Mistakes are often easily forgiven or forgotten, whereas a tattoo acts as a constant reminder. People sometimes change their mind; some don’t like the tattoo they initially loved anymore, while others are unhappy because their old tattoo shifted or the ink has blurred. For whatever reason, now it is possible to reverse the undesired effect and start with a clean slate!
Compared to earlier days, Tattoo removal has advanced significantly. Thanks to advances in laser technology, the safety and effectiveness of removing tattoos has improved in recent years. Today’s modern laser procedures are capable of removing multicolor tattoos with minimal scarring in often fewer sessions. The laser treatment consists of very accurate, intense light pulses breaking down the pigments deep in the skin, which are then naturally absorbed through the body’s lymphatic system, resulting in the tattoo fading away gradually.
Tattoo removal depends on various factors, such as color and location of the tattoo. Although black pigment is the easiest to remove, red and dark blue pigments also respond well. In the past, green, orange, light blue, and white pigments have been difficult to remove but today’s technology is able to dissolve these colors with time. Tattoos on areas where the skin is thicker, like the abdomen for example, require fewer sessions compared with areas where the skin is thinner like the ankle.
Depending on the size and color of a tattoo, the amount of sessions required can vary immensely, with the average number of treatments required consisting of between 6 and 15 sessions. In order to keep discomfort at a minimum, the therapist will apply a local anesthesia to the tattoo before treatment commences. Some people describe the sensation of the treatment as a rubber band being snapped against their skin.
Each session generally takes only a few minutes with a 6 to 12 week break between appointments in order to allow the treated area to heal sufficiently. Following treatment, some people may experience redness and minimal swelling of the affected area, both of which will subside shortly after the treatment.
Written by Petra Rattue