Is Laser Tattoo Removal Painful
People who have tattoos removed have reported varying levels of discomfort. Some said that it feels the same as getting a tattoo, while others liken it to the feeling of a rubber band being snapped against your skin.
You may prefer to use some form of anesthesia, such as a topical cream or local injection, depending on the location of the tattoo and your ability to endure pain.
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.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Your immune system needs proper hydration in order to work efficiently, but water can help to speed up the tattoo removal process in a wide variety of ways. It increases your kidney function, allowing them to flush out toxins such as broken-down ink more quickly. It also helps in the production of lymph, which is what carries your white blood cells through the body, allowing them to break down foreign bodies and remove toxins from your blood. In addition, water helps to keep your skin in good condition. Skin, like all the other organs in the body, needs proper hydration in order to keep it functioning at its best. The better condition your skin is in, the more efficiently it will respond to the laser treatment.
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How Long Do You Have To Keep A Tattoo Covered
Generally, you should keep your tattoo covered for about one to three hours. Ondce the artist has finished your tattoo, they will bandage it up before sending you off. When you take your bandage off, be sure to clean it with warm water and antimicrobial soap then pat dry. Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day and leave the new tattoo open for it to heal.
Ask About Anesthetic Creams And Cold Compresses
We make every effort to make the treatment be as tolerable as possible. That includes applying cold compresses, chilled air, or numbing cream to the tattooed area before the procedure begins. As weve mentioned the laser pulse feels like a bad rubber band snap, or even like getting tattooed again.
If you know you may have pain tolerance issues, or if youd just like to ensure that the procedure is easy, ask us about your options for reducing your discomfort.
In Conclusion
Modern laser tattoo removal technology is growing more effective, fast and affordable with time. Its a very viable option for anyone with an unwanted tattoo. If you decide that you want to take that step, contact us.
At youbaby Skin Spa we understand skin. Our experience, knowledgeable staff and superior technology, makes us thechoice for laser tattoo removal in Boulder County, Colorado. Were more than happy to answer any and all questions you might have about the process. Our consultations are always personal and complementary.
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Who Can Benefit From Laser Tattoo Removal
Your healthcare provider will work with you to determine how best to remove your tattoo. In the past, tattoos could be removed by several methods, but many of them left scars. Some people felt that the scar was more unattractive than the tattoo itself.
If you have a tattoo that has been treated with other methods, you may benefit from laser therapy. These treated tattoos may respond well to laser therapy as long as there is not a large amount of scarring.
People who have had laser tattoo removal cite these benefits:
- The procedure can be done on an outpatient basis, with no overnight stay.
- It reduces the risk of scarring and infection.
- Its generally safer than other options.
Try Hard To Manage Expectations
Laser tattoo removal is successful most of the time. There are circumstances that could change that, and sometimes a tattoo cannot be removed entirely. In those cases, it will be faded to something much less visible, but you will have a remaining image on your skin.
Before committing to even the most state-of-the-art tattoo removal, make sure that you have a conversation with your expert. Any professional tattoo removal provider should be able to give you a clear idea of what to expect, help you to feel confident and well-informed before setting off on this journey.
Youll have to know what your likely outcome will be, and then consider whether the procedure is going to work for you. You should also ask to see before and after treatments. Make sure youre seeing before and after photosfrom the expert youre talking to, not from the laser manufacturer or just Google results. The very best and very worst outcomes in the world can be found online, and that wide spectrum of effects wont help you make an informed decision.
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How Long Will It Take To Remove My Tattoo
The duration of the tattoo removal process is a concern for virtually all patients.
Some patients may wish to remove a visible tattoo before an event such as their wedding or enlisting in the military. Its important to establish upfront that tattoo removal is a process that relies on the bodys ability to eliminate ink from the skin.
Its not unusual for the body to take over a year to completely eliminate ink. Setting expectations clearly upfront allows patients to be satisfied throughout the experience rather than feeling as if they were misled.
To allow the skin enough time to heal between treatments and the bodys immune system to flush away ink, we recommend a minimum of six weeks between laser sessions and eight weeks for darker complexions. Stacking the treatments too close together can cause damage and permanent side effects to the skin and doesnt allow the body enough time to remove the ink that was shattered at the most recent session. For ideal results, we recommend waiting three months between treatments.
Ultimately, as a tattoo removal practitioner, you cannot know precisely how many treatments a tattoo will need to be fully removed. However, you should assess the patients tattoo for how easily it should remove.
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What About Home Treatments
Tattoo removal creams and chemical peels are the most widely available and least expensive option. Theres a reason why: Theres no solid evidence that they work.
At best, they might slightly lighten a tattoo, according to anecdotal reports. At worst, they can result in a serious chemical burn .
Due to the high risk of skin irritation and allergic reaction, experts dont recommend using DIY tattoo removal creams to get rid of your tattoo.
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Common Side Effects Of Tattoo Removal
Minor side effects are extremely common post tattoo removal. If you see any of the following side effects, dont be alarmed:
- Scabbing. This is a common part of the bodys healing process after laser tattoo removal.
- Blistering. Its common to see blisters forming after 8 hours. They generally go away within 4 to 6 days with good tattoo removal aftercare.
- Light inflammation. Mild swelling may occur at the removal site, but it should go away within a few days.
If you experience more severe symptoms like serious pain, that may be cause for concern. Speak with your tattoo removal specialist right away if any alarming side effects occur.
Newer Treatments And Future
Today, there are already promising studies and ongoing usage of the next generation of QS lasers, using pulses in the range of picoseconds, which are reported to create even better results in clearing a tattoo. This is attributed to the shortening of the pulse, matching the thermal relaxation time of the tattoo ink better and generating more effective photo-acoustic waves . However, these new machines are currently very costly, and it is too early to tell if they are worthwhile for their improved capacity for clearing tattoo ink. Hence, more studies are needed.
Newer techniques are combinations of already-known modalities, such as pretreating the skin with a fractional CO2 laser or an Erbium:YAG laser and then directly treating the tattoo with a QS laser . Another combination is the fractional QS laser with a QS laser with a full beam . Furthermore, in order to lessen the degree of scattering and to increase the penetration of light, it is possible to use diascopy during the QS laser session. In our experience, this seems to lead to a better effect of clearing deeper pigment. There are also reports on transdermal application of glycerol for the same effect .
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What To Do If You Have Problems
If you have problems with healing, rashes or skin pigmentation changes, contact the clinic where you were treated.
Speak to the person who treated you if you have any complications that need medical attention. If this is not possible, speak to a GP or go to your local A& E department.
Page last reviewed: 18 September 2019 Next review due: 18 September 2022
How Long Does It Take To Heal
The healing process for laser tattoo removal can take anywhere from four to eight weeks. There are, of course, a few variables that could increase or reduce the time it takes to heal.
Proper aftercare is the key to a fast and satisfactory healing process. Following these simple dos and donts will have you on the fast track to your desired beautiful tattoo-free skin.
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Maintain A Healthy Immune System
Caring for tattoos after laser removal means boosting your bodys overall health. In other words, keeping your immune system strong is a vital part of tattoo removal aftercare.
Why? Your laser session is just the first step of the process. Afterward, your body has to work hard to flush out the ink and regenerate new skin. White blood cells rush in to remove the ink that the laser removal process has shattered into tiny particles, flushing them out of the skin. Here are some tips for strengthening your immune system, benefiting your healing and overall health.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water will improve your circulation, bringing lots of those white blood cells to the affected area. This will ramp up both ink removal and skin repair, helping your skin heal as efficiently as possible!
Eat Clean
Eat healthy foods that give your body lots of nutrition. This will give your body the fuel to regenerate healthy skin cells. Eat lots of veggies and choose lean proteins to provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to regenerate.
Make sure youre eating regular meals, too.
Exercise
Proper tattoo removal aftercare will lead to optimal healing. We commend you on your desire to keep your skin and body healthy, and your specialist will support you by answering any questions you have about the healing process.
Laser Tattoo Removal Aftercare Guide
Laser Tattoo Removal is a simple out-patient procedure. However, following aftercare instructions is key to achieve the best result. Carefully follow these laser tattoo removal aftercare instructions to help you to lower the risk of undesired side effects. After receiving a laser removal treatment, our patients can expect to see some blisters, crusts, or scabs beginning to develop between 8 and 72 hours after the treatment. It is very rare for scarring to occur, and often times, it happens due to lack of care between treatments. To ensure that your tattoo removal sessions are moving along quickly, our laser tattoo removal clinic has some aftercare tips that you should take into consideration to best protect and heal your skin.
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Cost Of Laser Tattoo Removal Richmond Hill
Due to numerous factors such as size of tattoo, color of ink, intensity of pigmentation, as well as skin type, there is no set cost. On average, a laser tattoo removal using PicoSure ranges from $100-$700 depending on the tattoo itself. It is best to book a consultation appointment in which a specialist can analyze and give you a better estimate.
What should I expect after my session, and what are the post-care steps?
After any tattoo laser removal, you will notice your skin will be sensitive, irritated, and have a slight burning sensation as this is part of the process. It is important that after your treatment, the area treated on is not exposed to any UV, such as sunlight or tanning beds. If at any time you are exposed, sunscreen with a high SPF should be applied in order to protect that area from getting burned, resulting in an increase in irritation. It is also recommended not to touch, scratch, or use any abrasive products on the area treated as this will disrupt the healing process and prolong it. The only product acceptable to be put on the area is any type of hydrating cream to help the healing process. Here at Vanish Cosmetic, a product will be given to you by the specialist as part of the post-care steps.
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Tip : Be Careful With Your Blisters
Blisters are a positive sign that your skin is starting to heal. However, you should treat them with care and avoid soaking the area in hot tubs or showers.
If your blisters are bursting, thats also normal. Nevertheless, you shouldnt apply high pressure on your blisters as this wont speed up the healing process and will aggravate the irritation.
To relieve discomfort, you can apply an ice pack to the affected area, as well as a calming ointment or aloe vera gel.
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Post Treatment And Post Patch Test
- Keep the Tegaderm bandage in place for as long as possible to reduce friction and chance of scarring, this is a medical-grade bandage that allows heat to escape the skin but protects from external elements
- Do not pick or pop blisters or scabs, doing this can lead to scarring/pigmentation or discolouration
- If the area is bleeding out of the bandage keep the gauze in place and keep replacing the bandage over the top to prevent infection. If you suspect the area is infected, please call the clinic for advice ASAP.
- After 48 hours cleanse the treated area with a mild soap pat the area dry, do not rub the area
- Apply VASELINE to the treated area twice daily for 1 week to keep it well protected
- Keep the area covered to avoid friction especially on areas such as hips, feet etc
- Distal extremities such as the legs, ankles, feet, hands and arms can swell and react more severely. If you find the area has extreme swelling, keep the area raised to allow the fluid build up to drain, especially at night.
- Once the area has healed and the skin is no longer broken, carefully apply Bio Oil twice daily with a light massage until the day before your following treatment. This helps stimulate blood flow to the area and allow for faster removal of the newly broken ink particles.
- If you notice any discolouration of the skin you may require hydrocortisone 1% cream which you can purchase without a prescription from the pharmacy and apply twice daily for two weeks.
Are There Any Promising New Methods On The Horizon
In 2020, the FDA approved a new device that uses rapid pulses of acoustic shock waves to remove tattoos. It will be used as an accessory to laser surgery.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
The old saying think before you ink remains good advice for anyone considering getting a tattoo because body art is more permanent than perhaps you might realize at first. But modern laser surgery methods, when overseen by qualified medical professionals, are safer and better than previous alternatives.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Tattoo Removal: Lasers outshine other methods. Accessed 9/25/2020.
- American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Laser Therapy for Unwanted Tattoos. Accessed 9/25/2020.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Tattoo Removal: Options and Results. Accessed 9/25/2020.
- Adatto M. Laser Tattoo Removal: Benefits and Caveats. Medical Laser Application 2004 19: 175-185.
- Bernstein, EF. Laser treatment of tattoos. Clinics in Dermatology 2006 24:43-55.
- Laumann A. Body art. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, Katz SI et al, editors. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill Medical 2008:Chap 100.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.Policy
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How Does Tattoo Removal Work
Each type of tattoo removal works differently. The goal of tattoo removal is to break down permanent ink particles into smaller particles that your immune system can safely remove from your body. This is how laser tattoo removal and tattoo removal creams function with a lower risk of scarring. Dermabrasion, chemical peels and surgical excision focus on removing skin or layers of skin that have permanent tattoo ink particles. This allows your skin to heal around where a tattoo used to be to make it look like the tattoo was never there in the first place. This usually causes scarring.