Tattoo Recoloring: Can You Change The Color Of An Existing Tattoo
Having a colored tattoo can be a double-edged sword type of experience. First of all, colored tattoos generally look exceptional they are more vibrant and lively than the regular, black & white tattoos, and make the tattoo design come to life and stand out.
However, as time goes by and your tattoo gets older, some of the colors can change shade or fade away. That might seem the perfect moment to get a tattoo touch-up. But, what if you want to change the color scheme of the tattoo completely? Can you just go with another color for your existing tattoo, or is that just too much to expect?
Well, if youre wondering whether this is possible, youre at the right place. In the following paragraphs, well take a look at the possibility of tattoo recoloring and what your options are. So, without further ado, lets get started!
Erase Your Ink With Laser Tattoo Removal
Getting rid of your unwanted tattoos has never been faster or easier. Depending on how you respond to the treatment, our lasers can deliver visible results within a few months. After one or two years, most people are clear of their unwanted ink for good. Thats all the time it takes to achieve a lifetime of freedom from your old tattoo.
If The Tattoo Already Features Scarring Expect That To Remain
What many people don’t know is that any scarring that remains after a tattoo removal procedure is often left over from when the tattoo was originally applied by the tattoo artist.
When the proper laser protocols and patient aftercare are utilized, it’s very uncommon for a patient to scar from a Q-switched laser treatment. However, it is very common for a tattoo to feature pre-existing scarring from when it was applied.
When a Q-switched laser treats the skin, it targets and breaks down the tattoo pigment in the skin. If pre-existing scarring is present, it will break down this pigment within the scar tissue. Once the tattoo removal process is complete, the ink will have been eliminated from the location but any of the scarring from the original tattoo will likely still remain.
During the initial consultation while you are assessing the tattoo, touch it and see if pre-existing scarring is present. If so, mark it as such in the patient’s records and inform the patient that the laser will not eliminate scar tissue, just their ink.
A Q-switched laser is not the best device to use for scar revision and will not provide significant improvement to remaining scarring. Some skin specialists use fractional lasers to resurface scarred skin after the tattoo removal process.
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How Tattoos Are Removed
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.
Can Tattoos Be Removed Completely
Laser tattoo removal is a very thorough process. It works with treatments from finely tuned lasers that remove pigment from the skin. The settings are personalized to achieve the best results on your skin tone, scar tissue, and tattoo ink color. New laser tattoo removal technology ensures that the ink can be removed completely in many cases.
At Delete, we use the PicoWay laser by Candela Medical to ensure your tattoo removal process achieves the best results. Older and thinner inked tattoos tend to take fewer sessions than new ones since fading occurs naturally this is due to a number of factors such as sun exposure and circulation.
Tattoo size determines the length of each session, which can range from 10 to 60 minutes. Take a look at our gallery to see some of the incredible results weve achieved in removing tattoos.
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All Patients Should Expect Some Level Of Side Effects
We encourage practitioners to not gloss over side effects during the initial consultation explain the various side effects in full detail. This way, when your patients commit to the tattoo removal process, they’re informed and aren’t shocked the next day when their skin is sensitive and they are potentially limited from their normal activities or clothing.
The most common side effects are:
- Redness
- Hyperpigmentation
- Hypopigmentation
If all of the proper protocols are used based on the tattoo and the patient’s skin tone, all of these side effects are temporary. Redness, tenderness, and swelling typically subside within a day or two following treatment. Blisters usually appear within 24 hours of treatment sometimes the blisters are very large and may look alarming this is completely normal. Scabs, bruising, and blistering may take up to a week or longer to heal.
For patients with pigmentation issues, do not treat at the regular treatment intervals wait until the area has returned to its normal skin tone before treating again. The main risk for permanent pigmentation changes is if the practitioner continues to treat an affected area too aggressively. Even from the start, it is important to treat darker skin tones conservatively using wavelengths that have less absorption by melanin and reduced fluence levels.
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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Why Do I Need To Wait 6
Starting with the cleanest canvas possible on your skin doesnt only benefit you, but also your tattoo artist. Covering up a faded tattoo after laser tattoo removal gives you much more freedom with the design in terms of placement, colour, density of ink and size. This ultimately results in a far better quality cover-up tattoo and one in which you will love forever.
What Does Laser Tattoo Removal It Feel Like
Most people find that the sensation is similar, or less painful, to having a tattoo done. The treatments are super-fast even a medium-sized tattoo would be treated in a few minutes and cooling air helps to sooth the sensation of the laser. Correct aftercare which includes applying cooling treatments such as Aloe Vera, gentle treatment of the area, and avoidance of sun exposure will all ensure that you get the best and most comfortable treatment.
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How Soon Can You Get A Tattoo After Laser Removal
Once you have completed the removal process, you need to wait at least 6 weeks before embarking on a new tattoo in the treated area. This is because youll want to make sure your skin is completely healed before you get another tattoo. Allowing your body time between removal and the coverup ensures your immune system has slowed down and the new tattoo will not be pulled out along with the old ink.
Many people cover their old work. Why not give it the best possible outcome? Check out our Cover Up page to learn more from tattoo artists and clients who have had their own tattoos faded for new ink!
Getting a tattoo removed is a big step. Connect with us to start your removal journey.
Can I Pay In Instalments
We use two, actually! Were proud to be the only laser tattoo removal clinic in South Australia to offer both types of laser tattoo removal technology Q-Switch and Pico-second laser technology.
Our Cynosure MedLite C6 is what we use for our Q-Switch laser removal treatments. Its the machine that started it all for us and provides consistent and reliable results every time. In 2020, we welcomed the Cynosure PicoSure laser to our Port Adelaide clinic. Its the world’s first picosecond aesthetic laser, and it can remove blue and green tattoos .
Learn more about our technology here.
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Does Laser Tattoo Removal Leave Scars Or Blisters
There has been a rise in laser tattoo removal now that inking is part of our culture. Many have questions about the results and risks involved.
Tattoos now have less stigma, but tattoo enthusiasts want an alternative to unwanted ink that has become permanent.
Patients are mostly concerned about scarring and the treatment results. Patients want skin to look as if they never got inked, but it’s important to have realistic expectations as each individual tattoo differs.
How Many Treatment Sessions Do I Need To Remove A Tattoo
This is a common question and a hard one to answer. Every individual and tattoo is unique. Your skin type, the amount and type of ink used, how your body heals, all are just some of the range of factors that go into estimating the amount of removal sessions.
We absolutely can not estimate without sitting down and reviewing all of the removal factors. Luckily we offer a 100% free consultation to do exactly that!
Will you remove tattoos from minors?
At Advanced Aesthetics Ink, individuals younger than 18 can be treated with signed consent and presence of a parent or guardian with proper ID. Under the age of 16 will also require consent from your primary care physician.
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Does Tattoo Removal Hurt
Laser tattoo removal typically does involve some level of pain. That said, many say that it hurts less than they expected.
It’s a common belief that tattoo removal is excruciating, yet most patients say that the sensation of removal is comparable to having a tattoo applied. Common descriptions include the sensation of a rubber band snapping against the skin or bacon grease basically it’s uncomfortable but bearable.
Can You Do Laser Hair Removal Over Tattoos
The quick response is no. Even if you want to remove the tattoo tomorrow, trained laser specialists will advise you against using laser hair removal on top of a tattoo.
In addition to distorting your tattoo, inappropriate lasering on inked skin might result in burns, blisters, or skin damage. Laser hair removal equipment is not intended to erase tattoos.
Preparation is the best course of action. In the region where you want your tattoo, schedule a complete course of laser hair removal. An added advantage is that your tattoo will seem much more amazing on a smooth canvas!
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The Speed Of Removal Depends On The Patient And Their Tattoo
The Kirby-Desai scale is a popular and well-regarded tool for analyzing the number of treatments a tattoo will need for removal. The scale accounts for the following factors that affect the rate of removal:
- Fitzpatrick skin type
- Amount of ink
- Pre-existing scarring
The Kirby-Desai scale was published in 2009, and technology has improved since then to remove tattoos, but it continues to be an excellent tool for assessing where a patient stands on the bell curve. There are also other factors, such as patient health, that affect the speed of removal. If a patient is young, physically fit, and has a strong immune system, they will tend to see results faster than an older, obese patient with health problems. Encouraging patients to exercise, drink ample water, and massage thetreated area are good aftercare tips to share with patients looking to get the best results.
Technology plays an important factor in the rate of removal. The Astanza Trinity is the most powerful multi wavelength laser system on the market no other system can match its high peak power across three wavelengths. Interested in learning about laser wavelengths for achieving results? Check out our blog post: Why Wavelengths Matter for Removing Tattoos.
When Is The Right Time To Get The New Tattoo
If you have recently got your tattoo removed through laser treatment, you must allow your body to recover from the impact of the treatment. According to expert practitioners, you must wait for six to eight weeks before visiting a tattoo parlour.
However, every case is unique, and it is recommended to get your skin examined by the practitioner before embarking on the journey of reinking. If the treated skin has blisters or any other sign of infection, you should not get the new tattoo.
It is common sense to let your skin heal before you think about getting tattooed again. The gap allows the immune system to stop working on the removal of the shattered ink and take a back seat.
Thus, when you get a new tattoo done in the same place, the lymphatic system will not work too hard to remove the foreign ink from the body. It will help you to retain the darkness of the new tattoo after getting rid of the old one.
If you have made the mistake of opting for an amateur and unprofessional laser technician, you may have abrasions on the skin after healing.
Thus, when you get a new tattoo, the artist may not be able to get the grading correct. It may appear uneven. So, make sure that you choose the laser skin clinic carefully and after thorough research.
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Laser Tattoo Removal Comes With Risks And Side Effects
Laser tattoo removal can have side effects. These can include swelling, redness, blistering and infections at the removal site. Some patients may also experience hyperpigmentation, inflammation and scarring, Dr. Graf notes. As such, its mega-important to follow your doctors instructions about preparation before lasering as well as maintenance following treatments.
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Scarring From Tattoo Removal Is Highly Unusual
Reassure your patients that you use proper protocols and a professional-grade system that is safe for their skin. Ultimately, as a practitioner, you’ll still want the patient to sign a consent form addressing the risks of the procedure and promote a strong emphasis on personal aftercare outside your practice.
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What Is Tattoo Removal Pain Like
The laser gun fires short pulses of light this is important. The short pulse of intense light will break down the ink but wont damage the surrounding skin cells.
That means that the overall process isnt that painful. The light bursts arent long enough to cause any serious damage and pain but that doesnt mean it wont hurt.
Getting a tattoo removed is comparable to applying friction on sunburn. So thats good news. If you were brave enough to get a tattoo, youre certainly brave enough to get it removed. It is uncomfortable, but its not as painful as getting the tatt in the first place and its a lot quicker. Most sessions only take a few minutes.
Many clinics will apply a numbing cream beforehand as well, to reduce the pain further.
Is Tattoo Removal Painful
Yes, tattoo removal is painful and may cause a certain amount of physical trauma to the area being treated. The pain intensity may not be the same for everyone because each person has different pain thresholds. Some areas, such as the inner sides of the thighs and arms, the neck and the ankle are more sensitive than others. Areas with more fat like the arms and legs are generally not as painful as the neck, ankle or finger, which are close to a bone and have less fat.
People who undergo tattoo removal described the pain as a hot rubber band snapped on the skin or sunburn being scratched. A few people say it is a little bit more painful than being tattooed, but it is a lot quicker.
Before tattoo removal, high potency lidocaine cream may be applied to the area to numb the pain. Throughout the process, the tattooed skin may be treated with ice packs or cool spray to decrease pain.
The most common side effects of tattoo removal may include
- Redness
- Hyperpigmentation
- Hypopigmentation
- Infection
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