Tattoo Removal 101: Everything You Need To Know About De-tattooing Your Body

It is clear that you have to think about it before putting yourself in the hands of a tattoo artist, because removing a tattoo is not a simple or cheap process. Even so, statistics show that six out of ten people who get tattoos regret it within 5 years, a fairly high figure that indicates that perhaps the decision was not thought through enough at the time.

However, not everyone removes tattoos for the same reason. There are very diverse causes:

• The design has degraded too much over time. The sun, the increases and losses in weight, the quality of the inks – all this can make that, after a few years, a beautiful design has become a mass of ink in which nothing is distinguished and that, moreover, does not it is aesthetic.
• For work. When you are young, you can do many crazy things, but when it comes time to compete or look for a job, many people realize that having a tattoo in a visible area of the body may not have been such a good idea.

• A routine. Yes, there are still people who get the name of their better half tattooed on their bodies; when love ends that becomes a problem.
• To touch up a design made by a non-professional tattoo artist. This is a very common reason. If the tattoo has not been done by an expert, it is likely that it will look little or nothing to the desired result.
• Because it has gone out of style. Certain designs become very fashionable, but after a while, they become old and obsolete, so wearing them is no longer as attractive as in the beginning.

How are tattoos removed?

Today the technique that gives the best results is the laser . The light pulses affect the pigment particles and cause them to explode, breaking down into smaller ones that are assimilated by the body little by little and eliminated through the lymphatic system. The result is that, in a few sessions, the tattoo ends up disappearing.

The laser is a painless and safe treatment. It transmits a sensation of heat that can be annoying, so anesthetic cream can be applied to the area. Cold will also be applied as the laser passes.

But it is normal that doubts arise before going through a procedure of this type. Here we tell you everything you need to know about tattoo removal.

What Should I Know Before Undergoing Laser?

There are people who regret having tattooed almost immediately, but it cannot be treated with the laser if the wound has not healed.

Experts recommend waiting a minimum of six months, and in that time apply the necessary treatments so that the tattoo does not become infected and heals well.

Tattoo Removal: Is the treatment effective?

It mainly depends on the colors that have been used, because some are easier to remove than others. Even so, the tattoo can be erased in almost 90% of cases, a fairly high percentage.

This implies that it will hardly be seen. Of course, everything will depend on the color, since there are some that give more work than others.

Although many people think that black is the worst color, the truth is that it is not. Pink, white and yellow are the most resistant to pulsed light and can be especially difficult to remove.

Regarding the number of sessions that are needed to finish the tattoo, it will depend, above all, on the color and size of the tattoo, but also on other factors such as the type of ink used, the skin tone, the time it has been past or depth.

Due to all this, some people will need only 4 sessions to remove the tattoo and others will have to undergo double.

Each of these sessions usually lasts 15 to 20 minutes. However, in the case of large tattoos or in which the ink is at a very deep level, it may be necessary to invest a little more time in each session.

When Do You Start To Notice The Results?

Laser treatment is effective from the first session, but you have to give the body time to do its job and eliminate pigments. The normal thing is that in 20 or 25 days the results will begin to be noticed.

As the laser does not cause wounds, there will be no scars after the treatment, although it may feel red and inflamed for a few days. A small scab may even appear that will disappear with the application of antiseptic and anti-inflammatory medications for topical use.

Similarly, it is important to follow the doctor’s advice on skin care so that the area is as good as possible. The first of them is to avoid direct exposure to the sun during the two weeks following each session. If this is not possible, use a high factor sunscreen. In addition, it is also important that both the day of treatment and the day after the bath with hot water is avoided.

Can The Same Area Be Tatted On Again?

If the advice given by the specialist who has applied the laser is followed, the skin will be in perfect condition and it can be tattooed on it again. However, if you are thinking of getting a new tattoo you will also have to follow the instructions given by the experts.