How Do Lasers Remove Tattoos?

For those in Weeki Wachee, Florida and around the country, unwanted tattoos can be frustrating and troublesome. Some simply grow tired of a tattoo or regret having gotten it in the first place. Some tattoos are embarrassing, offensive, or generally unwanted. Whatever the reason, laser tattoo removal has helped many individuals say goodbye to an unwanted tattoo. Through laser energy, tattoo pigment is broken up and cleaned up by the body's natural system. It usually takes more than one session to completely remove a tattoo, and some tattoos are never completely removed.

The effectiveness of laser tattoo removal is influenced by several factors that should first be discussed with a specialist in the Weeki Wachee area. By going over the factors influencing the effectiveness of the procedure as well as how many sessions may be required, it helps to set reasonable and healthy expectations for the client. The best candidates are those with light skin who have superficially placed tattoos on the arms, legs, chest and buttocks. Those with dark skin or who have tattoos on areas with less body fat such as the fingers and ankles are generally not ideal candidates for removal, although he procedure has helped many who fit this criteria reach their goals.

A thorough discussion with the specialist is strongly encouraged. Other factors to consider are the color and age of the tattoo, as well as the general health of the patient, as this may affect their ability to heal after treatment. For most, several sessions are required to reach optimal results. 

The procedure works by exposing the targeted tattoo to the laser energy, which breaks down the pigment in the skin. This fragments the pigment so that it can be removed by the body's natural processes. Over a few sessions, the color will fade more and more until it is completely removed. Of course, some tattoos may never completely go away, but usually appear very faded. Sessions take only a few minutes, but are spread apart by several weeks depending on the size of the tattoo, as well as its complexity.

The procedure does cause some degree of pain, but this varies from one patient to the next depending on their pain tolerance. Most specialists use some cooling method to reduce discomfort during the procedure. Some may use a local anesthetic, and some may even advise taking Tylenol a few hours prior to the treatment, although this should be discussed with a physician.

Learn more about laser tattoo removal in Weeki Wachee, Florida.

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