Laser Tattoo Removal Procedure, Benefits, and Risks

Getting a tattoo is an expensive procedure. While some keep them for a lifetime, others choose to get rid of them. They get easily bored with it or are not satisfied with the outcome. And most often, they just realize that it was a mistake. Therefore, they go for a tattoo removal procedure and end up paying huge tattoo removal costs.

There are a plethora of options available to remove the tattoo. Still, the safest and most effective yet quite expensive option available is the laser tattoo removal procedure. Nevertheless, laser tattoo removal costs depend on various circumstances, such as the size of the tattoo, color, and skin type.

Keep in mind that laser tattoo removal isn’t a miracle that happens overnight; instead, it requires multiple treatments that span over several weeks. Moreover, large-sized and colored tattoos may require more dollars, but it’s a safer mode.

Usually, the design doesn’t get entirely unnoticeable, but it usually gets lighter in color and less evident because of color reduction and size reduction. This article will give you all the details regarding laser tattoo removal, its benefits, and risk factors.

What is Laser Tattoo Removal?

Laser tattoo removal is the process that uses high-intensity lasers to penetrate deep into the skin and demolish the tattoo ink particles permanently within the cells. There are various types of laser tattoo removal options available to remove the tattoos depending on the ink color.

The procedure of removing a tattoo is also dependent on the characteristics of the tattoo. Many individuals undergo a series of sessions, which can span to even two months. However, the exact number of the treatment sessions cannot be predicted, still, it requires five to ten sessions, and in some cases, it may take up to twenty sessions.

The session variability usually depends on the color, size, and age of the tattoo. But, with the latest and improved technology in tattoo removal, more and more people have started opting for laser tattoo removal, given the fact that it has reduced the risk of having side effects.

How Does Tattoo Removal Work?

The laser tattoo removal process starts with the breaking of pigment colors with the high-intensity light beam. The black tattoo pigment also absorbs the laser beam light of different wavelengths and makes it most comfortable to remove. However, the other tattoo colors can also be treated by selecting the laser wavelength based upon the pigment.

At first, you are advised to consult a trained tattoo removal professionals who can evaluate the tattoo and conduct a test to check if you are prone to any allergy on the skin. Moreover, the professional will also evaluate the tattoo’s size, type, color intensity, and determine how much sittings you need to treat the tattoo. Once the evaluation is done, the professional will start with the procedure.

  • The individual needs to wear a pair of protective eye shields to protect his eyes from the laser light.
  • General anesthesia is given to the person to avoid any discomfort.
  • After that, a high-intensity laser pulse is passed on the top layer of the skin. This is absorbed deep inside the skin. Slowly, the ink will start breaking and reduce progressively.
  • The laser technicians use a hand-held device to pass the high-intensity pulses of the laser light.

Smaller tattoos usually require fewer pulses, whereas the larger ones will need a maximum intensity pulse to remove the tattoo. In some cases, you may require several sessions of laser treatment to get rid of the tattoo completely. After every visit, the tattoo will progressively get lighter and fader.

Benefits of Laser Tattoo Removal

Laser tattoo removal might be expensive, but it is most effective in getting rid of the tattoo with minimal discomfort. It will help to remove the tattoo entirely from the skin. Other significant benefits of removing the tattoo with laser treatment are as follows:

  • There will be no leftover mark over the skin.
  • The individual will not feel any discomfort.
  • It helps reduce the appearance of the tattoo permanently.
  • This is a non-invasive treatment and doesn’t require any incision and cuts over the skin.
  • The laser penetrates deep inside the skin without any trouble and breaks the ink gradually.
  • Laser tattoo removal marks will gradually disappear after a few sessions.

Associated Risks of Laser Tattoo Removal

If the tattoo is of considerable size, then complete eradication might become difficult, especially for those people who have dark-colored skin. The individual having a colored tattoo may also notice some changes in the skin’s texture and color.

The tattoo removal site is at greater risk of infection, and there are slight changes also observed in the permanent scars. It is unlikely to say that the tattoo will completely disappear because many blue and black tattoos respond better to laser light and may take some time to disappear faster.

Sometimes, the individual also ends up with hypopigmentation. This means that the tattoo area is slightly paler than the skin surrounding it. Moreover, the individual may acquire hyperpigmentation too, which may leave some darker spots on the rest of your skin. Along with this, cosmetic tattoos such as eyeliner, lip liner, eyebrows also get darker after the treatment of laser removal.

Risk Minimization

To reduce the side effect’s risk, it is essential to follow some preventive measures after the treatment—the individual needs to wash the skin appropriately with regular soap. Also, use a petrolatum ointment, which helps heal the treated area at a much faster rate. Make sure to cover the skin with a sterile bandage for approximately one or two weeks after every session of laser tattoo removal. Use an icepack if you feel any irritation over the treated area. If possible, avoid exposure to the sun’s direct heat as it may cause pigmentation issues in the treated area.

Bottom Line

People usually get the tattoo in others’ influence; however, sooner or later, they get irritated and feel discomfort with their tattoos. So, the laser removal tattoo is an ideal option for getting rid of the tattoo. In this article, we have summed up laser tattoo removal and its consequences that help make a better decision about permanently removing the tattoo.