Dont Live With The Regret Any Longer
Theres no reason to live with the regret and embarrassment of an unwanted tattoo any longer. Quit wearing concealing outfits or having to fake-laugh your way through that same embarrassing story every time you put on your swimsuit. We all do things that we regret in life unfortunately, some of those regrets are just more permanentand visiblethan others. Thankfully, if that mistake is an unwanted tattoo, laser treatment offers a solution.
If youre tired of shuddering every time you think about someone seeing that embarrassing old tattoo from a different life if youre tired off trying to laugh off that same story of regret you wish you could just forget if you no longer want to have that permanent reminder of the past, then contact us today at Bentley Skincare & Wellness in Springfield, MO, and well get you started down the path to a new you!
How To Take Care Of The Skin After The Tattoo Removal Process
The first 24 hours after the process is crucial for better skin healing. The healing process may be enhanced by following the steps below
- Apply a cold compress to help reduce the inflammation or discomfort that may likely occur.
- Avoid physical activities and taking a hot shower during the first 36 hours.
- Avoid using any type of makeup for 48 hours after undergoing the removal process.
- Avoid using any non-prescribed medication or cream on the treated spot for the first 24 hours.
- Apply ointment, such as antibacterial cream or Neosporin on the treated spot for at least three days.
- The dressing may need to be changed every day on the treated skin.
- For at least two weeks, limit exposure to the sun, pool water, hot tubs and saltwater.
What Does Tattoo Removal Cost
The cost varies. It depends on the person offering the service a fashionable health clinic in Beverly Hills is going to cost more, obviously.
But it also depends on your tattoo.
The more sessions you need, the more it will cost. Generally, its in-line with the cost of getting the tattoo in the first place. For example, a tiny black outline of a heart on your thumb didnt cost much to get inked, and it wont cost much to get removed, as theres just one color and its a tiny design.
On the other hand, a large sleeve with every color of the rainbow will take much longer to remove, utilizing many sessions and various wavelengths to effectively remove all of it.
In general, a tattoo removal session costs between $500 and $1000. You could need one or two sessions, but the largest and most colorful tattoos can take up to 20. So, your max spend should be around $20,000.
You can read more about tattoo removal costs, as well as who should and who shouldnt get laser tattoo remove, in this guide.
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Factors Contributing To The Success Of Laser Tattoo Removal
There are a number of factors that determine how many treatments will be needed and the level of success one might experience. Age of tattoo, ink density, color and even where the tattoo is located on the body, and whether the tattoo was professional, or not, all play an important role in how many treatments will be needed for complete removal. However, a rarely recognized factor of tattoo removal is the role of the clients immune response. The normal process of tattoo removal is fragmentation followed by phagocytosis which is then drained away via the lymphatics. Consequently, it is the inflammation resulting from the actual laser treatment and the natural stimulation of the hosts immune response that ultimately results in removal of tattoo ink thus variations in results are enormous.
How To Buy A Laser Tattoo Removal Machine
Here is your check list of things to consider when you look to buy a laser tattoo removal machine:
- Its been tested and approved by the FDA,
- It has real reviews from customers whove used it,
- It is made from removing tattoos, not other cosmetic purposes,
- Has a high level of energy ,
- Has an appropriate spot size the right size for your tattoo.
Youll also want to look for the standard things you should always look for a reputable seller, a decent returns policy, product warranty, etc.
All laser tattoo removal machines boil down to two types:
Q-switched Nd: YAG lasers the older type, but still effective. They often have limited wavelengths, so check that it has the right settings for your tattoo colors.
Picosecond lasers the modern type thats generally more powerful and effective than Q-switched but of course, that also makes them way more expensive.
And finally, the cost. We know thats going to be the biggest buying factor for you. Our list of the best laser tattoo removal machines shows that they can range anywhere from $100 to $100,000.
Most tattoo laser machines are made for repeated use in clinics, which is why they cost so much. But youll only be using it for a handful of sessions. Thats why it can often work out cheaper to book sessions with a professional tattoo remover.
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How Do Lasers Get Rid Of A Tattoo
In order to understand exactly how lasers are used to fade away those embarrassing tattoos from a previous life, we first need to take a moment to talk about what a tattoo is and how it leaves a permanent mark in the skin.
Archaeological evidence shows that tattooing has been a part of human cultures going back thousands of years. While the methods may have changed to incorporate high-tech electronic tools, the essence of tattooing has remained largely the same: using some sort of needle or other implement to implant pigmentation permanently into the skin.
More Like a Fountain Pen Than a Syringe
While many people envision a modern tattoo artist using something akin to a needle and syringe to inject tattoo pigmentation in the skin, in fact, a tattoo needle is more similar to a fountain pen. The tattoo artist dips the tip of the tattoo needle into the ink, which then dangles from the tip as the needle is used to pierce the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin. A physical process known as capillary action then settles the ink into the dermis, meaning your skin actually sucks up the ink.
Lasers Break Up the Pigmentation
So how do lasers clear up unwanted tattoos? First, the process utilizes a specially designed laser that targets the ink but leaves the skin unphased. As the laser passes over the tattoo, it penetrates the skin, finding and fracturing the tattoos pigmentation. All the while, the laser has no effect on the surrounding skin.
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.”
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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
Applying Aloe Vera Doesnt Work At All
Many people swear on aloe vera for natural tattoo removal. It is often mixed with yogurt and applied to the tattooed area daily, until the tattoo starts fading away. And even though painless and significantly less dangerous than sandpaper, there is simply no proof this works.
Aloe vera has been used and still is, for a natural treatment for dry skin or skin rashes. And in such cases, it significantly reduces inflammation and calms the skin down. Other than that, there is no research nor proof that aloe vera alone or mixed with other components can contribute to tattoo fading or removal.
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Why Tattoos Are Permanent
The same biology that allows tattoos to stay on your skin indefinitely also explains why theyre so cumbersome to remove, even with modern laser technology.
When a tattoo needle punctures the skin, it rips through the epidermis , and spills ink into the dermis which is flooded with blood vessels and nerves. As a tattoo gun pushes a needle into the skin up to 150 times per second, it activates pain receptors while delivering a tiny amount of ink into the dermis. The immune system, sensing a wound that lets in foreign invaders, is instantly primed, which sends immune cells called macrophages to clean up the mess.
True to their name, which means big eater in Greek, the macrophages flock to the site of injury, devour the ink and remain suspended in the dermis. After they die, the macrophages pass the ink to their replacements. It is this successive cycle of capture-release-capture that keeps tattoos from vanishing rather than stains to skin cells, wrote French researchers in a study published in theJournal of Experimental Medicine. You wouldnt be wrong in saying that a tattoo is a permanent infection. Just dont use this line on a first date.
Laser Tattoo Removal Before And After: Ultimate Guide 2022
Whether that tattoo just doesnt look great anymore, or it brings up bad memories, getting it removed will be on your mind. And theres nothing wrong with that. You should feel happy with your body whether that means adding tattoos or removing them.
So, how exactly do you go about getting tattoo removal? Well, weve created this guide so you can find out. From legitimate tattoo removal methods to common questions and concerns.
Lets cut to the chase, starting with the most popular way to remove a tattoo: laser tattoo removal.
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How Soon You Can Get Laser Removal After Getting A Tattoo
Most people do not want their tattoos removed until at least a few years after getting them, but in rare cases some want them removed right away, most likely because the tattoo did not turn out the way they expected. Although the wait can be painful, it is important that your tattoo completely heals before you start the laser tattoo removal sessions. Most laser tattoo removal places will recommend waiting at least six weeks before starting treatments. There may be many unwanted side effects when a tattoo is removed too early.
One side effect that is likely to occur is blistering of the skin. This happens because if the tattoo is not fully healed, there are still ink particles sitting in the top layer of the skin, which causes blisters to form.
You are also more likely to be left with scars if the tattoo is not completely healed before starting laser tattoo removal. If the tattoo is not fully healed and the laser hits it, it is the same thing as repeatedly picking a healing scab, which always leaves scars.
Tattoos that are not fully healed also take a longer time to remove. The tattoo will take longer to fade since the ink is fresh in the skin.
For the best results, it is recommended to wait at least six weeks after getting a new tattoo to begin the laser tattoo removal process. If you are willing to wait longer than six weeks, that would give even better results because it will give the tattoo more time to heal.
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What Is Laser Tattoo Removal
Tattoo removal erasesor at least significantly fadesan unwanted tattoo. There are many available tattoo removal methods, but providers who specialize in professional tattoo removal generally agree that laser tattoo removal, like the YAG laser, is the safest, most reliable method.
Lasers deliver high-intensity energy to penetrate the epidermis and break up the tattoo pigment into smaller particles, which the body then metabolizes and excretes.
Tattoo removal is becoming increasingly common. A 2019 Ipsos poll showed that 30% of Americans have at least one tattoo, compared to 21% in 2012. Tattoo regret is also on the rise: A 2015 Harris survey showed that 23% of people with tattoos wish they could erase at least some of their ink, compared to just 14% in 2012.
Many patients regret having a tattoo in their youth that doesnt represent their sense of self as they get older, says Dr. Michele Green, a dermatologist in New York City. Fortunately, New laser technology and techniques have improved the removal process and its results.
Most doctors on RealSelf recommend that you wait at least six weeks after getting a tattoo before trying to get it removed.
Interested in tattoo removal?
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Tattoo Removal Through Injections
Using non-laser “injections” to remove tattoos is not just less efficient this method is also painful and potentially dangerous. Injectable tattoo removal procedures somewhat mimic tattooing. Instead of injecting ink into the skin, the practitioner typically numbs the area with lidocaine cream and injects a liquid/gel formula with a tattoo needle. This proprietary formula usually promises to “lift” the tattoo ink from the dermis layer of the skin. In the days following the procedure, the tattoo will scab over. Then, the patient waits for the scab to fall off, hopefully revealing a faded tattoo underneath.
These injectable methods often claim to remove tattoos in 4 treatments or less, lasting 30 to 45 minutes per session. Each session costs approximately $100 depending on the size of the tattoo. Common main ingredients in these injectable solutions include seas salt, water, aloe vera, lidocaine hydrochloride , hydroxyethylcellulose , and small levels of essential oils and “organic extracts.” We’ve also seen formulas with zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, isopropanol, triethanolamine, and benzoic acid.
In all the cases we’ve seen, patients’ skin was raised and thickened. Unfortunately, this procedure causes scar tissue formation in the dermis near the remaining ink, making it even harder to remove it in the future.
Laser Tattoo Removal Is A Great Option For A Variety Of Needs
When you want a tattoo removed, its natural to be curious about home tattoo removal and non-laser tattoo removal. Whether youre apprehensive about going to a clinic or dont feel you can afford laser tattoo removal, you probably hope that theres an alternative that can get the job done safely and effectively.
Remember, tattoos can only be removed by pushing the ink out through the surface of the skin or by breaking it up into small enough particles so the body can flush it out of the system. Unfortunately, other tattoo removal methods are rarely effective at doing this. Although it needs to take place in a professional clinic setting and certainly involves some costs, laser tattoo removal performed by a trained professional is the safest and most effective way to completely remove an unwanted tattoo.
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Tattoo Removal Aftercare Tips
Although laser tattoo removal is non-invasive, there are sometimes side effects. Redness, swelling, and discomfort are pretty common but you may also have some light scabs or blisters that form.
Thankfully, scarring from laser tattoo removal is almost unheard of nowadays. Laser technology has evolved a lot, so you dont need to worry about any permanent scars once the tattoo is removed. If you are concerned about scarring at all, check with the clinic or professional doing the tattoo removal. Find out what laser they use and do some research if its a modern laser, you have nothing to worry about.
Once your tattoo removal session is over, you can follow these steps for aftercare.
- Days 1 to 3 keep the area sterilized with antibiotic ointments and covered with medical gauze.
- Days 3 to 7 remove the gauze and keep the area clean and dry. Dont soak the area instead gently dampen it and clean with mild soap. Pat dry.
- Days 7+ continue to keep the area clean and dry. Dont soak it in water until it has completely healed. Ointments with vitamin E can help the healing process.
Throughout the healing process, you shouldnt expose the area to the sun. UV rays are not good for your skin as it heals. So, cover up the area with gauze and bandages when you go outside, and once youve passed the first week, you can apply sunscreen protection instead.
Once your skin has healed completely, its time for another session under the laser.
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.
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