Laser Tattoo Removal – the untold artist behind the treatment
Sunday, April 3rd, 2011
laser tattoo removal
No one ever gets a tattoo believing they will later regret the “permanent” marking to their body, nothing to do with Coolsculpting but we’re talking about imprinting tattoo ink, permanently that is. Yet life experiences and maturity often bring about a change in viewpoint.
In fact, it is estimated that half of the people who get tattoos later feel remorse about the decision made in their younger days. Until recent years, the only alternative to living with a tattoo was a costly surgery that typically left a lot of scarring. Today, laser tattoo removal provides a much more appealing alternative without making an incision. Furthermore, each treatment only takes a few minutes and leaves little risk of scarring.
With laser tattoo removal, high intensity light beams are directed to the tattoo causing the ink particles to break into tiny fragments. The pigment of the ink is targeted without damaging normal skin pigmentation. Over the next few weeks, the fragmented pigments are absorbed into the bloodstream.
Okay, first, I don’t have any tattoos at the moment though I have intentions of getting a couple(while sober) but I just need to know, if I decide to get a tattoo removed will it hurt? And will it leave a scar and will the cost of getting the removal depend on the size of the tattoo?
Although there are various traditional options you can use for removing your tattoos, laser tattoo removal is today one of the best options available. This is because using laser to remove tattoos gives better and more satisfying results, at not that high a rate.
With the help of laser, it is possible to completely remove a tattoo without leaving any scars or any tattoo remnants behind. Tattoos are removed using the laser’s high energy light that helps break up the tattoo ink into small particles. These particles gradually get absorbed into the skin over time.
There may be some pain and discomfort during laser tattoo removal. If this is the case, a local anesthetic will be administered to reduce the pain. There may also be some minor side effects like red and tender skin. However you needn’t worry about this as it disappears within a week’s time as the site heals.
What determines the number of sessions
Do not expect your tattoo to get removed in one session. Depending on the size, color, how long you have had the tattoo and the type of ink used, you may have to undergo numerous removal sessions. Of these features, the colors in the tattoo determines how many sessions you actually need to undergo.
This is because different lasers have to be used to remove the various color families used in the tattoo. Sometimes, you may have to undergo 15 to 20 treatments to remove your tattoo, especially if turquoise is used. No laser effectively targets the color. However, on an average, a tattoo is removed between six to twelve treatments which are spread across several months to a few years, allowing for the site to heal between sessions.
Cost
On an average, plan on spending $200 to $500 per laser removal treatment session. The exact rate depends on various factors such as the tattoo type and extent and the expertise and training of the surgeon. Because of the cumulative cost of the treatment sessions, you may spend anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000 for tattoo removal. Many cosmetic surgeons offer payment plans to help you pay for it.
Recommended useful reading about laser tattoo removal
Useful reference here