What are laser tattoo removal treatments?
Do you have tattoo regret? Or perhaps you aren’t happy with the design or placement of your tattoo. Then you need laser tattoo removal by our expert dermatologist at Pari Skin & Hair Clinic. Laser tattoo removal is a procedure to get rid of the ink of your tattoo to reveal clear, unblemished skin. Lasers are the most popular and effective method to remove a permanent tattoo.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING TREATMENT
During a laser tattoo removal procedure, the practitioner guides a laser over the area of the tattoo. Unlike a laser pointer that produces a continuous beam of light, tattoo removal lasers produce pulses of light energy.
Each pulse of energy penetrates the skin and is absorbed by the tattoo ink. As the tattoo ink particles absorb the energy, they heat up and then shatter into tiny fragments. Then, over the weeks following treatment, the body’s immune system flushes the tattoo ink particles away from the location, lightening the appearance of the tattoo. Each laser treatment breaks down more and more of the tattoo ink until none remains.
Tattoo removal is not an instant fix – it’s usually a several-month commitment for patients. Most tattoos require between 5 and 10 treatments to achieve complete removal, and the treatments must be spaced at least 4-6 weeks apart.
Laser tattoo removal requires multiple treatments because not all of the tattoo ink can be shattered in one treatment session. When a tattoo is applied, the ink is injected at different depths within the dermis. As the laser light is applied to the skin, the shallowest layers of ink in the dermis absorb the energy and shatter, but the deeper layers may not have been affected. Only once the body flushes away the top layers of ink can the deeper layers being treated. In effect, every successive tattoo removal treatment affects deeper and deeper layers of ink until none remains.
Amateur tattoos generally respond more quickly to the procedure as compared to professional tattoos. Professional tattoos are more difficult to remove completely from the skin because the ink tends to be deeper in the skin. Darker colours such as black, blue and purple as well as red ink-based tattoos respond quicker and more effectively to the laser. Greens and yellows can take longer and may require further treatments to produce significant results.
Patients need to wait between treatments because it takes time for the body to flush away the shattered tattoo ink from the location of the tattoo. The process of flushing away the ink involves immune system phagocytic cells gradually moving the ink particles to the lymph nodes, where the pigments remain. Because the body can only flush away the ink at a certain speed, it’s beneficial to wait as long as possible between treatments to see maximum fading from each session. Also, the waiting period allows any scabs or blisters to heal, minimizing the possibility of over-treating the area and causing unwanted side effects.
AFTERCARE FOR YOUR LASER TREATMENT
How should I treat the tattoo after laser?
When you leave our clinic after your treatment, your tattoo will be covered with a soothing gel and a sterile dressing. In some cases, we may simply apply a gel without a dressing. After this, you should; Ice the area as soon as possible after treatment and repeat this several times in the ensuing 48 hours. The more heat you can take out of the area following treatment, the better your tattoo will feel, look and respond in the following days.
After removing the dressing, gently clean the area with water and pat it dry. Do not use soaps on your tattoo whilst ever it is still healing. Apply recommended moisturiser regularly (thrice per day) for at least 48 hours immediately after treatment. This will soothe the area whilst letting it breathe and help to prevent any itchiness.
You will experience some very light scabbing on your tattoo in the days following treatment. These micro scabs are from the fractional laser that we used on your tattoo at the end of your treatment to assist the healing process. These will feel like sandpaper and may remain for up to 2 weeks on areas of low circulation. Do not pick these. Allow them to fall off at their own speed and your skin will be nice and smooth again once they fall off.
You may experience some light oozing from your tattoo in the days after treatment. This is common, especially in the case of large tattoos, and is the result of the swelling trying to escape. This oozing will escape through the tiny holes that the fractional laser has created and will prevent blistering and assist in the healing process. Simply dab dry any oozing and cover it with a bandage if necessary, to protect your clothes.
It is common during the healing process to develop an itching sensation on your tattoo. This is a normal part of the healing process as your body starts to get rid of the ink particles and can also indicate dehydration. If this occurs, try not to scratch the area, apply a moisturising cream, and drink plenty of fluids. In extreme cases, you may apply cream as prescribed by our doctor and/or take oral anti-histamines.
You may apply make-up to the tattoo once any broken skin has healed.
What do I do if I get blisters after my laser treatment?
It is possible that you may experience some blistering after your laser treatment. Do not be alarmed by this. This bodily reaction is a normal part of the healing process and often occurs on very large tattoos or on areas of low circulation, such as fingers and ankles. Blisters are readily treatable and with the right aftercare, will heal perfectly and leave the skin intact.
In the event that blisters form:
Do not puncture them. Continue to apply ice to them for up to 48 hours after treatment. This will reduce and help to prevent any associated discomfort, and in some cases, will enable them to subside (re-absorb) completely.
If the blisters pop (on their own or accidently), apply an antibacterial cream several times a day and cover them with a dressing or bandage. Continue this care until at least 48 hours after the blisters have burst.
If there is any crusting, scabbing or oozing from the blisters:
Do not pick at them or allow the skin to become scraped, as this may result in infection and scarring. Avoid shaving the area until it is completely healed.
Apply an antibacterial cream several times a day and cover it with a dressing or bandage.
Repeat this each day until any crusting, scabbing or oozing is gone.
It is very rare but possible that your tattoo may become infected following blisters. In the rare event that the tattoo looks infected: (i.e. you develop a temperature over 38°C or increasing pain, and/or there is honey coloured oozing or increasing redness running away from the area), contact us immediately.
