Tattoo Laser Removal-De-Inking the Inked

Few forms of art have been around as long as the tattoo. Almost every culture in history has used tattoos for one purpose or another, from manhood rites to the denotation of tribal status. Tattoos have long been one of the most popular forms of body modification, as well. Today, the tattoo is enjoying a tremendous resurgence in popularity, though it is still looked at askance by some in society.

With the increasing popularity of tattoos, tattoo parlors and artists have also proliferated. It is now easier to get a tattoo than ever before. Numerous people, old and young alike, have found a special design that seems to speak to them and have transformed that design into a tattoo. However, with the increasing ease of getting a tattoo, the number of people dissatisfied with their tattoos has grown, as well. For these people, tattoo laser removal is of great interest.

Any number of reasons exists to consider tattoo laser removal. Perhaps the tattoo did not turn out as well as expected. Perhaps the youthful ideals and sense of fun that prompted the individual to get the tattoo in the first place have paled in the face of the workaday world. Tattoos are wonderful creations, but there are many times when visible ink is not appropriate. Some people certainly find that they have the desire to remove their tattoos at some point in their lives.

Tattoo laser removal is the most common and most effective method of removing tattoos. However, numerous questions must be answered prior to having this procedure performed on any tattoo on your body. What questions must be answered? You'll first need to know what the process involves. You will also need to understand the healing time, the need for repeated sessions and more.

Why Have Your Tattoo Removed with Lasers?

Other forms of tattoo removal often leave behind scars, bits of missed ink and deformations of the skin. However, tattoo laser removal does not do any of this – you'll be ink free thanks to this method. In addition, laser removal procedures are the most effective form of tattoo removal available today. While some changes in skin texture can happen with this technology, scarring is not normal, nor is serious deformation of the skin in the treated area.

Where to Go?

Where can you go if you need tattoo laser removal? Who offers this service? You certainly won't find many tattoo parlors offering removal procedures – it might be considered bad for business. If you find yourself in need of a bit of de-inking, you'll need to find a dermatologist. However, not just any dermatologist will suffice. You will need to find one with experience in removing tattoos. These specialists offer numerous benefits and can help you understand the process behind tattoo laser removal.

How Does It Work?

Obviously, this process relies on advanced technology. Powerful laser light is used to break down the ink pigments within your skin. The particles are then absorbed by your body and excreted through your glands (you'll never see them).

An intense beam of focused light is trained on the tattoo, one small bit at a time. The intense beam of light can produce sensations in your arm, even a bit of pain, though it is not as painful as the tattooing process, itself. Most patients report a stinging or burning sensation where the laser light is concentrated on their body. Some dermatologists will offer an anesthetic cream or topical ointment to help deaden the sensation.

Hearing noises is quite normal – the laser removal machine creates a lot of heat, so quite a few fans are required to keep the machine within operating temperature. These can make a lot of noise. You will also hear some noises as the light does its work within your skin; however, this is nothing to be alarmed about, as your doctor will inform you.

How Long Does It Take?

Tattoo laser removal is an involved, complex process and can take quite some time. However, do not fear that you'll be sitting in the doctor's office for an entire day. The doctor will determine a schedule on which you will come into the office for treatment. Usually, a single treatment lasts no longer than 20 minutes, though some can be as brief as 10 minutes.

Part of the reason multiple sessions will be required is that different wavelengths of light are needed to remove different colors. The same laser light used for black ink will not work with white or green. You can expect at least 8 sessions to remove an average tattoo, though larger ones will require far more sessions. In addition, if you're measuring the length of the total process, it will be measured in months, rather than days – you will not have more than one session per month, except in rare cases. Some doctors require more than a month between removal sessions.

Where Is The Procedure Performed?

You might expect to head to a hospital for tattoo laser removal, but just like other forms of laser surgery, no operating room is needed. You'll have your procedure in an outpatient setting, within a medical clinic, most likely at the dermatologist's office or a nearby medical facility.

Because laser surgery such as this is noninvasive, there is no need for a sterile surgical environment, nor is there any concern that other hospital systems might be required.

What about Afterwards?

Recovery from tattoo laser removal is usually quite fast. However, there are a few things you should know about what to expect after your procedure. You can expect the area treated with laser light to be red and slightly swollen. It may also be painful to the touch. In fact, most patients report that it feels remarkably like sunburn. You can expect the irritation and even the redness to remain present for longer than a week (2 weeks is the norm). If you notice any changes to your skin's texture, this should also improve as the redness subsides.

Do not expose the treated area to long periods of direct sunlight and don't schedule any tanning sessions during the healing period, either. Damage from ultraviolet light (sunburn) can actually cause other problems in the treated area.

Some patients report being somewhat discouraged with the perceived lack of results following one or two treatments. It is important to understand that tattoo laser removal is an ongoing process and the results are cumulative, rather than immediate. You will begin to notice results after several treatments.

Of course, your skin will never be in the same condition it was prior to the tattoo. Laser technology is able to remove the pigmentation, but the texture and even the pigmentation of the area may differ slightly from that of the skin surrounding the portion of your body where the tattoo once was.

Are There Risks Involved?

As with any medical procedure, there are risks involved with tattoo laser removal. The most obvious risk is scarring from the laser light used in the procedure, though this is very rare. The most common side effect is a change in skin texture, though this usually improves with time. Other side effects and risks include pigmentation changes within the skin, the development of cysts on the area and burns from the laser used. Each of these risks is minimal, leaving the process safe for almost anyone who desires to eliminate their ink.

Who Can Have This Procedure?

Tattoo laser removal is a safe procedure for almost anyone. However, there are a few caveats. Your doctor will tell you whether you are a candidate for the procedure, but a few of the things that might keep you out of the process include being a smoker, having unrealistic expectations for the procedure, have medical conditions that affect the skin (lupus and skin cancer, etc), scarring in the tattooed area and fluorescent colors within the tattoo.

Even if you have some of these items (such as being a smoker), you may still be able to find tattoo laser removal to help you return your body to its original state. The best course is to sit down with a doctor and undergo the initial consultation.

How Much Will It Cost?

Of course, the costs involved with the procedure are likely an important consideration. The average cost for tattoo removal with lasers is about $2,500, though this will vary by region and even by practice within the same region. This amount is only that charged by the doctor performing the procedure. If there are any other additional expenses, such as medical facility fees, medical supply fees, anesthesia or medication, it should be factored into the cost of tattoo removal.

Will your insurance cover the cost of removing your tattoos? Actually, since this is an elective procedure, most insurance programs will not cover even a portion of the costs. However, some medical practices are willing to setup payment plans for their patients and funding is available through third-party lenders, as well.