Laser Tattoo Removal- What You Should Know

Tattoo removal industry is growing at a rapid rate globally. In the recent few years, many tattoo removal treatments have emerged in the market, but laser tattoo removal is still the most effective treatment for permanent tattoo removal, and undoubtedly the most popular choice of people for permanent tattoo removal.

So what is laser tattoo removal or laser surgery, how does it works, what are its side effects, how long it takes to completely remove a tattoo, and what will be the cost of laser tattoo removal? These are the few key questions we are going to answer in this post.

What is laser tattoo removal?

Laser tattoo removal or laser surgery involves removing a tattoo using Q-switched laser that directs high-intensity light to the tattooed skin to break up the ink in the skin. The high-intensity laser beam penetrates the skin to break ink particles which ultimately leads to fading of the tattoo. It is a harmless but painful process and only targets the tattooed skin. All types of tattoos can be removed using this method.

How does laser surgery work?

In this method, first of all, your dermatologist tests your skin’s reaction to the laser beam to determine the most effective energy for treatment. After figuring out the right intensity for your skin, your dermatologist will start removing the tattoo using Q-switched laser.

Most people go through treatment without numbing the tattooed area. However, if you feel pain, numbing ointment can be applied to the area to be treated. Use an ice pack to soothe the treated area immediately following the treatment.

How long laser surgery takes to remove a tattoo and what will be the cost?

To be honest, it requires multiple sessions to completely remove the tattoo, but your tattoo will be removed permanently. The number of sessions required to completely remove the tattoo depends on several factors such as age, skin type, and the size and color of the tattoo. Usually, it takes 6 to 8 sessions to completely erase the tattoo, and after every session, 4 to 6 weeks gap is required for the recovery of the skin for next season. So to get rid of your unwanted tattoo for a lifetime, you have to wait for 8-12 months, but it is worth waiting. And the cost of laser tattoo removal can range anywhere $1000 to $10000.

What are the side effects of laser tattoo removal?

Laser tattoo removal is a harmless treatment. But like any other permanent tattoo removal method, it also has few side effects which usually disappear one week following treatment. Your skin is prone to the infection following treatment. To prevent infection, your dermatologist will give you antibiotic ointment and bandage to apply on the treated skin. Rest when you go outside, you need to cover the treated area to avoid damage. In some cases, the color of the treated area may become slightly darker or paler than the surrounding area.

So these are the few key things you should need to know about laser tattoo removal.