Tattoos are great but all too often, they become markers of certain bad decisions in life. Fortunately for people who want to have some or all of their unwanted body designs removed, there is now a way to vanish what used to be a permanent ink marking on skin. Even more advanced laser tattoo removal techniques are available to help you get rid of your unwanted tattoo with minimal side effects.
Tattoo-removing lasers work by breaking up the color pigments of the tattoo. High-intensity light beam is absorbed by the pigments (different colors absorb different laser wavelengths, with black being the easiest to treat as it absorbs all). Different lasers are used to cure specific pigment colors.
Like the skin being treated, every tattoo is unique, which is why removal techniques must also be tailored to fit each individual case. In the earlier days of tattoo removal, a great deal of trial and error was part of the technique, which left unsightly scars even worse than the original tattoo. Thankfully today, there are safer, more tailor suited treatments that can help make sure a cleaner, removal with less side effects. Patients who have had previously treated tattoos are good candidates for laser removal, as well as those who have tattoos which other techniques, treatments, or home remedies failed to remove. Provided that prior treatments did not cause excessive scarring, these tattoos may respond well to laser removal.
The importance of a reputable clinic cannot be stressed enough if you want the best results after your treatment. Find a certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgery center so you can ensure proper treatment and aftercare. You may obtain recommendations from your family doctor or from family/friends who have had their tattoos removed in the past to make sure that you are working with the best.
The number of visits you will have to make to have your tattoo fully removed will largely depend on its size and the amount of color used on your skin. Smaller tattoos are often removed in just two to four visits, although larger pieces may take significantly more. Make sure that a trained professional is able to evaluate your personal case so they can advise you thoroughly about the process. Remember that laser treatments vary from patient to patient and from tattoo to tattoo. The color of your skin and the depth to which the pigments extend will also affect the choice of technique your specialist may use to best address the tattoo.
