Tattoo Removal Facts
- Lasers vaporize the ink in the skin.
- Typically requires 6-8 sessions for full removal.
- No anesthesia is needed and it's not extremely painful.
The freedom to express ourselves with a tattoo was a gift we had in our youth and many people come to regret this decision later. Tattoo removal has become a very popular and mainstream aesthetic procedure in many dermatologist's and cosmetic surgeon's offices. Today's technology uses lasers which vaporize the pigment from the tattoo leaving it transparent and effectively removed. Black and blue tattoos are the easiest to remove and green and yellow pigments are the hardest.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments needed varies depending on the size of the tattoos and the ink used. Not all tattoo inks are the same, and different colors react differently to the lasers. For most professional tattoos, 6-8 weeks are required while an amateur tattoo needs 4-5 treatments. Each session is quick, typically no more than 20 minutes, but that also depends on the size of the tattoo.
Does tattoo removal hurt?
New lasers have been developed in recent years which use bursts of cool air to minimize the pain, but there is still some discomfort with the procedure. After the treatment, the tattoo may have a white discoloration and the skin around it may be red and slightly swollen. This should clear up quickly and final results can be seen in 6 weeks.
Will my tattoo be completely gone?
This also depends on the ink used and the colors of the tattoo. Often, the tattoo can be completely removed but in some cases, a faint image of the tattoo will remain. Also, some patients have a scar or skin discoloration following the procedures, but this is not common.
Tattoo Removal on The Doctors
