Are you considering getting a tattoo removed? As you come to this post, you must have checked various methods of tattoo removal and finally decide to choose laser tattoo removal. But before you get start your treatment session, you may need to know 10 crucial facts below that are all about laser tattoo removal.
Is laser tattoo removal safe?
For now laser tattoo removal is regarded as the most effective way to remove a tattoo safely. It can remove almost all tattoo colors with minimal risk of scarring.
There are two types of laser tattoo removal:
A ‘passive’ laser and an ‘active’ laser tattoo removal system. A ‘passive’ laser treatment is pretty much cheaper than ‘active’ one, so don’t be fooled by a beauty salon or tattoo parlor.
What colors can’t be removed by laser tattoo removal?
Laser treatment using a passive laser can’t remove the tattoo completely and will only partially fade it, while for Active Q-Switched laser one, Fluorescent colors, like yellow, purple, green and light blue, are nearly impossible to remove.
What kind of people is not suitable for laser treatment?
It’s not suitable for people prone to scarring problems e.g. keloid scarring.
How many sessions will I undergo? How long will the whole process last?
People should prepare to undergo 5 to 12 laser treatment sessions, in most cases. People will need to wait a month between treatments, so the process is going to last 6-12 months. If people have multiple and complex colors in their tattoo, the process can be even longer, for example, 20 sessions.
Does laser treatment hurt?
Yes, definitely. Look at what Tricia said who was on her sixth session. ?”I don’t know what hell is like, but during my treatments, I would swear that’s where I am. I immediately felt like I was being pelted with hot grease and flicked with rubber bands. It by far is the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life. ”
Does it cause allergic reactions? Do I need any safeguard?
Laser removal leaves little to no scarring, compared with older treatments, but because people should care for the skin like a burn, applying antibiotic ointment and keeping the skin bandaged, it may cause allergic reactions in some people. In some cases, the skin around the tattooed area can become discolored or infected, and it is important to shield this vulnerable skin with sunscreen.
The side effects that you should consider about laser tattoo removal:
The skin around the tattoo will be red and inflamed after every laser session, much like a bad sun burn, which has become the most common side effect that people experience. Keeping the skin clean, dry, and protected is usually all that is needed, and this clears up in a few days. Sometimes, the skin will blister or crust over and in this case, protecting the skin is particularly important because the risk of infection gets higher. The most serious side effects from laser tattoo removal are changes in the color of the skin. In particular hypopigmentation, where the skin becomes lighter than the surrounding skin, is a potential side effect, especially in people with darker skin tones. Hypopigmentation from the laser can take months to years to resolve and, in occasional cases, it can be permanent. You will definitely want to discuss the risk of hypopigmentation with your dermatologist before making a determination.
