What Are The Possible Side Effects
If you go to a reputable professional referred by your doctor, there are minimal side effects to laser tattoo removal. However, you should consider the following factors in your decision:
- The tattoo removal site can become infected.
- There is a slight chance that the treatment can leave a permanent scar. In some cases, they have been known to develop three to six months after the procedure.
- Some degree of skin discoloration is possible. The treated skin may either be paler than the surrounding skin or darker than the surrounding skin .
- Cosmetic tattoos, such as lip liner, eyeliner and eyebrows may get darker after initial laser treatments. You might have to have additional treatment to achieve fading.
You should never try to remove your tattoo yourself or use any form of home remedy for removing tattoos. At best, they will be ineffective. At worst, they could be dangerous to your health.
Tattoo removal at a tattoo parlor or spa, while perhaps safer than home remedies, still carries some risks. A trained dermatologist can better consider your overall health and more responsibly guide you on the safest treatment plan.
Does Aloe Vera Remove Tattoos
Aloe vera is another method of natural tattoo removal, and is basically painless. It can actually sooth and provide nutrients to your skin while you remove your tattoo, so its a win-win. It should begin to vanish in no time, and will leave your skin glowing with health!
The Top 5 Best Laser Tattoo Removal Machines 2021
- DONSU Q Switch Laser Tattoo Removal Machine. Price Range: $$$
- NEATCELL Hand-Held Laser Tattoo Machine. Price Range: $
- Lucid Q PTP Laser Tattoo Removal Machine. Price Range: $$$$$
- Youruo Portable Laser Tattoo Machine. Price Range: $$
- PicoSure Tattoo Removal Laser by Cynosure.
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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Who Is A Good Candidate For Laser Tattoo Removal
Most people are good candidates for tattoo removal, especially since technology has evolved to the point where it is relatively risk-free and painless to undergo the treatment. However, there are a few factors that make some people better candidates than others. If you have fairer skin with a dark or black tattoo, your results will generally be better and quicker. This is due to the fact that the lasers simply have to erase one color of the pigment.
The density of your tattoo and the amount of intricate design also matters. If your tattoo is a singular dense piece, its easier to remove than if there are many elements that need to be individually erased. With modern technology and expert care, laser tattoo removal can remove just about any tattoo. If its a trickier bit of work, you might need to come in for a few extra treatments. This will all be explained to you in your initial consultation.
Although it is not an exact science, we have noticed that those who are in better health, to begin with, tend to have more positive results from this treatment. The reason for this is because laser treatments work with your immune system to dispose of unwanted elements of your tattoo. If you are relatively healthy, eat well, active, and dont smoke, your tattoo removal process should be easier. That is not to say that you are out of luck if you are not in the best shape physically. You might just need a few extra treatments or longer sessions to erase your tattoo fully.
Watch For Potential Side Effects
The most common side effect is a darkening or lightening of the skin, known as either hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. This usually corrects itself within 6 to 12 months after treatment. Scars are also a potential risk as well as infection, burns, and textural changes of the skin.
Interested in tattoo removal?
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Schedule A Laser Tattoo Removal Appointment
Even though tattoos are meant to be permanent, some people come to regret them for many reasons. Whether they interfere with your professional life or your personal preferences have simply changed, the unwanted ink can be eliminated for good. At Spa 361 at the Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute, we can provide a solution in the form of laser tattoo removal. Our innovative tattoo removal technology offers satisfying results to men and women alike.
So does tattoo removal work, and how does laser tattoo removal work? Experience and technology are two very important factors when it comes to any tattoo removal procedure. Our clinic is proud to ensure the best possible results. If you have questions to ask our team, reach out to board-certified dermatologists Dr. Aradhna Saxena and Dr. David Kasper in Fort Washington and Lansdale, PA. Learn more about how tattoo removal works by scheduling your first treatment session today.
Tattoo on neck
Dermatologists Finding Ways To Speed Up Tattoo Removal
Dermatologists understand that people want a tattoo removed quickly. To give their patients faster tattoo removal, they continue to research technologies and techniques.
The results from this research look promising. In one study, patients safely had 4 laser treatments in 1 day. Dermatologists also are finding that they can remove more ink by using different lasers. In one case, patients had as much as 50% of the ink removed during 1 office visit.
More research is needed before these treatments become widely available, but one thing is certain. Lasers continue to outshine other tattoo-removal methods.
ImagesImage 1 : Used with permission of Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003 48:271-2.
ReferencesAmerican Academy of Dermatology, New and improved laser and light treatments take aim at cellulite, fat, tattoos, wrinkles, and sagging skin. News release issued Mar. 21, 2014.
American Academy of Dermatology, Lasers lighting the way for enhanced treatment of melasma and tattoo removal. News release issued Feb. 7, 2012.
Green JB, Metelitsa, AI. Optimizing outcomes of laser tattoo removal. Skin Therapy Lett. 2011 Nov-Dec 16:1-3.
Kirby W, Chen CL, et. al. Causes and recommendations for unanticipated ink retention following tattoo removal treatment. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2013 Jul 6: 2731.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Inked and regretful: Removing tattoos. January 30, 2013.
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Things To Know Before Getting Laser Tattoo Removal
Deanna PaiNov 24, 2021
Have you reached the regret phase of a years-old tattooor just want to fade your tattoo enough to cover it up? Whatevers led you to laser tattoo removal, theres good news: technology has come a long way. With this guide inspired by the most common questions the RealSelf community has about laser tattoo removal, you can understand the process accordingly. Here, 10 tips and things to know from New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, to help you prepare.
Naama Laser Tattoo Removal Technology
NAAMA uses extremely low energy lasers. This may seem like the lasers would therefore be less effective, but NAAMA pairs this with pulsing far faster than traditional methods of laser tattoo removal. This means that ink pigments are broken down far more quickly, and with no excess of energy, and this pairing results in far less energy escaping to surrounding areas and causing damage.
NAAMA’s Lightsense lasers are also very precise, being able to hone in on specific areas of skin, and deliver energy in a more controlled, uniform way which limits exposure to untattooed skin. The tattooed skin, and only this skin, will be targeted, meaning less pain and a much shorter recovery time overall.
As well as protecting healthy skin, this approach allows the laser beam to interact more effectively with ink, breaking it down faster, and enabling it to work well on even coloured ink too .
The main benefits of NAAMA’s Lightsense laser system is that it doesnt result in any long-term damage to skin, protecting your skin from burns and scarring. This allows for more regular treatment, as well as two treatments per removal session. The lasers can actually be used twice in one session, and sessions can be spaced out by as little as 1 week, rather than up to 8 weeks. Find out more about our laser tattoo removal technology.
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What Is Laser Tattoo Removal
Laser tattoo removal is the most effective and reliable way to fade and completely remove permanent tattoos. There are many factors that can affect the length and effectiveness of laser tattoo removal, but in general it usually takes anywhere between three to twelve repeat visits. The more treatments you have, the more the tattoo pigments are broken down and redistributed through your bloodstream, making way for a clean canvas. Tattooing after laser removal is still an option, provided you consider the following.
The Location On The Body
Because skin thickness can vary from your eyelids to thicker elsewhere, the amount of ink applied to those areas can vary as well. Laser tattoo removal works better on the torso and neck, but that does not mean that ankles, wrists, hands, feet, and other areas cant benefit from laser tattoo removal as well.
Your bodys ability to remove the ink can affect how long it takes for the completed process to take effect.
This is important to know. Laser tattoo removal breaks down pigment so the body can absorb it, this is why treatments are spaced apart 3 to 4 months to allow to body to break the pigment down and heal properly. The completed laser tattoo removal process can take upwards of a year while your body processes the broken down pigment. Final results can be different than those a couple of weeks later after your final laser removal session. There is no way to know how many sessions a person may need, unfortunately, but the average person can expect 5 to 12 treatments to have the best results.
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How Many Sessions Does It Take To Remove A Tattoo
The number of laser sessions required to obliterate a tattoo is determined on a case-by-case basis. It depends on many factors, such as the colors involved, layering, pre-existing scarring, the size, and the clients skin color. On average, it usually takes between six to eight appointments for complete success.
Solid black tattoos are the easiest to remove as black pigment absorbs the laser light easier than most other colors. So, if you have black ink, you may need fewer treatments for complete removal. Keep in mind, however, that your skin needs to heal between sessions. Laser tattoo removal isnt a quick process. To be safe, dont plan on being tattoo free for at least a year or so.
What Does Tattoo Removal Feel Like
The topical anesthetic does help with skin discomfort during the treatment, but patients may experience some redness and sensitivity afterward. Many people compare the sensation with having a light sunburn. We will stress the importance of keeping the area protected and covered after each appointment. Dr. Saxena, Dr. Kasper, or a member of our team will give you aftercare instructions to speed up the recovery process between treatments. We can also help you schedule your next session at our office in the Greater Philadelphia, PA, area.
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Are There Any Long
So far, I havent experienced any adverse effects from my tattoo removal, and am astounded by the results the ink has almost completely faded, I dont have any scarring, and the aftercare process has been completely stress-free. However, my tattoo is small and was done in black ink, making it easier to remove. Other people might endure a more arduous process. Because some colours are particularly difficult to remove, you may not be able to get rid of your tattoo completely, explains Taylor. Yellow, green, and purple ink require more sessions to fade than black, blue, and red. Theres also a chance that the area where the tattoo has been removed temporarily becomes darker or lighter than the surrounding skin. Permanent scarring is relatively rare, but it does occur in about three per cent of cases. But, she adds, tattoo removal can be great for anyone who seriously regrets their ink.
Find out more about laser tattoo removal at Pulse Light Clinic here.
Is Tattoo Removal Safe
On the whole, tattoo removal is regarded as a safe treatment a claim which is supported by the NHS: Having a tattoo removed is usually safe if it’s done by an experienced and suitably qualified practitioner. Newer technology in particular is designed to lessen side effects such as burns or skin damage and is regulated through the CE Mark or FDA approval . Its wise to make sure the device youre treated with has either the CE Mark or FDA approval – the clinic should be able to let you know. This ensures the clinic has done due diligence and is using equipment approved as a very safe form of tattoo removal.
You should also be checking the laser technician who will be treating you has the adequate qualifications to be practising laser tattoo removal safely. They should be trained in laser tattoo removal specifically not just lasers in general. The NHS recommends the same. Check your technician has an NVQ level 3 for Beauty Therapy and have also completed CPD . At the very minimum, they should have completed 3 days of CPD, although the most reputable technicians will have completed 10 days – wed recommend looking out for this. The NHS has a guide on choosing who will do your cosmetic procedure which you can find here which details how to find someone reputable for all cosmetic procedures . For ease, we have provided key information on our tattoo removal experts.
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Ink Retention And Paradoxical Ink Darkening
Black and blue pigments are often the easiest tattoo pigments to remove, while moderate success is seen with green. A poorer outcome is specifically seen with white, purple, turquoise, yellow, orange, and flesh-toned colours. Sometimes, instead of a QS laser, a pulsed dye laser can be used to treat pigment on the red-yellow spectrum, with good results described however, it is not the first-line choice since its pulse duration is considerably longer .
Fig. 2
Paradoxical ink darkening to the left. Treated successfully with QS Nd:YAG laser 1,064 nm to the right. Photos: Dr A Troilius Rubin.
Laser Removal Vs Cover
Covering up a tattoo is another alternative some people use to deal with unwanted tattoos. However, unlike laser removal, cover-ups can be risky, as you need to put your faith in an artist to be able to effectively cover the existing tattoo. Sometimes, a tattoo design is too dense or prominent for cover-ups to work and, if done incorrectly, a cover-up can only add insult to injury. Did you know that the best cover-ups are performed on tattoos that have been partially treated with laser removal technology? Yes, even if you want your tattoo covered up, fading it with lasers first can give you the best possible outcome.
Laser removal is the safest, least invasive, and most effective way to deal with unwanted reminders of the past. Dont complicate an existing problem by gambling on a cover-up solution. If youre tired of trying to hide embarrassing tattoos that seemed like a good idea at one point, then a laser treatment is your best option.
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How Many Treatment Sessions Will I Need
Before we administer your laser treatment, we will examine your unwanted tattoo and talk about your desired outcome. At this point, we will design a customized removal plan for you. As described above, the length of your plan will depend on the size, location, color, and design of your tattoo. In addition, your bodys response to the laser treatments will also affect the number of sessions that you receive.
If you would like to completely eliminate your unwanted tattoo, you will probably need to receive six to twelve laser sessions. To give your body ample time to react to your sessions, we will wait six to eight weeks between each appointment.
So How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Really Work
So basically our bodys immune system constantly fights against any foreign elements that somehow enter the body and try to push them out the same goes for tattoo ink as well. But the ink particles are too big for the white blood cells to handle, which is why professional permanent tattoos do not fade away. In this regard, professionals use carefully calibrated laser pens that direct energy exactly along the tattoo design to gradually break down the ink into smaller particles that cells can manage to eliminate.
So, laser energy only helps the body do something it already was trying to do, unlike most other tattoo removal techniques that scrape away a few layers of your skin. The latter may be cheap and quick, but painful and harmful as well.
In terms of comfort during the session, the laser tattoo removal process does sound painful to many. And although the process does involve high quantities of energy, specialists would use machines that cause minimum pain and may resort to numbing as and if necessary.
Again, the degree of any possible discomfort can be predicted by your expert taking into account the intricacy of your design, the colors, your skin type and conditions, where the tattoo is located, and the depth of the design within your skin.
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