How To Avoid Hypopigmentation
- Listen to your laser technician
- Take your time
If somebody pushes, and they still want to have removal, thats when you get into the permanent hypopigmentation, which is not anything that anybody likes, she emphasizes. Its always best to give your skin time to regenerate melanin in the treated area and listen to your removal technician when your skin is ready to be lasered again.
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.
Dont Miss: What Is A Tattoo In The Colon
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.
Recommended Reading: Laser Tattoo Removal Charleston Sc
The Most And Least Painful Spots For Tattoo Removal
Beforelooking at specific body parts, lets review some of the factors that canaffect if a tattoo will be painful or not. Apart from your personal thresholdfor pain, these factors will impact how getting a tattoo feels:
- Skinsensitivity
- Amountof shading
- Experience
These are just a few factors that are worth considering as you decide whether to get your new ink. Its also important to keep in mind that your reaction could change throughout the process depending on whats being done and where its placed.
Now that we have the basics covered, lets get into the specifics of tattoo placements and pain.
So Does Laser Tattoo Removal Hurt
The answer to that question is relative. Like hot sauce, the level of pain depends on your personal pain tolerance. Many clients compare tattoo removal pain to a rubber band snapping on their skin. Given that you have already had the experience of being tattooed, you can probably handle the minimal discomfort. It might be reassuring to know, however, that MEDermis Laser Clinic uses a special numbing technique that is unique to our clinic.
Our priority is to make you as comfortable as possible, so before, during, and after the procedure, the technician will use the Cryo5 chilling device to blow very cold air on the area and numb it. In addition, this technique always preps the surface of the skin for the laser so that you can get the best results with minimal pain.
The overall sensation varies from person to person, but there are a few things weve noticed over the years.
- If you dont experience pain getting a tattoo, you likely wont experience pain in the removal process.
- Women tend to have more tolerable experiences with laser removal and handle the treatments better than men.
- We work with every patient and will stop immediately if they need a break.
With this in mind, its important to remember that tattoo placement will play a huge role in your removal process.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Healing Ointment For Tattoos
Which Tattoo Removal Procedure Is More Painful
Now that we have established that both surgical tattoo removal and laser tattoo removal methods work, its time to compare their pain factors.
Surgical tattoo removal is done under anaesthetic, so you shouldnt feel any pain during the procedure whatsoever. But, having a portion of your skin cut out can result in painful aftermath and a long healing process.
Laser tattoo removal is done in combination with numbing cream, but some people experience the sensations mentioned above that could be perceived as painful. Its instead the aftermath that could be more painful, with potential swelling, blistering and scabbing.
The biggest factor for many people might be that laser tattoo removal requires numerous treatment sessions, each with the same aftermath. If you have a tattoo removed surgically, you only have to deal with the aftermath once.
Does Laser Tattoo Removal Hurt More In Certain Parts Of The Body
Youll find that laser tattoo removal will hurt more in similar places to getting an actual tattoo. Where there is generally more body fat the treatment will hurt less as the flesh seems to cushion most of the pain, which means areas such as the wrist, feet, face, and fingers could make you wince a little more than if your tattoo was on your thigh!
Also Check: Best Tattoo Places In Nyc
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.
Tattoo Removal With Removery
In all, avoiding sun exposure, listening to your laser techs instructions, and taking your time with the process will produce the best results. Theres no need to experience any skin discoloration when in the hands of a capable professional! And most people can easily handle the sensation of laser removal, especially since it only lasts a couple of minutes. Interested in starting the removal process? Book a free consultation with Removery today to discuss your removal options with the leading tattoo removal experts. Curious about tattoo removal on darker skin types or what a laser actually does? Check out 101.3 and 101.2 in the laser tattoo removal 101 series with Carmen Brodie, Removerys V.P. of Clinical Operations to learn more.
Connect with us to start your removal journey
Also Check: Dynamic Color Tattoo Ink Review
Laser Tattoo Removal: The Scientific Research
Prevent choosing at the website of your surgery and also stay clear of exhausting activities that place tension on it. If you do, there may be a threat for infection or various other issues to occur. Make sure not to take part in any activity where you may harm stitches as this could lead to significant discomfort later on in the future if they are left exposed when healing takes place.
Is It More Painful To Get A Tattoo Removed
In order to effectively care for their new tattoos complying with obtaining them done at our studio, customers need to adhere to these actions: To begin with is gentle cleaning which can be done 3x each day without saturating after that they’ll make use of an alcohol-free moisturizer as needed last but not least we advise making use of sunblock so there’s no risk of fading! Is It More Painful To Get A Tattoo Removed
Tattoos: The only downside is that about half of individuals will show some changes in their skin pigmentation. These adverse effects are normally temporary and also resolve within 6-12 months, yet can be permanent!
Is It More Painful To Get A Tattoo Removed
Unlike typical lasers, Q-switched lasers do not trigger the cut skin to go through an unnaturally quick recovery process. As a result, people with slim skin are more probable to mark from these sorts of laser therapies than those that have thicker skins and also can heal quicker. Is It More Painful To Get A Tattoo Removed
Less Like A Syringe More Like A Fountain Pen
People often visualize a modern tattoo artist embedding coloration into the skin using something like a needle and syringe. However, a tattoo needle is more like a fountain pen. When the tip of the tattoo needle is dipped into the ink, it dangles and penetrates the epidermis and dermis of the skin. Capillary action then occurs, settling the ink into the dermis. In other words, a physical process takes place that causes your skin to suck up the ink.
Your Immune System Makes Tattoos Permanent
Notably, the bodys own immune function is what keeps the ink in place forever. The ink is held in place when white blood cells flood the area to defend the area from the penetration of the needle.
Only recent research has proven that tattooing doesnt just produce an exaggerated white blood cell response during the process. Rather, the body mounts an ongoing immune response. Long after the tattooing is over, the body continues to send immune cells to protect the body. This is why the ink is held in place forever.
How Do Lasers Remove Unwanted Tattoos?
While this is happening, the surrounding skin tissues are not affected at all. The state-of-the-art laser we use disintegrates the pigmentation into pieces so small your lymphatic system is able to pick them up and flush them away.
Recommended Reading: Tattoo Numbing Cream 5 Lidocaine
It Might Be Worth Getting A Cover Up Tattoo Instead Of A Full Tattoo Removal
One tattoo removal method that isn’t talked about as much is semi-removali.e. If you don’t want to take your tattoos all the way off, you can simply lighten them enough to get some good cover-up work done. I have a friend who had a bird piece lightened enough to have a tattoo artist ink a lightbulb over the top. I thought it was smart because it meant her new tattoo didn’t have to be heavy-handed.
The Difference In Pain Between Getting A Tattoo And Removing One
Healthline notes that, because the threshold of pain for individuals varies, you can expect reactions to tattoo pain to vary as well. The location and placement of tattoos can also determine the amount of pain one experiences. Areas of the body with the least flesh or fat or places with nerve endings such as the ribcage, armpits, ankles, shins, and even nipples are known to cause a lot of pain. On the flip side, places like the arms and calves are considerably less painful to get a tattoo on. The skill and dexterity of the artist will also play a role in how much pain you experience while getting your tattoo drawn.
The same principles seem to apply to tattoo removals as well, according to LaserAll, which notes that tattoo removal from areas with nerve endings and bony areas of your body are likely to cause more discomfort than other places that have more flesh and fewer nerve endings. With the laser tattoo removal technique, which happens to be the most common way of getting rid of tattoos, the professionalism and deftness of the operator also matters . The faster and more precisely they work, the better .
Ultimately, the body part determines one’s pain. While there are some other DIY tattoo removal hacks and tricks, those usually hurt worse and, in the end, are ineffective. You should absolutely seek professional help for tattoo removal.
Don’t Miss: Can You Get Laser Tattoo Removal While Pregnant
Just How Painful Is Tattoo Removal
Different people have different levels of pain tolerancesome wince just thinking about needles, let alone getting a tattoo. Others are able to grin and bear it, while still others have compared tattoo removal pain to childbirth and wisdom tooth extraction. Some clinics do a patch test first to see how well a person can tolerate the pain.
The location of the tattoo also plays a role in how much it will hurt when removed because of the number ofnociceptors or pain receptors certain body parts have. Removing tattoos in the following areas are therefore likely to hurt more:
- Feet
- Less fatty areas
- Bony areas
The good news is that the process of removing a tattoo, in itself, doesnt last long, with many sessions lasting about half a minute to three minutes, tops. These few minutes of pain are mild in comparison to the hours of pain during tattoo application.
Also, tattoo removal pain doesnt usually last long after it has been inflicted. This means that the pain will have dissipated by the time you leave the clinic. In addition, since laser tattoo removal takes more than one session, especially whenremoving stubborn tattoos, each succeeding session will hurt less because there wont be as much ink to remove.
Ways To Make Tattoo Removal Hurt Less
There are a few ways that clinics are able to make a tattoo removal procedure less painful for you.
Numbing Cream – Though numbing cream doesnt completely eliminate the pain of a tattoo removal procedure, it will certainly minimize the intensity of it. We compiled a list of The 5 Best Tattoo Numbing Creams For A Painless Experience to prepare you for your session, but oftentimes clinics will use prescription numbing agents which will be far more effective against the pain.
Cold Air Machines – If youre nervous about pain, ask your clinic whether they use cold air machines during their procedures. High-quality clinics use this cooling technology as a way to numb your skin prior to your laser procedure. The cold air numbs the skin on contact and tends to last longer than numbing creams on their own.
Cold Compress – Ice packs and cold compresses are an easy way to ease the burning sensation of laser tattoo removal. It should never be applied directly to the skin ensure you wrap the ice pack or compress in a paper towel or a tea towel prior to using it on your wound.
Lidocaine Injections – This option is not offered by all clinics because its required that it is administered by a medical professional. Its a localized anesthetic option that can be quite efficient for larger tattoos. Its no more efficient than cold air machines, and is more invasive.
Read Also: Where Can I Remove My Tattoo
Why Does It Take More Than One Session To Remove A Tattoo With Lasers
Professional tattoo artists apply ink in layers, so it takes more than one session to remove them. Because lasers break the ink pigment into smaller particles, it then takes some time between sessions for your body to flush out the ink. Your skin also needs time to heal, as laser treatments can sometimes cause swelling, blistering, and can temporarily alter the color of your skin.
Laser Tattoo Removal Prices
Fifty percent of individuals attempting to eliminate tattoos with Q-switched lasers will certainly experience a momentary modification in skin coloring. These adjustments are typically settled within 6 to one year, yet unusual instances may be long-term. Is It More Painful To Get A Tattoo Removed
The gold requirement of tattoo removal therapy modality is taken into consideration to be laser tattoo removal making use of numerous separate Q-switched lasers over a number of repeat sees. There are several sorts of Q-switched lasers, and also each is efficient at eliminating a different variety of the color spectrum.Lasers created during or after 2006 give multiple wavelengths as well as can successfully deal with a much more comprehensive series of tattoo pigments than previous private Q-switched lasers.Unfortunately the dye systems utilized to transform the wavelength outcome in substantial power decrease such that using numerous different specific wavelength lasers stays the gold standard. Is It More Painful To Get A Tattoo Removed
Ever wonder what it feels like to have a tattoo removed? Well, some individuals state that the discomfort is even worse than giving birth. They feel their skin being burnt and also might experience permanent modifications in pigmentation of regular components of the skin.
Is It More Painful To Get A Tattoo Removed
Read Also: Can You Get Tattoos With Hiv
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.”
Your Pain Experience Depends On A Few Things
No two peoples pain experience is exactly the same for a few reasons, beginning with your personal pain threshold.
The skill and experience of the person doing the removal can also impact how painful the experience is, which is why having it done by a licensed dermatologist is recommended.
A trained dermatologist can adjust the treatment to your comfort level and give you a numbing cream or injection of a local anesthetic to minimize or prevent pain.
You know how some parts of the body are more painful to tattoo than others? The same goes for tattoo removal.
We asked Dr. Stacy Chimento, board certified Miami dermatologist of Riverchase Dermatology, to explain why.
Touch receptors are distributed unevenly throughout the body, therefore making some areas of the body more sensitive. Different parts of the body also differ in types of touch receptors. Some receptors are more sensitive to pressure, while others respond to low- or high-frequency vibrations, says Chimento. Your fingertips, ribcage area, forehead, ankles, wrists, and around your armpit are some of the places where it may be more painful for laser tattoo removal.
Don’t Miss: Can I Get A Tattoo If I Have Hiv