If you decide you want to get rid of a tattoo, laser tattoo removal may be your best option. Statistics show that about 25 percent of people with one or more tattoos want to get rid of it. Lasers can remove your unwanted tattoo with very little side effects. Lasers target the pigment in the tattoo ink and break it into minuscule fragments that are absorbed by your body and eliminated.
Since lasers target the color, black tattoos are often the easiest to remove because black absorbs all laser wavelengths. However, lasers have been developed to target red, blue and other pigments. Along with color, the depth of the pigment in your skin, the length of time you’ve had the tattoo, and the quality of ink are all factors for our expert to consider.
Some things you should consider before starting laser tattoo removal are:
- Realistic expectations – our expert can help you understand the process and how it will affect your tattoo. In most cases, one treatment is not enough. It may take up to 10 treatments to get the desired results. For safety, the average time between treatments is four to six weeks.
- The tattoo’s location – may make a difference in how fast or slow it fades. Tattoos that are closer to the heart tend to fade faster and tattoos on the legs and feet tend to fade slower. This is because your circulation is better near your heart.
- Amateur versus professional tattoos – usually tattoos applied by an amateur are easier to remove even though the depth of the ink is uneven. Professional tattoos tend to be deeper in the skin and take longer to fade.
During a laser tattoo removal session, you will be given protection for your eyes. Our trained technician will do a small test to see how your skin reacts to the laser and choose the right laser energy for you. The technician uses a handheld tool to pass over your tattoo, sending pulses of intense light through your skin. Only the tattoo pigment will absorb the light. Small tattoos will require fewer pulses of light and larger ones will need more.
Most people opt for a topical anesthesia cream that is applied before the treatment. While it may be slightly uncomfortable, a general anesthesia is not usually requested. Immediately after the treatment, the area may feel like it is slightly sunburned. You can apply an ice compress and we will apply antibiotic cream and a bandage. For the next few weeks until your next treatment, you should generously apply sunscreen to the treated area.
Contact Us
To schedule a consultation with us today, you can call our office at Perfect Skin Center at one of our two locations in Tempe or Scottsdale. Tattoo regret is not something you need to live with for the rest of your life. With a few treatments of laser tattoo removal, there is a good chance you can have clear skin again.
