At their best, tattoos are permanent body art that will be a source of great pride and happiness. At their worst they are anxiety inducing reminders of a poor decision. Luckily, getting a tattoo removed is easier than you might think.
In this post, we’ll explore what tattoo removal involves and how you can get it done as quickly and efficiently as possible:
Why tattoos last forever
It’s true that tattoos are a form of permanent body modification. Why is this the case? Tattoos are created by using needles to inject ink into the dermis or the second layer of the skin. Modern tattoo machines can pierce the skin up to 3,000 times a minute. Since the act of tattooing means wounding the skin, the body responds by dispatching special white blood cells to tend to the foreign ink particles. Some blood cells will take the ink particles to the liver, where they will be disposed from the body. Crucially however, many will remain in the dermis, which is why the tattoo will eventually heal and remain visible on the skin.
How are tattoos removed?
Laser tattoo removal has come a long way thanks to the invention of the Q-switched laser. These machines are designed to destroy the ink particles in the dermis. This is achieved by emitting light beams at a high temperature and speed. The extreme temperature change from sudden heat to cool will cause the ink particle to break. Once the ink particles have been shattered, white blood cells will help transport them out of the body.
What does laser tattoo removal feel like (honestly)?
Many people will ultimately avoid getting tattoos removed because it’s a painful procedure. The good news is that as the q-switched lasers become more advanced, it makes tattoo removal faster and more efficient. For you, that means less sessions needed to see results and an overall more comfortable experience.
You will definitely experience some discomfort, but it’s difficulty to say how much as this is highly individual. In broad terms, the pain level can range from a feeling like having a rubber band snapped against your skin to being exposed to splutters of hot oil. Most people will be able to endure it just fine, without any issues. If you’ve already had a tattoo done without being in excruciating pain, then you should be absolutely fine.
Knowledge is power
The most important thing to keep in mind is to speak with your doctor or tattoo specialist prior to treatment. Understanding exactly what’s involved and having a plan in place will take away many of your concerns. Always get laser treatment at registered facilities and by qualified professionals. Also remember to take on board any advice that you are given regarding following through regular sessions and exercising the right after care to help you skin heal faster.
By following these steps, you will be able to get rid of unwanted tattoos and be left with beautiful , healthy skin.