Do you know that laser tattoo removal is the most commonly performed procedure to remove ink pigments in your skin? Statistics show that nine out of ten people who desire permanent tattoo removal undergo laser treatment. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of different laser beams for tattoo removal. Therefore, it is essential to know the basic details about the aesthetic procedure before you visit a medical spa that offers tattoo removal.
Can My Tattoo Be Completely Removed?
Nowadays, tattoos can be removed partially or completely based on age, skin thickness, and ink depth. Several laser beams are designed to separate the compounds that comprise tattoo inks. Dark and colored inks are more difficult to eliminate due to their deeper penetration in the skin. The laser beam is directed to a particular layer to ensure that a targeted effect occurs. Each subsequent session of laser tattoo removal contributes to progressive attenuation and elimination.
What Should I Do After the Procedure?
After the procedure, proper care is essential to prevent untoward skin reactions. An ice pack is placed over the area to facilitate tissue healing. This technique promotes better blood flow over the affected tissues to hasten growth and regeneration. In turn, this reduces scars, blisters, and keloid formation on the area.
Topical antibiotic ointment is also applied over the area for at least three days to prevent infection. Since the lining becomes thinner upon exposure to laser beams, early antibiotic prophylaxis can impede bacterial growth. Your physician can also apply a clean bandage over the exposed surface for protection against microorganisms, heat, and foreign bodies. A sterile cover is replaced daily after a bath to prevent infection.
How Many Sessions Should I Undergo to Ensure Complete Removal?
Laser tattoo removal often requires at least three sessions to ensure complete pigment disintegration over the area. However, the specific number of sessions still depends on the shape, size, color, and depth of your tattoo. Blue and black tattoos are more easily removed and usually only require two to three sessions of laser treatment.
The location of the tattoo is also a substantial factor to ensure the total removal of pigments. As you move toward the periphery, blood flow is decreased. Thus, tattoos in the arms and legs are more difficult to eliminate due to poor circulation. On the other hand, tattoos below the torso tend to have better blood flow. Hence, they are relatively easier to remove.
The density of the pigment in a specific layer also affects the complexity of the tattoo removal procedure. Dense tattoos usually require four to five sessions before you notice a significant lightening of the affected layer of the skin.
In the end, complete tattoo removal has become prevalent in the United States due to its short duration, safe profile, and long-term effects. Therefore, it is essential to visit a medical spa that offers laser tattoo removal. By doing so, you can gradually eliminate the pigments and lighten the skin discoloration caused by the ink.