Millions of people have, as well as get, tattoos. As cool as tattoos are, there are still tons of individuals who want to get theirs removed. There can be all kinds of reasons for this, such as preparing for an occupation or getting over an ex-spouse. Tattoo removal comes in all kinds of forms. One of the least painful is laser removal. Some of the more popular ones, however, include salabrasion, cryosurgery, and excision.
Common Tattoo Removal Methods
Salabrasion is a process where salt water is applied to the tattoo, an abrasive tool is used to rub against it until the skin is red, antibiotic ointment is administered, and this whole sequence is repeated again three days later. Not only is this the least effective method, but it can be excruciating without anesthetics. Cryosurgery involves the freezing of the skin, which ravages the tissue and makes it easier to remove. This can work, but there’s a very high chance that you can get a scar from it. Excision, or surgical removal, is what you’ve most likely heard from the most; it’s where the tattoo gets cut out of your body. It works, but it can cause both scarring and infections.
How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?
Compared to the other options, laser removal is the newest. Regardless, it’s rising in popularity as the most effective and least painful with topical anesthetics. Laser tattoo removal is all about helping your immune system get rid of your tattoo faster. The ink has been identified by your body as a foreign substance since you first got it, but the large size of the design just results in it slightly fading over the years. What the laser does is further decompose the colors of the ink, making it easier for the immune system to clear away your tattoo. A great detail about this treatment is that the lasers can be adjusted to precisely focus on the tattoo, leaving the rest of your skin alone.
Multiple Sessions
The amount of sessions needed depends on a number of factors, including:
- how complex the tattoo is
- the colors used for the design
- how well done the tattoo was
- the age of the tattoo
Most of the time, you don’t need to wait a while for healing from the treatment. What you could expect to do is rest to heal faster and refrain from exercising and using makeup in the administered area.
Side Effects
Side effects are minor and short-lived, like itchy, red, swelling skin. That usually lasts for one to two days. It also depends on the individual, because the photosensitivity you will get can last somewhere between a few days and a few weeks. Just be sure to apply sunscreen or cover the treated part of your skin when going out on a bright and sunny day. There’s also the rare possibility of getting skin discoloration. Though it’ll go away, it’s still important that you talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
There are multiple ways to remove your tattoo. A lot of them, however, may be too painful, not work as well, or leave lasting side effects. Laser tattoo removal, however, works with your body to clear away the skin design. You wouldn’t have to worry so much about pain since topical anesthetics are used to reduce or completely eliminate it. The side effects aren’t so bad that it will halt your everyday life. The number of times you must return to the doctor during the entire process may vary based on your tattoo but is worth the visits because of how effective the treatment is.