Whether you’ve grown tired of a tattoo you got years ago or last week, you’re not destined to live with it forever. There is an effective treatment that can remove your tattoo, and you can find it here at Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center in Cincinnati, OH. We use a Q Switched Nd:YAG laser during our laser tattoo removal treatments to safely, effectively, and efficiently remove your unwanted tattoo.
How Effective Is Laser Tattoo Removal?
Tattoo removal with laser treatments is the most effective way to eliminate a tattoo. It works so well because the laser removes the visible ink from the skin’s surface and the deeper layers. This process is much safer than scraping a tattoo from the skin, which can result in tissue damage, scarring, or infection.
Why It’s So Effective
The laser targets the pigment and ink in the tattoo during the process and then breaks down that pigment by shattering it into tiny pieces. When the device targets your skin, it will emit bursts of energy light to break down the ink particles, and your body will then slowly eliminate them through the lymphatic system. Eventually, after the necessary number of treatments required to target your specific tattoo, your tattoo will be gone for good.
How Does It Work?
To understand how laser treatments can remove a tattoo, you first need to understand what happens during the tattoo process. During a tattoo, the artist uses a needle to embed the ink into the deeper layers of the skin. For a tattoo to be permanent, it needs to reach beyond the skin’s surface so that it cannot be exfoliated or fade over time with cell renewal.
How Laser Treatments Work
While this process produces the desired effect for those who want their tattoo to last forever, it may pose a concern for those who get tired of a tattoo and no longer want it on their body. That’s where these laser treatments come in.
They penetrate beyond the skin’s surface to destroy the ink particles and break them up into tiny pieces. The body responds to the treatment and the tiny pigment particles by enacting an immune response that flushes these particles from the system. As it does, you’ll see your tattoo lighten, and eventually, it will disappear altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Treatments Are Necessary?
Tattoos come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. Regardless of how your tattoo looks, how big it is, or where it’s located, laser tattoo removal treatments can help it slowly fade away. This is a completely individualized process since every tattoo is different. Additionally, different patients respond differently to the treatment.
Some people’s bodies may eliminate those broken down particles faster, others may take a little longer, but one thing remains, your body will eliminate them, and your tattoo will disappear. Each treatment will get you one step closer to your desired outcome; your tattoo will be eventually fade, and you won’t ever have to see it on your skin again.
Your Personalized Treatment Plan
Each treatment will break down more pigment particles in the tattoo, and then your body will eliminate them, and you will watch your tattoo slowly fade. Most patients need five to ten treatment sessions to remove their tattoos.
The best way to determine the total number of sessions you will need to completely eliminate your tattoo is by scheduling a consultation with one of our experts who can evaluate your tattoo in person and give you a more concrete idea of what your potential treatment plan will look like. We will evaluate the age, size, and color of your tattoo to help determine the best treatment plan for you.
Is the Process Painful?
Getting a tattoo is painful, but sometimes, you’re so committed to the process and desired outcome that you don’t even think about the pain. This treatment is similar in that you must be committed to the treatment and the outcome, but thankfully, we can take measures that tattoo artists cannot and will make the process virtually painless.
First, we can apply a topical numbing solution to your skin or inject lidocaine in the treatment area. This will help take away prevent any discomfort during the treatment. Our technician takes every step to ensure that this is a comfortable and virtually painless process. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how simple, quick, and efficient this process really is.
Is There Any Downtime?
When you begin this treatment process, you won’t have to plan around any downtime. You can resume all your normal activities after your treatment, but there are some ways you can help protect your skin to keep it from irritation or sun damage. Wearing loose clothes after the treatment will help give your skin air to breathe and help it heal quickly.
Also, you need to avoid excess sun exposure, which is always a good thing for your skin, but it’s even more important after a laser treatment. Your skin will be far more sensitive to the sun post-treatment, so you need to use an adequate amount of SPF to help ensure the best results. After your treatment, your technician will review any aftercare instructions so that you can take the necessary steps to protect your skin and help it heal between treatments.
How Many Tattoos Can I Remove?
You can remove as many tattoos as you want. When you come in for your consultation, be sure to let our technician know about each tattoo you want to be removed so that we can evaluate them in person and design the most effective treatment plan to help you effectively eliminate those tattoos.
What Are the Most Common Reasons To Get Rid of a Tattoo?
Patients seek out tattoo removal treatment for many different reasons. Some people get tattoos when they’re very young, and as they age or begin a job in a serious profession, they find that their tattoo no longer fits or reflects their lifestyle.
Others may get a tattoo that reflects a person or a time in their life that they’d rather forget. Some patients choose an unskilled tattoo artist and are left with a tattoo that they just don’t love. The reasons for removing a tattoo vary, but we can use this effective laser to help you reach your goals regardless of the reasons you want to remove it.
What Kind of Tattoos Are the Easiest To Remove?
Contrary to what you may think, black tattoos are the easiest to remove. Conversely, green is one of the most difficult colors to remove from the skin, but this laser treatment is able to remove almost any color; it just takes a little bit of time and consistency. Location plays a part in tattoo removal as well. Tattoos located closer to the heart respond faster than those farther away from the heart.
What Is a Q Switched Laser?
A Q switched laser is the most effective laser to use when removing a tattoo because it produces short bursts of energy. This energy is delivered in short quick bursts, which helps target the pigment and break it down.
How Long Does It Take To See Results?
You will notice an improvement in the appearance of your tattoo, and it will become less visible within six weeks of your first treatment. Results will continue to improve for several months, even without further treatment. We typically advise patients to leave six weeks between their treatment sessions to achieve the best results.
Learn More
If you’ve been living with a tattoo that you don’t love for any length of time, know that there is a solution. We can use laser treatments to help can you finally eliminate that tattoo. Contact us today at Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center in Cincinnati, OH, and schedule your initial consultation with one of our experts who can tell you more about laser tattoo removal and how it can help you erase your tattoo.
