What Do You Really Need To Know About Laser Tattoo Removal?





They say ink is forever, but with developments in laser technology, that isn’t necessarily the case anymore. It doesn’t have to be a beauty look gone wrong. Whatever your story - whether you were madly in love with someone who turned out not to be the one, got a design without much meaning that you no longer like, or simply grew out of something, you no longer have to be stuck with a permanent reminder - you can opt for a laser tattoo removal procedure to get you back to a blank canvas. But before you embark on the procedure what do you need to know?

The Pain Factor Varies

So you’ve probably heard all kinds of stories, ranging from your cousin who said having their little outdated butterfly design didn’t hurt at all, to the friend who told you it was worse than childbirth. The truth is, the amount that a laser removal hurts is based on a range of factors, including the size and design of the tattoo, the location on your body, and of course your own personal pain threshold. Most people find it more discomfort than agony, with many likening the sensation to a rubber band being snapped against your skin quickly and continuously. There is the option to apply a topical anesthetic cream before the procedure, along with taking painkillers before it begins.

How Does It Work?

It’s important to understand how the machine responsible for removing your unwanted skin art works. The machines use ‘Q-switch’ lasers, which use a very precise wavelength pulsed light beam absorbed by the tattoo ink, without harming the rest of your skin. The destroyed ink is flushed out by the body’s own immune system, over the course of several treatments. But laser tattoo removal may take longer depending on many factors, including the color of ink in your design, the placement and the size. Because of the way the ink is broken down and disposed of through the kidneys, it is inadvisable to have more than one tattoo removed at the same time.

How Long Will It Take?

Although this is very hard to predict as it's so individual, around 6-10 sessions are pretty normal to remove the average tattoo. Each treatment takes place around four weeks apart, to allow the body to process the removed ink and the skin to heal up. The sessions themselves are quite quick, lasting from just 30 second to 10 minutes - just enough time to read an article in your favourite magazine.

Caring For Your Skin

Helping your skin to heal after a tattoo removal procedure is hugely important. You can apply aloe vera gel to soothe the skin, along with antibacterial cream to prevent any infections taking hold. It’s also a really good idea to smother the area in a high-factor sunscreen to prevent any damage from UV rays. Try to leave the skin alone as much as possible and avoid touching the area. With a little appropriate care, your tattoo will face gradually over time, and you’ll be left with fresh, smooth looking skin with no unwanted reminders of a memory you wanted to erase.

1 comment

  1. I've heard the horror stories about the pain, lol. I've never gotten a tattoo. I've never been so committed to anything or anyone that I was willing to take that leap, ha.

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