What Can I Expect Immediately After Laser Tattoo Removal
Redness, swelling, slight blistering, a little itching, and raised areas are extremely common and should be expected after treatment. The skin will feel tender and sensitive at first. It should take a maximum of two weeks for all of these responses to treatment to subside.
Fifteen minutes after removal, the area will be very red, swollen, and sometimes a little itchy. It will stay like that for a week or so. I always tell clients when I treat them, dont be alarmed at how red it gets thats totally normal, says Cooper. But by the day after treatment, it wont be painful. Even after the treatment, clients are usually feeling just fine. You can tell that theyve undergone laser treatment, but its not going to hinder them from going about their daily lives.
You may also notice a frosting effect immediately after laser removal, which gives the tattooed skin a chalky appearance. This completely normal effect just signifies the release of carbon dioxide from the skin. This temporary reaction usually only lasts for a few minutes to half an hour after laser removal. If it takes longer than that, contact your removal specialist, but thats very unlikely to happen.
Simple Tattoos Vs Complex Colorful Tattoos
The smaller and simpler your tattoo, the easier it is to remove. On the other hand, larger tattoos, intricate designs, and a wider spectrum of colors are more time consuming and difficult for the technician to completely eliminate. The most difficult tattoos to remove will lighten or fade to limited noticeability rather than completely disappear.
It Hurts But It’s Bearable
When discussing pain with patients, it’s important to share that while they may experience some level of discomfort, the pain is relatively manageable and tolerable. It may take some tough love to encourage patients concerned about sensitivity.
The vast majority of tattoo removal providers offer some form of soothing to the skin during the treatment. Offering skin numbing during the procedure allows your practice to stay competitive, provide better patient care, and have higher patient satisfaction.
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What Should I Expect During My Recovery Period
After the procedure, the treated area is red and slightly swollen for a couple ofdays. Cooling the area and applying a skin healing cream as advised by thedoctor is recommended. You may develop some crusts over 2-3 days, whichtend to shed off spontaneously in next one week. Make sure not to pick thecrusts as this may cause scarring of the area.
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And Tattoo Removal Takes Time
Dr. Erum Ilyas of Montgomery Dermatology bases his pricing on both size of tattoo and the color of the ink. He told us that a tattoo the with an area around the size of the bottom of a can of soda that is mostly blues, blacks, and reds will cost about $300 per session and take somewhere between three and six sessions to remove. Each of these sessions runs between 15 and 30 minutes, but they need to be spaced apart by at least six weeks. So, the entire process could take a year to remove a tattoo entirely. While Sorrentino notes sessions most sessions can be performed in less than 10 minutes at his studio and he sees clearance in as little as four sessions and up to eight sessions, it could take up to 14 treatments to fully remove the tattoo.
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Once The Tattoo Is Gone It’s Gone Forever If You Don’t Like Your Tattoo It’s A Worthwhile Expense
For many practices, the minimum treatment session price for an extra-small tattoo is somewhere in the $75 – $125 range. Any price in this range is considered a normal minimum price for a single treatment. By having the minimum price stated, it allows patients to have a rough idea of the expected cost before they come into your clinic for their consultation.
Before starting any treatments, it’s important to set clear expectations and inform patients that tattoos do take multiple sessions to remove. Doing so eliminates any illusions or confusion they may have about per session pricing being the same as the total cost for complete removal. One way to communicate this effectively and to give patients an opportunity to save money is to sell treatment packages. Selling packages allows your practice to receive revenue upfront and also locks the patient into repeat visits to your practice.
If you’re still looking to determine the right pricing structure for your practice, check out our blog post: Pricing for Laser Tattoo Removal Treatments.
The Location Of Your Tattoo
Surprisingly, the speed of your tattoo removal process is affected by where you chose to get the ink done. Tattoos that are closer to your heart can be cleared faster than ones that are far away. This is because areas near your heart get stronger circulation and more immune system cell activity. For this reason, tattoos on your hands and feet might require more time than designs on your chest.
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Why Laser Tattoo Removal Sessions Must Be Spaced Out
One of the biggest reservations people interested in laser tattoo removal have is the length of time it will take for their tattoo to be completely removed. Unfortunately, it does take time to remove a tattoo, and the exact amount of treatments required can vary based on many factors.
The average tattoo will typically require anywhere between 6 to 12 treatments using PiQo4 technology. Since these treatments are completed 6-8 weeks apart youre looking at potentially more than a year for your tattoo to be completely gone. While this may sound like an extremely long time, that is actually a significant improvement compared to older Q-Switch lasers which often require 20 or more treatments that are spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart.
How Long Does Tattoo Removal Take
Most tattoo removal sessions take only about 10 minutes each. However, large and elaborate tattoos take longer.
Because each layer of tattoo ink must be shattered separately, you need at least five to six treatments to fully remove a tattoo. You should wait about a month and a half to two months between laser tattoo removal sessions to allow your skin to heal and to evaluate your results.
Get started on tattoo removal today by booking a free consultation at Downtown Medspa by phone or online form.
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Trust Your Removery Specialist To Ensure A Safe Healing Process
Our technicians are highly trained and experienced, so you wont need to worry about anything but following their simple instructions. Book a consultation with Removery today to start your removal journey!
Cooper Ferreira has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, and prior to becoming an accomplished laser technician, he worked as an ICU pediatric nurse. Because so many people have tattoo regret, he is passionate about normalising the tattoo removal process. He now works as a regional manager for Removery.
How Long Will You Need To Wait Between Each Session
Since you will need to give the skin in your target area time to recover from your laser session, you will not be able to receive all of your laser treatments during a single week. Instead, we will usually advise you to space out each of your aesthetic treatments.
During your waiting periods, your tattoo may continue to fade and become less noticeable. As a result, spreading out your appointments may allow you to receive fewer laser sessions.
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Which Laser System Is The Best
When it comes to selecting the best laser tattoo removal system for you, the factors that are usually considered are your skin tone and the details about your tattoo. For example, PicoSure is the best match for colorful tattoos with green, teal, and blue, while a traditional Q-Switch laser is ideal for very large and very dark tattoos.
The reason why the appearance of your tattoo matter is because the type of ink used in your tattoo will determine how effective the laser treatment is. Picosecond lasers work better with tattoo pigments that have smaller molecules, whereas Q-Switched lasers work better with tattoos that have darker pigments and larger molecules. Ultimately, we will assess your tattoo and select the best laser system for you during your consultation.
What To Expect With Laser Tattoo Removal
Every individual and their tattoos are different. So each removal is different as well. But in many cases the average persons reaction to tattoo laser treatments may include:
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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.
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A Walkthrough Of The Stages Of Tattoo Removal Healing
The removal session itself takes only a few minutes. Depending on the exact size of the tattoo, removal typically takes just one to five minutesthe amount of time it would take to cover the tattoo with a highlighter, explains Cooper Ferreira, a licensed RN and Removery technician.
Though the treatment is lightning-fast, the tattoo removal recovery process takes a bit longer. You will undergo this recovery process after each removal session.
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Complete Removal Takes Time
PiQo4 technology has drastically improved the time it takes for tattoos to be cleared. However removing a permanent tattoo takes time as your body needs to dispose of destroyed ink and heal. PiQo4 treatment sessions are much shorter than traditional tattoo removal devices as it uses 10 times greater energy.
How Long Should I Wait Between Picosure Tattoo Removal Sessions
I recently got PicoSure in two different places, and was told different things. The 1 place said that I should do them every 6 weeks, and the 2 place said they wont do it again before the 12 weeks, they said many places tell ppl to do it every 6 weeks is just so they will pay more sessions. She said that if I’m in no rush I can wait even more, since my body will have more time to detox and get rid of the ink, can anyone tell me what would be the ideal wait between sessions? Thanks a lot.
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Does The Nhs Pay For Tattoo Removal
The tattoo would have to cause severe emotional distress for the NHS to cover the cost of the treatments. Youd need to provide evidence that the tattoo is directly impacting your quality of life and be willing to undergo a psychological assessment. The NHS rarely covers the cost of tattoo removal, but if approved, youll be placed on a waiting list .
How Long Should I Wait Between Laser Tattoo Removal Treatments
Quick fading or removal can sometimes be accomplished on black tattoos by using low powered treatments every week or two. In general, however, it is best to wait at least 6 weeks between laser tattoo removal treatments. Sometimes it is possible to fade or remove the tattoo with a smaller number of treatments if you are willing to wait 8-12 weeks between treatments, so that your body has a longer opportunity to clear away pigment after laser tattoo removal treatment. You should think of the fading and eventual elimination of your tattoo as a project which you might work on from time to time over the next year or two.
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Laser Tattoo Removal: How Long Does It Take To See Results
Do you have a tattoo that you wish you hadnt gotten? Many people find themselves in this situation. Tattoos are rising in popularity, and so is tattoo regret. Today, one in five people who have a tattoo want to erase it. Fortunately, laser tattoo removal is a safe, proven solution. At Franklin Skin and Laser in Franklin, TN, we would love to help you say goodbye to your unwanted ink. So, how long does it take to see the results of this treatment?
How To Protect Your Skin After A Tattoo Removal Treatment
In a basic sense, a tattoo removal is a form of burning your skin. The post-treatment process usually ends within 4 weeks . After the removal session, you may face itchiness, redness, scabbing, blistering, and so on. Dont make a sad face, mate! Every problem has a solution. Usually, these types of problem come and release within the first 5 10 days. Follow below medications:
First 3 days
At the tattooed are, use germ-free gauze to cover it up. Before covering, make sure you used the ointment for better protection. Change the dressing every day for the first 3 days.
After 3 days
At this time, the tattoo removal area should be protected by a thin cloth. Ensure the place is dry always and not coming in touch with water. Dont do any cleaning if that is unnecessary.
Blisters: Permit blisters to spurt as expected. Once it has burst as expected, treat the tattooed area with cream or lotion for minimum 24 hours.
Inflammation: If you are comfortable enough with the discomfort of redness and swelling, you can smear a fresh wrapping to the tattooed area for calming purposes.
Itching: After applying laser treatment, your skin will get dehydrated. Thus, you will feel itching on your skin. Search for a burn-related ointment in your nearest drug store. The ointment will reduce dehydration of the tattooed area. Ointment that contains vitamin E is preferable.
Pain Medication: Go for Acetaminophen as a pain reducer. Dont choose Ibuprofen because it may increase the chance of bleeding.
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Cleaning Your Tattooed Skin
Before we start, I advise you to clean your tattooed skin. If you own a small tattoo, I recommend you to use your daily face wash to clean. And if it is a big tattoo, take a shower. A shower!? Yes, it will help you to prepare your skin to adjust to the makeup.
- Your tattoo may take 45 days to eliminate fully. Dont try to cover a tattoo that is new and hasnt shed yet.
Healing Time Between Tattoo Removal Sessions
How long between tattoo removal sessions should you wait? Certain people need more time to heal, based on factors like their immune health. Your technician will determine how treatments should be spaced out for optimal results. Removery generally advises having six to eight weeks of downtime between treatments. During this period, your body will continue digesting the ink while the skin also heals from the treatment.
Skin fatigue is an issue that clients occasionally experience, meaning the skin is taking longer than six weeks to heal completely. The bodys ability to efficiently remove the ink also declines with skin fatigue. Skin fatigue can happen from not giving the skin adequate time to heal between sessions, or from using improper settings on the laser. Removerys technicians carefully assess how many weeks each clients skin needs to recover from each treatment completely.
The health of your immune system plays a major role in how efficiently the body can digest and eliminate the ink particles that the laser breaks down. Thus, your overall health can affect the timeline of your recovery process.
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Never Judge A Patient For Their Tattoos
We always suggest starting out the patient consultation with the question, “Which tattoo are you looking to treat today?” This question allows the patient to tell their story about their tattoo and discuss their intentions for coming to you.
Patients that want their tattoo artwork revised fit into two categories:
Selective removal patients are looking to erase a part out of a larger tattoo piece. This is a common request for patients with name tattoos. For example, they like the overall design of their tattoo but dislike that it features an ex-boyfriend’s name. Patients also request selective removal if their tattoo artist botched the artwork in an area or the tattoo extended further than they wished they just want certain parts of the tattoo “cleaned up.” When performing treatments for selective removal, you likely will need precision to only treat the areas of the tattoo that are desired to be removed usually firing the laser at lower repetition rates will help when treating these specific areas.
Generally, selective removal patients want complete removal of the specific areas they want erased, but sometimes they want it faded in preparation for a cover-up tattoo.