How to Get a Laser Tattoo Removal
Tattoos, once permanent decorations to the skin, can be removed today by lasers. Trained doctors or technicians send short bursts of laser energy into the skin at the tattoo site, breaking up the ink of the tattoo. When the ink breaks up, it slowly dissolves into the skin in microscopic fragments. These fragments are absorbed by the body and flushed out. Finding a good doctor is important, as is understanding the process and cost. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Select a doctor who specializes in dermatology for your tattoo removal. Ask your primary physician for a referral or ask people you know who have had tattoos removed.
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Ask what the chances are of a good tattoo removal. Some inks and skin types make removal more difficult. Tattoohealth.org says that "Individuals with fair skin and superficially placed tattoos on the arms, chest, buttocks or legs are the best candidates. Tattoos on dark skinned individuals, or tattoos on the ankles or fingers, areas where there is less body fat, are the most difficult to treat and results are more variable." New tattoos are also harder to remove than older ones.
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Budget for the procedure. While your tattoo might have cost only $80, it could cost several times that to remove. Cost is determined by the size of the tattoo, the colors used and whether it was applied by a professional or an amateur; this last issue often determines how deep the ink was injected and its stability.
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Plan ahead. Most tattoos take several sessions with the laser to remove. Your skin will be numbed before the procedure and you might need to take non-aspirin pain medication afterward. The area of removal will be tender and might scab. Tattoohealth.org states that sessions usually are spread over four to eight weeks depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo.
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Tips & Warnings
Follow post-procedure instructions exactly for maximum effect and quicker healing. Plan laser sessions for days when you will not be out in the sun or swimming afterward.
Not every tattoo can be fully removed.
References
- Photo Credit tattoohealth.org
