Laser tattoo removal
Although there are several methods of removing tattoos, tattoo laser removal is one of the most popular, most effective, and least painful ways of removing tattoos. Most other tattoo removal methods are more invasive, more painful, and do not have a high success rate at removing tattoos. They may even lead to permanent scarring. Many people have attempted to remove tattoos through various means only to find that laser removal is the most effective.
Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Lasers are used for several other medical and non-medical purposes. Q-switching is the name for the technique used for tattoo laser removal. The tattoo laser removal method works by using an intense beam of light to lighten or completely remove the tattoo. Laser removal works without harming any healthy cells surrounding the tattoo because the laser is designed to target only ink pigments. Depending on the kind of laser and the treatment, the light is delivered either continuously or in pulses. The ink particles in the tattoo absorb the light from the laser. When the ink particles absorb the light, they are broken up into tiny fragments. These smaller fragments of ink are absorbed into the body’s natural cleansing system. This process can take up to several weeks. If the tattoo has larger ink particles or the ink was injected deeper into the skin multiple treatments may be necessary to completely remove the tattoo.
Tattoo laser removal costs anywhere from $250 to $850 per treatment session. Depending on the size of the tattoo, the kind of ink used, and how deep the ink was injected, a person may need up to ten sessions to completely remove the tattoo. There is not much pain associated with laser tattoo removal. Doctors will allow a non-aspirin pain killer before the procedure. Medications containing aspirin will encourage bruising. The treatment takes about one minute. If multiple treatments are needed they should be at least three weeks apart to give the body time to absorb pigments from the previous treatment.
Treatment after the procedure is similar to the care that was given when the tattoo was first applied. Be careful not to scrub the area. The skin may scab up after a few days. Be careful not to pick at the scab. It should be allowed to heal on its own. There is only a five percent chance of permanent scarring resulting from laser tattoo removal.