Laser Tattoo Removal – What You Need to Know
Laser tattoo removal is the most effective method health care professionals use to lighten unwanted tattoos. The pulses of laser light shatters the ink into small particles that your body’s immune system naturally clears over time.
After treatment, the skin may appear whitish and feel slightly crusted or swollen. Your doctor or technician might apply an antibacterial ointment to help the area heal and prevent infection.
How It Works
Laser treatments involve the doctor or technician passing pulses of light repeatedly over the tattoo. The ink absorbs the light and breaks down into smaller particles that the immune system can clear away. It takes multiple treatment sessions to fully remove a tattoo.
Most people don’t find laser treatments painful. A doctor can put numbing cream on the skin or give you a shot of numbing medication before a session. They might also do a test patch to see how your skin reacts. They’ll also tell you how to care for your skin after the treatment. Putting an ice pack on the treated skin will help reduce pain and swelling. You can also use an antibiotic ointment to keep the area moist.
You can speed up the process by eating well, getting enough sleep, and staying out of the sun. These steps can help boost your immune system so your macrophages clear up the ink faster.
Pain
The amount of pain a patient feels during laser www.413medicalaesthetics.ca/services/laser-tattoo-removal tattoo removal will vary depending on the size and location of the tattoo. A person’s tolerance for pain also plays a role in how much discomfort is felt during treatment. The numbing cream that’s used during sessions helps reduce the sensations of the procedure.
However, tattoo removal can still cause a significant amount of pain or discomfort in the treated area. In general, this pain feels like tiny pinpricks that escalate to a feeling similar to a rubber band snapping. It’s important for patients to go into their treatments feeling well rested, as stress can increase the intensity of the pain or discomfort they experience.
During the healing process, it’s common for blisters or scabs to appear on the skin after a session. It’s crucial that patients don’t pick at these areas as this can lead to scarring. Instead, they should cover the affected area with petroleum jelly and use an ice pack to distract themselves if it’s itchy.
Recovery
Tattoo removal is a process, and your body will need time to digest and reject the ink particles that the laser breaks down. Depending on the health of your immune system, it can take up to six weeks before you start seeing results. Some clients will experience swelling directly after treatment and throughout most of the first week, which is totally normal.
Some people also experience itching around the tattooed area. The best thing to do is use a thick ointment like Aquaphor or Elta Laser Enzyme Balm and avoid scratching as much as possible. If you need something to help ease the pain, a dose of Tylenol can be helpful. Aside from that, the most important thing is to keep the tattoo clean and apply ointment daily. It’s also a good idea to wear a sunblock with SPF 50+ and protect the tattooed area from the sunlight. It will help if you can also avoid picking at scabs and blisters, which can lead to scarring.
Cost
The number of treatment sessions required to erase an unwanted tattoo can vary based on many factors. Your dermatologist will be able to provide you with an accurate estimate during a consultation.
The type of laser used during laser tattoo removal can also influence the cost of treatments. Older Q-switched laser devices such as the QS ruby, QS nd: YAG, and QS alexandrite were the standard until recently, when picosecond technology made its way into skincare clinics. These advanced systems allow physicians to use a variety of pulse durations (750 picoseconds or 2000 picoseconds) and wavelengths to effectively treat multiple tattoo colors, as well as Fitzpatrick skin types.
Unlike a new tattoo, laser tattoo removal is considered an elective procedure and typically isn’t covered by insurance. For your convenience, we offer a variety of payment options and packages that include multiple treatment sessions for a discounted rate. We will discuss your financing options during a consultation.