There are a lot of reasons people get tattoos; a tattoo can have deep meaning and memories connected to it, or may just be something the person thought was cool. However, just as there are countless reasons someone may get a tattoo, there are just as many reasons why a person may want to remove it. At MacMed Spa of Milford, MA, we offer tattoo removal to help our patients turn over a new leaf.
How Long Does Tattoo Removal Take?
While there are some factors that can affect how long the appointment takes, most clients can expect each tattoo removal session to last around 20 minutes. Since the size of your tattoo may alter the appointment length somewhat, we’d be happy to give you a personalized estimate when we have more information.
Most clients find that these short, convenient sessions make it fairly easy to schedule their appointments. Life is busy, and having a treatment that only takes about as long as a lunch break can help our clients fit in the treatment they need without disrupting their day too much.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Your Timeline
When we evaluate your tattoo, we’ll be able to customize the treatment plan with you. Some clients are able to have their tattoos removed in as little as three sessions; this may be the case if your tattoo is very small and faded. Other clients may need 10 or more treatments to completely erase their tattoos.
In general, you can expect about one treatment per month. This helps give the body time to dispose of the pigment fragments that are broken up during treatment. Once we better understand your needs and goals, we’d be happy to give you our recommendation of how often you may want to receive treatment. After each treatment, you should be able to enjoy watching your tattoo continue to fade until it is completely removed.
Contributing Factors
Size
There are various factors that help us determine how many sessions your tattoo may need. Size is one of those factors. Larger tattoos may take a little longer to remove, depending on how much skin requires treatment and how much ink was used. While larger amounts of ink may take a few extra sessions to completely break down, laser treatment is still considered quite effective at getting results as quickly as possible.
The good news is, if you happen to have a small tattoo, you may see results sooner than you originally expected. Small tattoos have less ink to break up, and the small size also helps the laser system to thoroughly focus on the entire tattoo each session.
Pigment
We generally find that darker inks are the easiest to remove, as the contrast can help our laser system really focus on the ink. While some other colors may take a few additional treatments, laser removal can still be used for a wide range of tattoo types and styles.
Quality
Tattoos completed by professional, high-quality tattoo artists are often deeply embedded in the skin. To contrast, if you have a tattoo that you either did yourself or received by an amateur, your tattoo removal series could be shortened. The ink from amateur tattoos often doesn’t reach as far down into the skin.
What Is the Treatment Process Like?
The Consultation
A consultation may be a great way for you to get a better understanding of what you could expect from your treatment. Some clients like to write their questions down before their consultation to make sure they remember everything they want to ask. This process can also help us better understand your goals and your needs.
The Treatment
A tattoo removal laser system is able to use a range of light-based wavelengths that can target various pigments. These wavelengths are able to directly reach the pigment through your skin without breaking the skin. The light energy is then absorbed by the tattoo, and it will force the pigment to break into smaller particles. Once this happens, the body can start to dispose of these shattered particles.
By breaking up the tattoo’s pigments, the laser system is able to help drastically speed up the way tattoos naturally fade with time. Cells from the body’s immune system tend to remove tattoo ink gradually, but without help, the process can take many years and be incomplete. Laser treatment helps these cells do their job much faster by making the pigment manageable for them.
Why Should I Pick Laser Tattoo Removal?
Trustworthy Technology
Laser removal may not be the only way you can get rid of tattoos, but it is often considered to be the safest way. While surgery is an option, that requires removing sections of skin. Laser treatment is able to get rid of the tattoo without any skin removal.
It’s also important to note that there are at-home products that may claim to remove tattoos. Some of these products can either be completely ineffective or could actually damage your skin. When it comes to your health, it’s so important to seek out professional care and advice to set yourself up for lasting success and good results.
Reducing Stress
When you’re dealing with an unwanted tattoo, you may find yourself trying to cover it up throughout the day. This could involve concealer, creative jewelry-placing, or only being comfortable in long sleeves.
Removing an unwanted tattoo can help clients feel less stressed since they won’t have to worry about covering it up anymore. This can help clients be more comfortable with a wider range of clothing options. It can also help them feel like they can be more spontaneous.
Taking Pictures
Pictures can be an amazing way to capture special moments and immortalize a memory. However, unwanted tattoos can make some people feel uncomfortable when their picture is taken. Removing unwanted ink can help people feel more confident when their picture is taken and may also help them look back at the pictures and those special memories without being frustrated by their tattoos.
If you are planning an event in the future and you don’t want your tattoo to be a part of it, let us know when your event is. If we have enough time, you may be able to get rid of your tattoo before your big event. However, even if you’re only able to squeeze in a few sessions before the event, it’s possible that starting the process could make it easier for you to cover your tattoo up.
Helping Confidence
Looking into a new career can be challenging and stressful. If having an unwanted tattoo adds to that stress, it may be worth it to look into tattoo removal. Some companies are becoming more open to the presence of tattoos, but there are still many companies that have tattoo restrictions.
This is one reason why removing a tattoo may help a person feel more confident during interviews since they don’t have to wonder whether their tattoo is affecting their chance of landing the job.
Getting Closure
It’s common for close friends or romantic partners to celebrate their bond by getting matching tattoos. These tattoos can sometimes serve as beautiful reminders throughout life, but in other cases, they can become emotionally painful to look at. If the friendship or relationship dissipates, it may leave the person feeling as though they’re trapped in the past every time they look at their old tattoo.
These tattoos, especially if they’re easily visible, may also affect a person’s confidence when they date. They may be worried that they’ll have to answer awkward questions. Sometimes it can be a cathartic experience to remove these tattoos and can help the person feel as though they are moving past the old relationship and painful memories.
Evolving Tastes
Many people find themselves wanting to get more tattoos after they’ve gotten their first. Eventually, you may find yourself with a canvas of tattoos across your skin. Talented tattoo artists can often help tattoos look cohesive and come together for one amazing art piece.
However, sometimes a client may find themselves with a tattoo that awkwardly stands out from the rest. A person’s tastes may evolve with time, and you may find yourself preferring a certain style of tattoo that your old tattoo doesn’t match. Getting rid of unwanted ink can help you clear out a spot for new and improved tattoo art.
We Can Help You Get Started
We know having a tattoo removed is a serious decision, and we’d be happy to talk you through our process and answer your questions. We want you to feel comfortable and confident in your decision. If you’re ready to learn more about this or one of our other cosmetic services, reach out to us at MacMed Spa in Milford, MA, today to learn more!
