Laser tattoo removal is every impromptu tattoo’s worst nightmare. While those moments of spontaneity may have seemed like a brilliant and fun idea at the time, it’s highly doubtful that the small four-leaf clover on your hip or the small pink dolphin on your back is as cute as you thought when you first got it.
Or, perhaps you have the name of an ex etched on your skin that doesn’t belong there anymore? Whatever the situation may be, laser tattoo removal is one of the best options for those impetuous and unwanted tattoos. To learn more about laser tattoo removal in Nashville, TN, or Brentwood, TN, contact Garza Plastic Surgery today.
What is Laser Tattoo Removal and How Does It Work?
Tattoo removal is a procedure that’s designed to remove permanent ink from the skin. To rid the skin of ink particles, tattoo removal specialists use an ultra-short pulse laser to get the job done. These unique lasers emit immensely hot blasts in short and quick intervals to heat up and break apart the ink particles within the skin.
How well the laser breaks apart these particles is very much dependent on the pigment of the ink used. Since different pigments absorb light at different wavelengths, the laser must be set at the right wavelength for each pigment type to ensure maximum results. Tattoos that feature more than one pigment will need an additional adapter in order to completely break down each particle.
Once the ultra-short pulse lasers break the ink into smaller fragments, the body’s white blood cells will carry them to the liver and flushed out of the body.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Laser tattoo removal is a very effective procedure used to remove old and unwanted tattoos. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this procedure is much more painful than actually receiving the tattoo due to the high levels of heat the laser emits. However, a new treatment called enlighten by Cutera has reduced the levels of pain.
To ensure that the tattoo is completely removed, patients will be required to participate in more than one session. While the size of the tattoo will properly gauge how many sessions are needs, the average amount of a session ranges from six to 12. Laser tattoo specialists also recommend letting the body heal for six weeks in between each session.
Does the Color of My Tattoo Change My Treatment?
As mentioned above, the color of your tattoo plays a very important role in the amount of time that’s needed to completely remove the tattoo and how effective the treatment will be. On average, darker pigments require fewer sessions to break down than lighter pigments do.
While this may sound incorrect, remember that darker pigments–just like dark surfaces–will absorb the most light while lighter pigments reflect more light. Most laser tattoo specialists claim that yellow, purple, and fluorescent pigments are the most difficult to remove.
If you have a tattoo that’s old, faded, or lost its appeal to you and you no longer want it on your body, laser tattoo removal may be the best option for you. Although it’s a lengthy process that involves a bit of pain and discomfort, it’s the single most effective option for optimal tattoo removal results.
