to flush out potentially harmful substances, like toxins and excess fluids, out of the body. Your body is encouraged to ramp up your lymphatic system when lasers are used to break down pigmentation into tiny pieces.

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    What Tattoos Can Be Removed

    Modern tattoo removal lasers are effective at removing most tattoos, but not all tattoos can be removed completely. Factors such as color, location, the density of the ink, and age can impact the overall success of the tattoo removal process.

    Older tattoos are typically the best candidates for removal, as the ink particles weaken over time and are easier to break down. Black ink is typically easiest to remove, as it absorbs light more than other colors.

    Skin type is also a factor when performing laser tattoo removal. Since darker skin types have more melanin, certain colors of ink are not able to be targeted. Black ink is safe to treat on all skin types however extra precaution should be taken with those with more pigment in their skin to avoid possible damage to the skin.

    At EradiTatt, we consider all of these factors when developing your individual treatment plan. We have great success rates of complete removal on a variety of skin tones, ages, and tattoo locations. View our tattoo removal gallery to see the results other patients have experienced.

    What Colors Can A Laser Remove From The Skin

    The laser we use affects different colors differently because it is an incredibly concentrated light beam. Brighter pigmentations will reflect more of the lasers light. Thus, if your tattoo comprises bright colors, you will need more removal sessions than you would if you had a dark tattoo that absorbed more of the light beam.

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    What Is The Best Treatment Frequency

    Your skin will require healing time between treatments, so the ideal frequency for your laser tattoo removal treatments is about four weeks apart. Those who have sensitive skin may need to wait as much as six weeks between appointments. You will notice that your tattoo is gradually fading as your skin heals between appointments.

    Prepare For Your Tattoo Aftercare In Advance

    Can you completely remove a tattoo?

    You’ll need things like Aquaphor, bandages, and even clothes that don’t rest on your tattoo. Yes, I actually bought shirts that didn’t have material where my neck/back tattoo is. At first, I was cutting clothing tags out, but when tagless cotton tees still made the spot hurt and itch, I figured keyhole backs were a good investment. If you have tattoos on your ribs or feet , it might be best to plan your sessions accordingly.

    It also helps to apply a thin coating of antibiotic ointment or healing moisturizer like from Aquaphor or Kiehl’s three times a day, for the first three days of the healing process.

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    The Tattoo Removal Process

    Laser tattoo removal can significantly diminish the appearance of your tattoo, and may be able to remove it completely. Lasers use heat and light at specific wavelengths to break up the ink in your tattoo. These ink particles are then removed by your bodys own immune system.

    The tattoo removal process requires several visits to a specialist. During your first consultation with a professional, youll be given a general timeline thats based on the location, age, and color of your tattoo. Its possible your body will respond more quickly, or more slowly, to treatment than expected.

    On average, tattoo removal requires 8-10 laser treatment sessions, spaced 6-8 weeks apart. The total time required to remove a tattoo can depend on several factors.

    How Can I Remove My Tattoo

    There are a number of methods to achieve a tattoo removal, including dermabrasion, chemical peels, and surgical excisions. These options are often pretty aggressive and pretty invasive. This is why the most common and effective method is by laser treatment.

    A high-intensity laser is used to break up the ink particles of the tattoo into smaller pieces that can then be naturally removed by the immune system. Although different lasers are necessary for different colors, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery explains that a Q-Switched laser is typically used in order to remove the tattoo without causing damage to surrounding tissue. That’s important, as that ultimately decreases scarring.

    Tattoo removal is something where people really need to seek out the right treatment and usually thats with a slow, methodical treatment approach in a dermatology office using either a Q-switched laser or pico-type wavelengths, said Joel Cohen, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California at Irvine.

    And that slow approach means your tattoo isnt going to just disappear overnight. The process is pretty lengthy with multiple laser treatment sessions required to accomplish complete removal. Although it depends on the design, size, and color of your ink, laser tattoo removal can take 1 to 10 sessions, with 6-week healing periods in between sessions.

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