Until recently, removing unwanted tattoos required long, invasive excision procedures. Today, it is possible to get easily get rid of a tattoo that is no longer desired. We offer laser tattoo removal at The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery in Celebration, FL. This method is a safe, effective, and non-invasive way to remove tattoos. We’d like to answer some of the most common questions we get about this safe, effective treatment.
How Long Does Laser Tattoo Removal Take?
For a tattoo to be completely removed, it usually takes between six and twelve sessions of laser tattoo removal. Most sessions take place six to eight weeks apart. The process of removing a tattoo completely may take up to a year. Your age, your overall health, the size and depth of the pigments in your tattoo, as well as the age of the tattoo, all influence the length of time it will take to remove the unwanted tattoo.
How long your removal will take also depends on your aesthetic goal. In some cases, you may only need a few sessions if you just want to fade your tattoo. During your initial consultation, we will let you know how long you can expect the tattoo removal process to take. If we don’t know your aesthetic goal, the size, location, and color of your tattoo, and your health history, we can’t make any informed decisions, so your first step is always to come talk to us.
The Health Factor
The healthier you are, the sooner you can experience the final effects of your treatment. This is because your immune system is responsible for carrying away the unwanted pigments after the laser breaks them up. The immune system will ignore the “foreign invader” that is the pigments in your skin if it is busy fighting an active infection. It will, instead, mount and carry out an attack against the bacterium or virus causing your illness.
Furthermore, having a stronger immune system allows the body to eliminate the shattered pigments more rapidly. It is also important to consider that eating nutritiously, drinking alcohol only in moderation, and exercising regularly without going overboard can accelerate your results.
How Long Does a Treatment Session Take?
During your initial consultation, we will also tell you how long your treatment session should take. In addition to the size of the tattoo and the number of colors that need to be removed, several factors determine how long a treatment session lasts. Your tattoo removal session may only take 10 to 15 minutes if it is a small tattoo.
It may take between 20 and 60 minutes to remove a large tattoo with multiple colors. Your sessions will be longer the more colors there are in your unwanted tattoo. The laser frequency must be adjusted in order to destroy the various pigments effectively.
How Does Laser Therapy Work?
Step One
Laser tattoo removal begins with your first treatment session. Lightwave energy is used in this phase to penetrate the outer layers of your skin. The heat from the lightwave energy is absorbed by the ink pigments’ colors. Heat turns the already small pigments into even smaller shards as the colors absorb them.
Step Two
If you want to remove your unwanted tattoo with laser therapy, the first phase is critical. From the moment you got your tattoo, your body has been trying to get rid of it, because your immune system sees it as a hazardous substance. Despite the small size of the pigments injected beneath your skin, your immune system is unable to break them down and eliminate them.
The first phase of the laser tattoo removal process is crucial to ensure the successful removal of unwanted tattoos. In this phase, the pigments that were injected during your tattoo session are broken down.
Laser therapy for tattoo removal includes a second phase that begins during your treatment session but lasts a few days. You have to wait for your immune system to eliminate the pigment particles.
Step Three
Once the second phase of the tattoo removal process has been completed, the third phase begins. In order to destroy more pigments on your skin, you need to come in for a follow-up session. A tattoo can only be removed completely with multiple treatments because the upper layers of pigment protect the underlying layers.
The laser energy heats the pigments in the top layer, which absorbs the laser energy while protecting the pigment beneath. Consequently, the laser energy cannot penetrate deeper into your skin. Laser energy cannot penetrate deeper than the top layer of destroyed pigments until your body removes the top layer.
Once the top layer has been removed, the deeper layers of a tattoo can be removed.
Am I a Good Candidate?
An initial consultation with one of our aesthetic experts is necessary to determine whether you are a good candidate for this treatment. Our initial consultation will include examining the tattoo and discussing your aesthetic goals. During the consultation, we will also go over your medical history in great detail to make sure you are healthy enough to undergo this treatment. Generally, if you’re a reasonably healthy adult with a tattoo that you want to be reduced or eliminated, you’re eligible.
Nevertheless, certain medical conditions make people unsuitable for this treatment. You may not be able to apply this treatment method if you have photosensitivity, for example. If you take a medication that causes photosensitivity, you may need to suspend the medication for a while to be eligible for treatment.
Skin Conditions
You may not be considered a good candidate for this treatment if you have a skin condition other than photosensitivity. In the case of atopic dermatitis or rosacea, we may need to reschedule your appointment if your skin is irritated at the time. If you are able to prevent an eczema outbreak or rosacea flare-up, you can prevent the outbreak or flare-up so you can have the tattoo removed.
Skin Color
Your skin color may affect how many treatment sessions you will need, but it will not prevent you from receiving this treatment. The greater the contrast between the tattoo color and your skin color, the greater the effectiveness of the treatment. If you have fair skin and a dark tattoo, for instance, you may not need a lot of treatments. Additionally, treatment sessions may be shorter.
Preparation
To prepare for laser therapy, there are several steps you must take. Wearing plenty of sunscreen in the weeks before your treatment is one of the most important preparation steps. It is essential to prepare for your appointment because if you have sunburn on the day of your consultation, you will need to reschedule. It is important to use sunscreen that has a broad spectrum and an adequate sun protection factor.
Make sure that you reapply sunscreen on a regular basis. Reapplying sunscreen every four hours is recommended as a general rule. Sunscreen brands vary in their reapplication frequency.
How Else Should I Prepare for My Treatment Session?
You should also make sure that your skin is clean before your appointment. You should shower or bathe before your appointment, and you should not wear any cosmetics, such as makeup, fragrances, creams, ointments, lotions, or oils, in the treatment area.
You should also avoid self-tanner, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and hydroxy acids in the treatment area. It is recommended that you avoid self-tanning products for two weeks prior to your laser therapy session. For 72 hours prior to treatment, you should avoid benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, and acids.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
Depending on the age, size, and color of the tattoo, it can take a year or two to completely remove a tattoo. The treatment sessions are incredibly comfortable and convenient, lasting 10 to 60 minutes depending on the size and number of colors in the tattoo.
There is no need to feel alone if you are thinking about getting rid of a tattoo. A lot of people regret their tattoos and wish to fade certain portions and adjust others. You have the right to do so. Contact The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery in Celebration, FL today to learn more about laser therapy and how it can remove unwanted tattoos.