Is Tattoo Removal Really Possible?

It has been said that tattoos are a form of art and expression. But what about when you no longer want to be associated with the words or symbols on your skin? This article discusses whether tattoo removal is really possible, what treatments are available, and whether it’s worth trying. For some people, removing their tattoos is an act of liberation from past mistakes while for others it’s just another way to express themselves.

How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

It has been shown that almost 95% of tattoos eventually fade by themselves. This is due to the body’s normal process of skin renewal and degradation. A tattoo works in much the same way as a piercing, with ink particles being deposited into the skin’s dermis layer through a needle or other sharp object designed for this purpose. Where they remain permanently as a carbon transfer. But, there are many different ways to remove tattoos – each with their own difficulties.

Laser removal works by blasting away the ink from your skin using high-powered lasers:

The laser light beam is directed into the tattoo underneath the skin, where tattoo ink which acts as a pigment absorbs light energy and breaks down into smaller fragments and particles. Smaller fragments of tattoo are then metabolised and removed from the body.

Clearance of a full tattoo may take 10-30 treatment sessions, depending on the size and colour density of your tattoo. As with any form of surgery, there is always some risk involved – even when performed by a professional doctor/clinic in a safe environment. You will need to give yourself time to heal before getting another session done; the standard being four weeks between each session. However, you should check your clinics’ policy regarding healing times for their particular laser technology (which can vary).

What to Expect During Laser Tattoo Removal Treatment?

The whole tattoo removal procedure is relatively painless but can be a little uncomfortable at times. For this reason, topical numbing cream will need to be applied prior to the treatment. After the laser surgery is performed you may feel slight discomfort for a couple of days and your skin may appear red or blotchy in appearance but this should resolve within a few weeks if given time.

You can apply compresses or other cold treatments (but avoid taking any strong pain medications) as needed to help alleviate any discomfort that results from the laser tattoo removal procedure.

To make sure you get the best possible result out of your laser tattoo removal experience:

• Make sure all healing times are observed between sessions;
• Keep an eye on how your skin heals after each session;
• Listen to what your doctor/clinic is telling you about taking proper care of yourself before and after the treatment.

What Are The Alternatives?

There are many different ways to get unwanted tattoos removed but not all of them are effective and may require much time, patience and money. Treatments such as surgical procedures (which remove the original ink through cutting into the skin), radiotherapy (where ink is blasted away with radiation) or dermabrasion (which involves sanding down the skin to remove the ink) can be extremely painful, invasive and must be followed by a long recovery period.

Overall laser tattoo removal is a relatively new procedure but it’s gaining acceptance among medical professionals and clinics alike for its effectiveness in removing tattoos with minimal side effects and without leaving permanent scarring on your skin. Eventually all tattoos will fade away anyway thanks to our body’s natural process of renewal – so if you’re looking for options on how to get rid of that unwanted tattoo, then laser treatments are definitely worth considering.

Statistically, almost 95% of tattoos eventually fade away due to the natural process of renewal which takes place within our bodies every 5-7 years. If you’re serious about getting rid of that old unwanted tattoo, then laser treatments are definitely worth considering.