Did you know one in four people who have tattoos want to remove tattoos in the future? Although tattoos are a priceless piece of body art that you may use to express yourself, there may come a time when you want to restore the fresh canvas of your skin. Luckily, laser tattoo removal treatments at
MacMed Spa in Milford, MA can remove even the most challenging of tattoos.
Laser Tattoo Removal: Can You Get Rid of a Tattoo Completely?
To put it simply, yes, the light and heat energy in a laser treatment can completely remove tattoos. Laser tattoo removal can be used on virtually all areas of the body to get rid of old, damaged, or otherwise unwanted tattoos. Let’s explore everything you need to know about this treatment.
How It Works
Laser treatments for tattoo removal work by exposing tattoo pigment to targeted light wavelengths that convert into heat to damage the tattoo. When the light and heat come into contact with the special pigment used for tattoos, the pigment breaks down in the skin and the body eventually gets rid of this pigment through natural biological processes.
This treatment feels remarkably similar to originally getting your tattoo. That said, you can expect your treatment to be comfortable because we use a topical numbing cream and a laser system with cooling technology to keep your skin comfortable for the duration of your treatment.
How Many Treatments Will You Need?
Most of the time, to completely remove a tattoo, you will need at least three to 10 appointments. The number of appointments you require for your tattoo removal will depend on the details of your tattoo. For example, large and colorful tattoos may require more treatments than smaller tattoos or older tattoos. Furthermore, newer tattoos typically require more treatments because the pigment is fresh.
Regardless of how many treatments you will need, we will build a treatment plan that will ensure your skin is restored. Usually, your treatments will be spaced four to eight weeks apart, depending on tattoo placement and skin sensitivity.
What Can You Expect From Treatment?
Usually, your laser treatments take 30 to 60 minutes based on the size and the location of your tattoo. Your preferences may also influence the duration of your treatments. For example, if you have a larger tattoo but you are comfortable using the laser system for an hour, then your treatment appointments will accommodate this preference.
What Should You Do Before Treatment?
Before any laser treatment, it’s a best practice to protect your skin from sunlight to reduce the chances of hyperpigmentation. For two weeks before your treatment, you should apply sunscreen to your unwanted tattoo each day, even if you only plan to be outside for a short period of time. Before your treatment, you should also avoid using any exfoliating product on your skin.
What Should You Do After Treatment?
After your appointment, there are two cardinal rules you must follow. The first is to apply sunscreen for two to four weeks each day to protect your skin from hyperpigmentation and sun damage. Skin exposed to laser energy is very vulnerable to sun exposure for several weeks, so using sunscreen each day can help your results develop as desired and prevent skin damage.
You should also keep your skin moisturized by using gentle, fragrance-free lotions. Products such as Aquaphor, CeraVe, or even tattoo recovery gels or creams are good options to use. The goal is to protect and comfort your skin during your recovery. If you are prescribed an antiseptic or an antibiotic ointment, you should also use this prescription as directed.
What Is Your Recovery Like?
Generally, your recovery after this treatment will be very quick. Although you will need to follow certain aftercare instructions for several days, you will generally be able to return to your normal routine within 24 to 48 hours.
For example, you can go back to work, run errands, and engage in light exercise on the same day as your appointment. You may want to avoid strenuous exercise or activities that cause excessive sweating for at least 48 hours.
How Quickly Will You See Results?
It’s important to keep in mind that the results of laser treatments for tattoo removal are gradual. Ultimately, this means you may not notice significant results until you have had several treatments. This is because it will take time for your body to break down the destroyed tattoo pigment in your skin.
Is This Treatment Right for Your Tattoo?
Many people wonder if laser treatments can remove all types of unwanted tattoos. The good news is that laser treatments are highly customizable and can be used on virtually all types of tattoos. Although we will need to examine your tattoo to determine whether your body art is compatible with laser treatment for tattoo removal, these treatments can usually be used on tattoos such as old new tattoos, damaged tattoos, colorful tattoos, and large and small tattoos.
Why Might You Consider This Treatment?
One of the main reasons people seek tattoo removal is due to tattoo damage. Because some damaged tattoos cannot be corrected, the only way to restore the skin may be with laser treatments. Your regular tattoo artist will let you know whether a damaged tattoo can be fixed with new ink; if not, your best option may be a fresh start. Other reasons to use this treatment include:
Tattoo Regret or Errors
Some people get tattoos and experience tattoo regret. If you got a tattoo while you were inebriated or you simply don’t like the design of the tattoo over time, you may regret getting a tattoo. Tattoo regret is probably one of the biggest motivations for using a laser treatment for tattoo removal.
You may also have a tattoo error. Tattoo errors are common when you have tattoos in other languages, or if the tattoo artist made a mistake on your design. While some tattoo errors can be corrected with fresh ink or even a cover-up, major errors may require total removal of the tattoo to restore the skin or correct the issue.
Lifestyle or Occupation Changes
Sometimes, changes in your lifestyle or occupation may motivate you to remove tattoos. If you have a new job that does not allow visible tattoos, but you have a tattoo in a highly visible location that can’t be adequately hidden by clothing, you may need to remove your tattoo. For example, face and neck tattoos often need to be removed due to occupation changes.
Loss of Sentimental Value
If you got a tattoo for a sentimental reason, then you may experience a loss of sentimental value. Getting tattoos associated with specific people or events in your life is very common. However, if your relationship with these people or memories change, the sentimental significance of the tattoo may also change.
What About Partial Removal?
While many people want to completely remove a tattoo to freshen the canvas of their skin, there are other people who may want to partially remove a tattoo. To partially remove the tattoo, you will need fewer treatments until the ink is just faded enough to be easily covered up by a new tattoo. This is common for many people who want a new or better design on a specific area of the body.
If you want to partially remove a tattoo, you will need to consult with your tattoo artist to determine how faded your tattoo needs to be for your cover-up to look good. A dermatologist will tell you when your skin is healed enough for a new tattoo after partial removal.
Are You a Good Candidate?
Most people who have tattoos are good candidates for laser tattoo removal treatment. However, if you have very sensitive skin, if you are prone to long-term hyperpigmentation, or if you’re prone to keloid scars, laser treatments may not be ideal for you. If you still want to remove a tattoo, you may need to explore other options with a dermatologist and your regular tattoo artist.
Restore the Fresh Canvas of Your Skin
Whether you have tattoo regret or you have a damaged tattoo, there are several reasons you may want to restore the fresh canvas of your skin. Fortunately, laser tattoo removal treatments can completely remove tattoos on virtually all areas of the body. Take advantage of our flexible payment options for your laser tattoo removal treatments today at MacMed Spa in Milford, MA.