10 things you didn’t know about tattoo removal
Did you know that over 20% of people who have tattoos regret getting them? If you’re among them, you’re in luck, because Laser Tattoo Removal can help! In this blog post the team at Wise Med Spa dives deep into ten interesting facts about tattoo removal that you probably didn’t know!
1. Lasers don’t “burn” the tattoo ink out
The process of laser tattoo removal is often misunderstood. Most people think the lasers burn the ink to get rid of it. What actually happens is that different wavelengths of laser light are used to treat different colors of ink in your tattoo. As these light pulses are directed into your skin, it is selectively absorbed by the tattoo ink particles trapped in the dermis of your skin. As these particles absorb the energy, they instantly shatter into tiny fragments. Once the laser has broken the ink into smaller pieces, your body’s immune system works to remove the ink over time, flushing it away from the tattooed area, resulting in the tattoo lightening in appearance. Each treatment breaks down more and more ink until the tattoo can no longer be seen.
2. Black ink is the easiest to remove
The more colors your tattoo has, the harder it is to treat. Red, yellow, purple and orange hues are especially difficult to work with, and they will require more removal sessions than a simple black tattoo. The same is true for tattoo size: the bigger the tattoo, the more treatments you may need for successful removal.
3. Scarring complicates treatment
If the tattoo is raised or feels bumpy, chances are that it’s due to existing scarring. Treatment over scar tissue will take more treatments. Your risk of future scarring from laser tattoo removal will also be higher.
4. Best tattoo remover — there is a difference
Most of us know that the difference between a good tattoo and a poor tattoo is the artist. The same applies for tattoo removal. Treatment effectiveness largely depends on the experience, skill and techniques of the person removing your tattoo. Cue our doctorally prepared Nurse Practitioner, Radhika: Not only is she an expert when it comes to lasers of all kinds, she also has a very thorough understanding of dermatology, and special expertise in working with skin of color.
5. Feels like… snapping rubber bands
Laser Tattoo Removal is a painless experience, as the area is very thoroughly numbed before treatment. However, there are some patients who prefer not to numb, and they report the treatment feeling similar to being snapped with a rubber band.
6. Location, location, location
Did you know the closer the tattoo is to your heart, the easier it is for your body to clear the ink once it’s broken down? The hardest areas to treat are the ankles, feet and hands, whereas the face, chest and upper back tend to be the easiest.
7. You don’t have to remove the whole tattoo
Quite a few patients turn to Wise Med Spa for selective tattoo removal, meaning they’re happy with the overall tattoo but want some parts of it erased. Common reasons include removing a name from the tattoo or cleaning up a part that extends too far or doesn’t look as good as the rest of the tattoo. Often, the tattoo can also be faded partially to make cover-up tattooing easier.
8. One and done? Not quite
During each tattoo removal session, the ink is blasted into tiny particles by our PicoWay laser, after which your body absorbs and naturally flushes the particles from your system. In order to safely remove a tattoo, it needs to be done in sessions. How many sessions is needed depends on several things, such as the size, location and color of the tattoo, as well as your skin type. On average, patients require 8-12 removal sessions, but the full amount can be determined during a complimentary consultation with Radhika, our Nurse Practitioner.
9. Smells like…. burning hair?
Laser tattoo removal normally has no odor, but if you have not shaved the treatment area, you will smell the scent of burning hair during the removal.
10.Smoking slows the process
Smoking constricts blood vessels, which affects their overall function. This suppresses your immune system and slows down the process of flushing the ink particles from your system. Smoking also increases the time it can take for your body to heal.
Have a tattoo you no longer love? Come in for a complimentary consultation! Call 973-658-4019 or use the contact form below to book.
