Truths and Myths About Laser Tattoo Removal
Are you thinking of removing your tattoos and making a fresh start? You can make it a reality with the laser tattoo removal process. It is one of the best removal treatments currently available, but there are many myths floating around about this procedure. Unless you learn to discern which are true and which aren’t, you might end up with dissatisfying results or skin damage. So, let’s look at some of these myths and truths:
Myths and truths about laser tattoo removal
Myth: Laser tattoo removal is completely safe
Truth: It depends on where you get the procedure done. If you get it done by a licensed, experienced, and competent tattoo removal technician, you have no reason to be worried. They will proceed with the tattoo removal only after assessing your skin type, your general health, and the size, age, and colors of the tattoo. And they will make sure that you experience minimum discomfort and after-effects. Additionally, they will use the latest laser technology that will leave no lasting skin damage.
Myth: Laser tattoo removal is equally effective for everyone
Truth: Not necessarily. Generally, it is more different to remove tattoos from dark skin types than from light skin types. If you have dark skin, you will need a longer healing period between the laser tattoo removal sessions. The laser lights can also have an adverse effect on the melanin in your skin and lead to issues of hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation.
Myth: Laser tattoo removal is equally effective for all types of tattoos
Truth: No, it isn’t. The size, density, colors, and location of the tattoo you want to remove can make a considerable difference in how successful or not the removal process will be. If you have a black tattoo, it will probably be easier to remove. However, there are different types of black tattoo inks, and that can again make a difference in the ease of removal.
If you have tattoos in blue or green, you will need lasers with different wavelengths to remove them, and it could still take several sessions to get rid of them. You will have a harder time removing tattoos that are in skin-color, white, or pink inks. And, with them, there is a higher risk of oxidation. That means that instead of fading the tattoo, the laser treatment will darken it. If that happens, you will have to treat the tattoo as a new one and undergo multiple laser tattoo removal sessions to remove it.
Myth: Laser tattoo removal can be extremely painful
Truth: As compared to getting a tattoo, the removal procedure is far less painful. While there is bound to be some amount of discomfort, it is usually of the manageable level. And, if necessary, the technician will numb it down with an application of lidocaine cream or a local anesthetic.
Myth: Laser tattoo removal is quick
Truth: No, it isn’t. Depending on the size and condition of your tattoo, one session of laser tattoo removal treatment can take around 30 minutes, and you may need to undergo several of them. And, in between the sessions, you will need to wait for your skin to heal sufficiently and for your lymphatic system to get rid of the minute ink particles. Depending on how fast you heal and can get rid of the particles, it can take up to six to 12 weeks.
Myth: Laser tattoo removal can cause scarring
Truth: Not if you get it done by a competent tattoo removal specialist and using the latest laser technology. While there was a risk of scarring with the older CO2 laser technology that burnt off the upper epidermal layer, the newer ones are less invasive. They use photothermal beams to break down the tattoo ink pigments and your body’s immune system then flushes out these tiny pigment particles.
While scarring is unlikely to occur with the laser tattoo removal treatment, it is inevitable that you will experience some amount of skin redness, inflammation, bruising, and blistering. In some cases, you could also get a skin infection. It will help to keep the area as clean as possible and shield it from direct exposure to sunlight until the treatment is complete.
