Individuals in the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania area or in other parts of the country who have a tattoo they want removed should look into laser tattoo removal. A consultation with a local specialist is recommended, but even prior to that it often helps to get a little bit of an understanding for the process and how it works. Laser tattoo removal is a procedure that many have heard of, but few actually understand. Does it hurt? Is it possible to remove any tattoo? How long will it take? Do I need more than one session? These are common questions that individuals should look to have answered before the treatment.
To answer the first question, yes, laser tattoo removal hurts. The severity of the pain it causes, though, varies from one individual to the next. Some feel greater pain than others, and laser tattoo removal will affect each patient differently. A laser is directed towards the skin to target tattoo pigment. The laser's energy will break up the tattoo pigment, fragmenting it. The fragmented pigment will pass through the patient's body's natural processes and is removed. Each sessions takes only a few minutes, but several sessions may be required to achieve complete removal.
On that note, the number of sessions and success of the procedure will vary depending on several factors including the tattoo's age, location, size, color, and even its application. Newer tattoos are generally harder to remove, as are tattoos that are located on the ankles, fingers and other areas with less body fat. Tattoos on darker skin are often more difficult to remove, too. It's important that patients go through a consultation with a tattoo removal specialist to hammer out the details and determine potential success rates for the procedure based on the particular tattoo they want to have removed.
After the procedure, ice is usually placed on the treatment area and a topical antibiotic Is generally placed on the tattoo after about half an hour. A sterile dressing is used to cover it, and the patient is generally advised to keep the area dry for the next few days. Many recommend caring for the tattoo like they would a sunburn in the days after the procedure. Possible side effects should be discussed with a Bethlehem tattoo removal specialist, but may include hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation, as well as infection and permanent scarring, although these are rare.
Learn more about laser tattoo removal in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
