Has a tattoo lost its appeal? Does your permanent makeup look less attractive than you imagined? If you’re thinking about removing either, you should know one key fact:
Lasers have largely replaced other tattoo-removal methods.
Thanks to recent advances in laser technology, today’s lasers can:
Get rid of tattoos more safely and effectively
Remove tattoo ink with fewer treatments
Treat ink colors that were once difficult to remove
While the technology has improved, your results still depend almost entirely on the person performing the tattoo removal. This is why the FDA recommends that you consult a dermatologist.
To give you a better understanding of what to expect from laser tattoo removal, you’ll find answers that patients often ask dermatologists about tattoo removal.
There’s actually a lot to consider before removing a tattoo. This includes:
How long you’ve had the tattoo
How deeply the ink penetrates your skin
The colors in your tattoo
Where the tattoo appears on your body
Your health
The medicines you take
If you’ve ever had a raised scar
A consultation can be helpful for you, too. It gives you an opportunity to ask questions. You may want to ask to see before-and-after photos of patients your dermatologist has treated with laser tattoo removal. Seeing these photos can show you what to expect.
For laser tattoo removal to be safe and effective, the person removing the tattoo must consider many things, including your health.
Dermatologists have the medical training needed to consider your health and the health of your skin. They know who can safely have laser tattoo removal.
If you decide to go to a tattoo artist or aesthetician, you won’t have the benefit of this medical training. Side effects are more common when someone lacks medical training.
Some people develop light or dark spots on their skin. These spots tend to disappear within 6 to 12 months.
Other side effects are rare when performed by a dermatologist who uses lasers. When someone lacks medical training, the following side effects are more common:
Scarring
Changes to the skin’s texture
Burns and other wounds
Because tattoo artists and aestheticians often use only one laser, it’s also possible that you’ll still see some of your ink. A single laser cannot remove all ink colors.
When you get a tattoo, the tattoo artist layers the ink. A laser cannot safely break down all the layers in 1 treatment session.
Time between treatments is also necessary for your health. Your skin needs time to heal. After laser tattoo removal, you may see some redness, swelling, and a little blistering.
Your body also needs time to flush out the ink. Yes, your body rather than the laser eliminates the ink. When the laser’s light hits the ink, the light shatters the ink into tiny particles. Your body must flush out these tiny particles.
After each treatment, your tattoo should lighten.
Most people can safely have laser tattoo removal. There are a few exceptions. You need a healthy immune system for laser tattoo removal to work. And, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not be treated.
Laser tattoo removal can feel uncomfortable or painful. To prevent discomfort and pain, a dermatologist can give you a numbing cream or shot.
Yes, you play a key role in the results you see. Doing the following will help you to achieve the best results and reduce your risk of side effects:
Keep all of your appointments for laser tattoo removal. Too often, people stop treatment before they see optimal results. Each treatment removes more ink.
Follow your dermatologist’s instructions for at-home care. You may need to wash the area and apply an antibiotic ointment for a few days. Slathering on moisturizer and covering the area until the skin heals are also important.
Protect your treated skin from the sun for 3 months. The best way to protect your skin is to wear clothing that covers the area. The clothing covering your treated skin must block light completely.
