Laser tattoo removal is the best treatment solution
- Updated July 24, 2022
- by Honey Seida
Not all people with tattoos are happy about them. Some of us may regret having them. If you are tired of your tattoo, we have good news for you! 27% of Australians regret getting a tattoo, of which 15% are considering removal. In Brilliant Skin Australia, by applying proper laser tattoo removal techniques, we can significantly reduce the visibility of your tattoo in any part of your body with minimal side effects. Here we are going to focus on everything about tattoo removal.
Read More: Eyeliner Tattoo Removal
The Best Way for Tattoo Removal
The most effective way to remove a tattoo is using a laser. Laser Tattoo Removal works towards complete removal of tattoos, and each session is held with the aim of removing pigments in the skin.
There are also some methods of tattoo removal that can be tried at home, but since some tattoos may be located on the face, mistakes cannot be easily overlooked. Salabrasion is a painful and invasive at-home treatment that involves the physical exfoliation of the epidermis (the first visible layer of skin) by applying salt to the tattooed area. This method of tattoo removal is very dangerous and old-fashioned and can cause you severe pain and scarring.
Home dermabrasion devices can cause scabbing and scarring when used under improper supervision. These devices work to remove the tattoo by abrading the top layer of the skin. At-home tattoo removal methods such as salabrasion, creams, and dermabrasion devices can all lead to unwanted side effects such as burning, swelling, itching, scaling, discoloration, infection, and permanent scarring.
How Does Q-Switch Laser Tattoo Removal Work?
Q-switch laser treatment causes tattoo pigment particles to fragment/shatter into smaller pieces. These smaller pieces are then removed by the normal body filtration processes.
When performing laser tattoo removal, success depends on four factors:
- The laser must penetrate the dermis to reach the ink
- Laser light must be more highly absorbed by the tattoo pigment than the surrounding tissue. Thus, different colours require different wavelengths.
- Pulse width must be very short, so pigment is heated to fragmentation temperature, before heat can dissipate to the surrounding tissue.
- Sufficient energy must be delivered during each pulse to heat pigment to fragmentation. If energy is too low, pigment will not fragment.
Treatment is accomplished through an application of selective destruction via photo-mechanical principles. To shatter tattoo particles, the energy is absorbed by the ink particles in a very short time (nanoseconds).
Ink particles rise to hundreds of degrees, but heat rapidly collapses into a shock wave which then propagates throughout the dermis causing the ink to fragment. Hence skin is largely unaffected.
The tattooed skin develops frosting or a whitening appearance which is the formation of tiny gas bubbles. This fades within about 20 minutes.
Mild swelling, redness and pin-point bleeding is common and resolves quickly. Occasionally blisters form.
Read more on Q-Switched Laser Tattoo Removal
Laser Tattoo Removal Before and After
In order to experience the best results from your tattoo removal sessions, proper before and aftercare needs to be taken.
Before Laser Tattoo Removal
- Try to take a shower before your session, because water should not be applied to the area where tattoo removal has been done for three days.
- Make sure to take the prescribed medication before tattoo removal (if applicable).
- There should be no make-up in the area where tattoo removal is going to be performed.
Laser Tattoo Removal Aftercare
You should drink a lot of water and not be exposed to the sun. Do not scratch the place where tattoo removal has been performed. It is better to use cooling ointments that reduce blood circulation in that area. Avoid applying makeup on the areas where tattoo removal has been done for a while.
The area where tattoo removal has been performed must be kept clean, and vitamin AD must be used every day. Another ointment that must be used is zinc oxide, which will reduce inflammation and have a regenerative role.
Immediately after treatment, use an ice pack to soothe the treated area. You should also make sure that the laser tattoo treatment area is covered with sunscreen when you are outside. Paying attention to these things can increase the speed and quality of laser tattoo removal results.
Side Effects of Laser Tattoo Removal
The side effects and complications of laser tattoo removal are less than other common methods of tattoo removal such as skin surgery, dermabrasion, or salabrasion; Because laser therapy for tattoo removal selectively targets tattoo pigments and thus has very few side effects. However, you should consider all of the following in your decision to remove a tattoo:
- If the tattoo is not removed by a certified technician, it may cause an infection.
- In some cases, it has been observed that the tattoo is not completely removed.
- In some cases, the skin in the treated area becomes lighter.
- If done by someone who lacks experience, a scar may remain on the skin.
- Transient changes in normal skin pigmentation (PIH) can sometimes be seen post treatment. These changes usually resolve in 6 to 12 months but may sometimes be permanent.
- Transient textural changes are also occasionally noted but often resolve within a few months.
- Blisters can occur post treatment. If a blister or crust forms following treatment, it is imperative that the client does not manipulate this secondary skin change; Early removal of a blister or crust increases the
- chances of developing a scar.
Read More: How to Remove Temporary Tattoos
Eyebrow Tattoo Removal
Removing eyebrow tattoos has become very common nowadays. In fact, eyebrow tattoo removal is more common, faster and easier than removing other tattoos. There are different ways to remove eyebrow tattoos, including laser tattoo removal and using creams. If the removal of tattoos is not done with the right tools and by a specialist however, severe burning and scarring will be the least of your worries.
To find out about before and after care, side effects, etc., read more about eyebrow tattoo removal.
Bottom Line
In the not-so-distant past, tattoos were considered permanent, but today, thanks to advances in laser technology, they can be removed effectively and safely. Q switch laser tattoo removal techniques used in Brilliant Skin Australia require fewer sessions, have fewer side effects, and can remove ink that was impossible to remove in the past.
Is laser tattoo removal painful? | Yes, but a numbing cream is usually applied |
How many tattoo removal sessions? | 7 to 10 |
Laser tattoo removal healing time? | 6 to 8 weeks (about 2 months) |
Tattoo removal while pregnant or breastfeeding? | No |
How long does a laser tattoo removal session take? | Depends on the size of the tattoo. 10 to 30 minutes on average |
FAQs
How many sessions does laser tattoo removal take?
Tattoo removal can take between 7 to 10 sessions depending on the ink, location, time of tattooing, and other factors.
How much should you wait between each tattoo removal session?
There are regular intervals between treatment sessions so that the skin has a chance to heal and clean the tattoo pigments. Usually, there is an interval of 40 to 45 days between each treatment session, each of which will make your tattoo lighter.
Is tattoo removal painful?
Tattoo removal can be painful. To prevent this from happening, local anesthesia in the form of creams or injections is used.
Is laser tattoo removal possible for everyone?
Yes, almost everyone can use this method. Although for those who suffer from immune system problems, and are pregnant or breastfeeding, tattoo removal cannot be performed.
How much does tattoo removal cost?
It depends on how big the area is and how difficult the pigments are to get out.
How does laser remove tattoos?
Laser removes tattoos by breaking down the pigment with a high-frequency light beam. Black tattoo pigment absorbs all laser wavelengths and makes it the simplest to remove.
What is the most effective way for tattoo removal?
Laser tattoo removal is the most effective way to remove tattoos. Most dermatologists consider lasers to be the most successful and cost-effective way to remove tattoos.
Can tattoos be completely removed?
Yes, laser can completely remove the tattoo. However, it may take several laser treatment sessions to achieve this.
Is it easier to remove old or new tattoos?
Older tattoos are usually easier to remove because they usually have faded a bit over time. For this reason, older tattoos usually require fewer sessions to be lasered out than newer tattoos.
What is the hardest tattoo colour to remove?
Different colours respond to different laser wavelengths. Black, blue and dark green are the easiest colours to remove. Yellow, purple, and fluorescent colours are difficult to fade. In many cases, some colours may be removed more effectively than others. For example, blue and black tattoos respond well to laser treatment.
How many sessions does it take to remove a black tattoo with a laser?
Although the number of sessions required for complete tattoo removal cannot be predicted, most patients usually require 6 to 8 sessions. Larger tattoos may require 10 or more treatment sessions.
Can the area be re-tattooed?
Yes, after laser tattoo removal you can re-tattoo the area with no problems.