The first step in tattoo removal is consultation
with a specialist. Some centers offer a free consultation;
others offer a consultation at a reasonable price. During
your consultation, your physician will discuss the procedure
with you, taking into account the size, complexity, depth,
location, and nature of your tattoo; your skin type; and other
factors. Using this information, your physician will give
you an estimate of how much removal will cost, how many treatments
will be necessary, and what results you can realistically
expect. If you paid for this consultation and decide to undergo
the procedure, many centers will apply the cost of your consultation
toward your first treatment.
Before
the procedure, some physicians recommend that you take a non-aspirin
product, such as Tylenol (aspirin and ibuprofen can cause
bruising). The experience of laser removal is most often compared
to that of small drops of popping grease or the snap of a
rubber band. Anesthesia is available at many clinics if desired
(see Does laser tattoo removal
hurt?).
Laser
tattoo removal targets the tattoo pigment with short bursts
of high-intensity light from a laser. There are different
kinds of lasers for different colors of ink (e.g. ruby, alexandrite,
and Nd:Yag lasers). Most of the lasers used are “Q-switched”.
Q-switched lasers produce very short but very intense pulses
of light. The laser penetrates the skin, directly targeting
the tattoo pigment, but sparing surrounding tissue from damage.
Because the pulses of light from a Q-switched laser are so
brief, it takes many pulses to cover the entire area of the
tattoo. Thus, depending on the size of the tattoo, treatment
times can vary from just a few to up to 30 minutes.
After Tattoo Removal
After treatment, your doctor will have specific instructions
for care of the area. You should follow these instructions
closely or you may end up with a scar or pigmentation problem
that you may find more offensive than the tattoo. Immediately
after the procedure, the treated area may feel as if you have
a sun or windburn. It is important to keep the area covered
until it heals. Again, your doctor will have specific instructions
for you to follow. Recovery time is generally minimal (see
How long is the average recovery time?). After your laser
treatment, the real tattoo removal will begin. The laser does
not remove anything; it merely disrupts the tattoo pigment.
Over the next few weeks, your body’s own immune system
will begin to break the pigment down and carry it away, and
the tattoo will fade as a result. Your treatments should be
scheduled weeks or even months apart, since treating the tattoo
too often will do you no good. Schedule a consultation with
a tattoo removal specialist to learn more about the process.
Tattoo Removal Related News & Articles
Photos courtesy of S. Zimmet, MD
