Laser Tattoo Removal - Frequently Asked Questions

When you make an appointment for laser tattoo removal, you give yourself the wonderful opportunity for a clean slate along a certain part of your body. There are several reasons to want to get rid of markings on the body but if you want it done right, it is important to pay attention to all instructions given to you by a professional. Despite what you already know about the procedure, there are still plenty of questions that most clients have about the experience.

How does the procedure work?

In laser tattoo removal, powerful equipment is used to remove the ink from the skin by breaking it into tiny pieces. The skin around the tattoo goes untouched and unaffected. The body's immune system then takes the ink and removes it from the body. Eventually the markings fade until they are no longer as visible. It takes multiple treatments to remove ink and the larger the marking, the more treatments it will require.

Is it painful?

Like many procedures involving this type of equipment, there is some pain associated with laser tattoo removal. Previous clients have likened it to a lot of bee stings all at the same time or multiple rubber bands snapping the skin. Depending on your pain threshold, you can choose to have a cold compress added to the area to make it numb. You might also consider also taking an over-the-counter- pain medication.

How can a person prepare?

Talk to the professional about your options for managing pain in advance. Also, get an idea of how many treatments you will need and how far apart they should be scheduled. You definitely want to know how much the procedure will cost. Most of the time the cost directly correlates to the size of the marking as well as the amount of ink used.

How can I take care of the area after the procedure is complete?

You are going to feel pain in the area that can be likened to sunburn. You need to make sure that you keep the area covered and allow it to heal. If you don't there is a chance of complications and you could be delaying your results. Stay out of the sun and be aware of your physical limitations. If any type of strenuous activity is going to involve the area affected by laser tattoo removal, be cautious and if you feel pain, stop immediately.

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Tattoo Removal and Cover-Up

Tattoo removal is a complicated and often impossible task. Contrary to common beliefs, laser removal does leave a trace and doesn't necessarily remove the tattoo completely. Depending on the size and part of the body, scars will be more or less visible. Keep in mind, however, that tattoos fade over time. If you wear a tattoo of your ex-love, you might wish to do a cover-up instead. Various tattoo removal creams circulate in the market but, save for being expensive, they usually can't help much.

Tattoo Removal Methods

Laser removal is the most common tattoo removal method. Laser affects the ink with laser light pulses, causing your immune system to clear the ink away. Rarely is one laser removal treatment sufficient for complete tattoo removal. Usually it takes up to 10 treatments, depending on the skin sensitivity and size of the tattoo. The catch is - the more treatments you undergo, the more damaged your skin gets. Laser rays penetrate the skin leaving blisters, which will eventually turn into scars. However, with the ever-advancing technology, scarring is minimal, but cannot be avoided. Laser removal treatments are quite expensive. The price varies from $250 to $850 per treatment, and none can guarantee positive results. Note that laser removal is quite painful, since it penetrates and burns your skin.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL) is a similar method, though less common. It uses high intensity light instead of laser light, but the removal process is more or less the same. Instead of a laser, a wand emits light pulses. The only advance of IPL is that it's less painful (though it also leaves scars) and indeed much more expensive. The price is calculated based on number of pulses applied, and a single pulse may cost up to $10. IPL also takes more treatments, depending on the tattoo size and skin sensitivity.

Other methods are quite ineffective and leave much deeper and uglier scars. An example would be the so-called excision, a surgical method used to cut the tattoo away and sew the skin afterwards.

Cover-ups

It often happens that a person gets a tattoo in a fit of emotion. Common examples are tattooed names (boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, child... ) or current idols. Some less lucky souls get tattoos from inexperienced tattoo artists, resulting in ugly images. The truth is, unless the tattoo is completely covered in black ink, a good tattoo artist may always do a nice cover-up. The term "cover-up" is used to describe two processes:

1. Redoing of the old faded tattoo (with or without new elements);
2. Replacement of the tattoo with another image.

We will hereby consider only the latter.

• First you need to find a really good tattoo artist. Ask your friends if they know someone, search the Web, read reviews in tattoo magazines (but keep away from paid advertisement!), research tattoo artists' portfolios... Once you've found the right person, you are ready to go. Keep in mind that you won't get a chance to get another cover-up. Choose your tattoo artist carefully and pick an image you'll wear for the rest of your days.


• The only predisposition is that the tattoo being covered has to be fully healed.


• Keep in mind that the new tattoo must be at least 50% bigger than the old one. The new design might not fit into the existing image, so give your tattoo artist some space to repair it.


• Depending on the size and color of the old tattoo, the cover-up process may require more than one session.

Good luck!

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The Risks of Getting A Tattoo

Tattoos are considered to be more popular and socially accepted nowadays. Tattooing is a trend that started growing during the early 90's. According to a recent study, more than 36% of Americans and Europeans have at least one body tattoo on them. Medias play a great role in increasing the popularity of tattoos through reality shows and magazines with the photographs of celebrities with tattoos on them. Many feel that, beautifying their body with permanent ink helps them to profess their individuality. If you are really interested in getting a tattoo, it will be better to study up on the risks associated with this particular form of body art, and take necessary precautions before going for it.

The biggest risk in getting a tattoo is the selection of your tattoo artist. Consider the following hints before choosing your tattoo artist;

Go to a professional tattoo artist and try to avoid home-made tattoos, especially made with Indian ink.

Take a look around the tattoo parlour to conform whether the place is clean, hygienic and brightly lit.

Make sure that the artist uses new sterilized equipments for each client or thoroughly cleans and sterilizes the equipment using autoclaves.

Make sure he uses standard safety precautions to prevent infections and he wears rubber gloves.

Never go to a parlour with less sanitary conditions to get an inexpensive tattoo. Your health matters more than money.

Make sure that the tattoo artist has credentials, a license and experience.

As tattooing requires the breaking of the skin barrier, it may cause various health risks, including infections and allergic reactions. Getting a tattoo at an accredited professional tattoo parlour is comparatively risk free, but, still it puts you into the following risks;

As needles are inserted under your skin for tattooing, there is an increased risk for the diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. There are no reported vaccinations against HIV and Hepatitis C. But, you can take vaccinations against the contracting Hepatitis B.

In addition to these viral infections, there is a risk of bacterial infections and allergies to dyes and needles. Some infections may be mild and treatable. But some may turn sever.

Infections that can be transmitted due to the unsterilized equipments or contaminated ink includes tetanus, tuberculosis, herpes simplex virus, staph, fungal infections, some forms of hepatitis, HIV etc.

It may cause skin infections such as impetigo or school sores.

Long-term skin diseases like psoriasis, dermatitis and even tumors have been reported as a result of tattoos.

Thick scars called keloids are more likely to appear among dark skinned people.

Mental distress due to regret after getting a tattoo. This is reported as one of the main risks after getting a tattoo.

Occasionally, when a blood vessel gets punctured during the tattooing procedure, a bruise or hematoma may appear.

Allergic reactions due to some metals present in the ink, especially colored inks, have been medically documented. Nickel present in the ink, mainly caused the metal allergy. Other metals that cause allergies include mercury in red cinnabar, cadmium sulphite, cobalt blue, lead, lithium, copper etc.

In some temporary tattoos like henna, problems have been reported. Henna tattoos contain a dark brown dye; para-phenylenediamine (PPD) that causes delayed allergic reactions. The reactions include skin necrosis, scarring and hypo-pigmentation. By analyzing some henna dyes, toxic chemicals used in textile and hair dyes has been found in addition to PPD.

Some hospitals and testing centers will refuse to do MRI scanning of the person with tattoos as there are metal particles in the tattoo which causes a burning pain for them.

Even if you wish to remove a tattoo, some colors like yellow will breakdown into toxic chemicals and spread in your body.

If you are still planning to get a tattoo, then it's imperative you follow the proper safety precautions. Make sure you are getting a tattoo in a place away from food, hazardous waste and other unsanitary conditions. Finally, after receiving your tattoo, get proper aftercare procedures from your artist and be sure to follow it.

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Choosing The Meaning, Timing, And Right Artist For A Tattoo

Tattoos have been around for thousands of years, but it's only been within the past few years that tattoos have really become popular as a way of expressing oneself. There are a few things that I have found about tattoos over the years:

It needs to mean something. You're putting permanent ink on your body. I hope it has a deeper meaning behind it other than just 'I thought it looked cool'.

The timing has to be right. Someone who is serious about ink will understand that the timing must be perfect for getting that tattoo. If it's a memorial to someone you love, generally the tattoo is done after they pass away. If that tattoo is to represent a club or affiliation you are a part of, generally you aren't going to get it until after you've joined that club or affiliation. I think you get the idea.

It has to be completed by the right person. For me, I can't just walk into any tattoo shop and say 'I want some ink'. I have to know the artist, I have to know his or her style, and I have to know that the entire experience is something I want. If, for example, I walk into a tattoo shop and the artist has zero personality I will leave without ink. For me, it's more of a ritual. I need the whole experience surrounding the tattoo to be positive because it's the memories that will stay with me.

Also, when I am picking my artist, I need to know that he or she really knows what they are doing. I've seen artists do whatever tattoo the customer wants, wherever the customer wants, and in whatever color(s) the customer wants. Frankly, I don't like this. As the artist, you're supposed to be the expert. Certain tattoos aren't going to look good on certain places on the body. Certain colors aren't going to stick well, or look aesthetically appealing, on certain skin tones. These are things the artist should know and let the customer know prior to beginning the tattoo.

Getting a tattoo is therapeutic - for me at least.I've even fallen asleep while being worked on. It can start out fairly painful, and some areas of the body are much more sensitive than others, but once the skin begins to numb I find it quite relaxing. The way you handle getting a tattoo will also depend on your pain tolerance. The higher your pain tolerance, the less you'll hurt while getting the tattoo. What's funny is that one side of your body can also have a higher level of pain tolerance than the other (mine is my right side - kinda weird).

There's so much to learn about tattoos, but the expression can be so beautiful if done right.

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Should I Get A Tattoo?

As tattoos have grown in popularity and social acceptance, you may have confusion "Should I get a tattoo or not". If there is something that you really love, then a tattoo is a great way to show off how you feel. There are various reasons to get a tattoo and not to. I think there is no reason not to get a tattoo, if it's for fun.
There are many reasons why people wish to have tattoo on their body. Some important reasons are listed below;
Memories of loved ones - this is one of the most common reasons to get a tattoo on your body for your lifetime. The loved one may be dead or alive. Whatever, this type of tattoo depicts the love inside you for that person.
Religious - another common tattoo is the religious tattoo. Many people get these tattoos as a sign of their devotion to their beliefs.
Passions - if there is something you are really passionate about, then go get the tattoo on you. For example, it may be a sports team or any game. Personal passions are fairly few.
To express ones personality, they use tattoos.
To indicate membership of a particular group, tribe, or way of life.
To make a statement.
To make their body more pleasing to themselves.
To annoy their parents or relatives.
Just for fun.
These reasons listed above are just common. There may be a different reason for getting a tattoo as people vary. You can hear a different and funny reason from some people who had tattooed or wish to be.
As there are reasons to get a tattoo, there are reasons not to get it too. Some reasons not to get a permanent tattoo are listed below;
According to a recent study, the risk of contracting hepatitis C increases significantly among people who have tattoos on them.
It's very expensive and painful to remove a permanent tattoo once it's done.
Tattoo removal can take up to two years.
The expense of tattoo removal may vary from $3000 to $8000.
Tattoo ink cannot be completely removed.
Multicolored tattoo is nearly impossible or may take 4-5 laser treatments to remove.
Tattooing may result in many skin infections.
Above all these reasons, HAVE YOU EVER LIKED ANYTHING FOREVER?
Things "NOT TO DO" while getting a tattoo:
Do not get a tattoo in any place that can be seen by others. You may regret it later. Even though tattoos are more acceptable these days, there are still liabilities while applying for a job.
Do not get a tattoo in the name of your boyfriend/girlfriend unless you get a ring on your finger. 99% love relations at present are failures. So, don't do anything stupid that you'll regret in your future.
Do not get a tattoo based on bad memories. Memorializing bad memories is not good for your mental health.
The expense of tattoo removal may vary from $3000 to $8000.
Do not get a tattoo to show that you are a unique individual. If you do so, you will be proving that you are not, like the "other unique individuals."
Do not get a tattoo for any reasons. If you want to memorize anything in your life, there are many other ways like, writing it down, or taking photographs or just remembering it.
Tattooing may result in many skin infections.
Above all these reasons, HAVE YOU EVER LIKED ANYTHING FOREVER?
The truth is, none of these "DO NOT'S" matters if you really want to get a tattoo, except for people's judgments. If you really want to do it, go right ahead. You are the only one who has to deal with it throughout your life. Try to pick a good and experienced tattoo artist. Make sure to see the original photographs of the work done by the artist you pick. It'll be better to go to someone whose work you have seen in person. Tattoos are great, if it's for fun. But, go for temporary tattoos instead of permanent. You can save a lot of money, pain and regret in future if you do so.
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How to choose your tattoo?

At the time I'm writing this there are probably more people sporting tattoos than without them, but the fact that many are disappointed in their choice compels me to keep writing on.

As opposed to a piercing or a haircut, a tattoo is for life. Even if there are removal procedures, they're highly expensive and highly painful. And most I know about will only clear the design, not make your skin look like it did before you had it tattooed. It will remain scarred and ugly. So don't make it with the thought that you will eventually remove it if you get tired of it, it doesn't work that way.

Also, make it at an established specialist. A tattoo salon. Do not try to save a few bucks by going to a no name that works at home, he cannot provide the sterile environment necessary for this operation. Plus he has no reputation, no license to respect and protect so you have no way of knowing whether he respects the laws concerning hygiene or not. You do not want a secondhand needle. Nothing against freelance workers, it's just that risks are too high to entrust a less than legal establishment on this matter.

Is your tattoo purely aesthetical or is it a token that is meant to mean something to you? If it's not something specific that you want, then start perusing models, there's millions to choose from. Stick to the style you like most, regardless of the size of the model. Or choose various elements and ask the artist of your choice to mix them up in your dream canvas. Communication is extremely important. Based on the body portion you have chosen as your preferred spot, there are models which, however beautiful or breathtaking, simply don't fit. The tattoo artist is supposed to let you know of this, provided you lack the skills to notice by yourself. There is something called proportion that is essential in how a tattoo looks. The right thing in the right place. A good tattoo, besides being what you want it to be and meaning what you want it to mean should embrace the anatomy of the place you are having it put on. It should harmoniously follow the muscles or the curves of the body. Because no matter how deep the meaning of it for you, the rest of the world doesn't know it. So at first glance it will be like a fashion accessory: it has to look spectacular. If it has a deeper substance than that it's perfect. But make sure it also fits aesthetically.

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