Owing to the fact that dark colors absorb all of the laser wavelengths, they’re easier to eliminate. Lighter shades selectively take in laser light and are hence more difficult to eradicate. Yet, currently there are particular lasers intended to target lighter color ink, so ensure the facility you select provides laser treatment that can successfully target the particular colors of the tattoo ink.

How bad does it hurt?
Based upon the actual sensitivity with the area undergoing treatment, levels of discomfort can vary. Anesthetic such as lidocaine or even numbing lotion may be utilized prior to treatment to make the process more relaxed. Many patients go for an anesthetic injection at the site of treatment prior to the process. The attending physician will advise you what choices are available before treatment to make an informed decision. Aftercare usually consists of the application of anti-bacterial creams & temporary bandaging of the area. It is necessary that the treated area stay clean to battle infection and minimize scabbing.

How long does it take to recover?
Your skin may feel sunburned and hypersensitive for a number of days right after treatment and might remain red-colored for up to twenty days. The actual treated area may or may not scab. In case a scab does form, it should not end up being disturbed because this can bring about permanent skin damage. Intense itching of the lasered area often follows the laser treatment; scratching should be avoided at all costs. Throughout the recovery process, the tattoo will gradually begin to diminish as the ink is assimilated by the body’s immune system. The doctor may advise about the best ways to handle discomfort, avoid infection, skin damage, and speed healing. In most cases, patients who adhere to all after treatment instructions & planned follow up sessions encounter the best results.

How many treatments will I need?
Multiple treatments are needed to entirely remove just about any tattoo. The amount is dependent upon the size of treatment area, the color as well as type of ink used, the actual laser(s) & its configurations and the expertise of the physician or laser operator. The amount of treatment consultations will also depend on the level of the ink. Keep this in mind when estimating the cost of your tattoo removal, as doctors can only estimate the number of treatments you’ll need. Generally speaking, 4-6 weeks between treatments to permit for recovery and assimilation of the fragmented tattoo pigment by the body.

What are the risks?
Although generally recognized as a safe treatment and also the gold standard approach to remove a tattoo, issues of laser tattoo removal range from the possibility of discoloration of the skin including hypopigmentation (white blotches, more common with darker skin) and hyperpigmentation (dark spots) as nicely as textural variations. Very rarely, burns may lead to scarring. Seldom, “paradoxical darkening” of a tattoo may happen, when a treated tattoo results in being darker rather than lighter. This particular seems to happen more often with flesh shades, pink as well as cosmetic make-up tattoos.

Photo credit: Jan Ellerbrock