Many people have made a mistake, at some point in their life, of getting ink that they now regret. If you have a tattoo or multiple tats that you now wish you could erase from your body, here’s the good news — that process can now be completed thanks to the technology of laser tattoo removal. Still, only some people know about it today, and the public should be more aware that this is an available option to mend past mistakes. Whether it’s a butterfly on your lower back or an homage to an ex-lover, there are many reasons why you might want to kick that tattoo to the curb. Here are the most commonly asked questions when it comes to laser tattoo removal — find out everything you need to know below.
How does laser tattoo removal work?
Many people think that removing tattoos via lasers is complicated, but it’s actually not. The laser is used on the tattoo, destroying colored ink with laser light. When tattoo removal laser light is applied to the skin, it heats up, shattering the ink that it reaches first within the skin. The shallowest layers of ink are removed, and then the deeper layers after that. This involves multiple treatments to fully penetrate the entire tattoo depth. After each treatment, the color will be noticeably faded.
How much time does it take to remove a tattoo?
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This time differs for everyone based on a range of factors, including the amount of color in the tattoo, the size, location and the ability of the person’s body to reject the ink. Generally, a minimum of five to eight sessions are required. Some people may see drastic differences within three or four sessions, although bigger, more significant tats may require up to 12 sessions. After each laser treatment, you’ll need a month to six weeks to properly recover. Fortunately, sessions are short and don’t last very long.
Is laser tattoo removal painful?
People generally don’t feel too much discomfort or pain. It’s a lot less painful than getting the actual tattoo. Some procedures are even as short as 30 seconds, and most people who have received them found them to be slightly uncomfortable but tolerable. It feels like a rubber band broken against the skin, according to some people. Plus, technicians usually use a numbing agent or cooling device before, during or after the treatment.
