Laser Tattoo Removal

Tattoo Removal has made several advances over the last few years. Instead of ridding the unwanted ink from your body by way of sanding and acid, new technology has provided a much less painful alternative. Today, the most common procedures involve fading creams and lasers.

But before you pick up your phone to make an appointment, there are still some things you need to know about the tattoo removal procedure. These tattoo removal advancements are great but they do come with some drawbacks. Fade creams are very popular, due to its safety, ease of use, availability and convenience. However, their effectiveness of removing your unwanted tattoo remains a question. Lasers tattoo removal on the other hand, provides quick results and are relatively safe. However, they come at with a high price tag, may be uncomfortable during procedures and can potentially cause scarring.

How painful is laser removal? That is different for each person, because every person has a higher threshold for pain. It also depends on the parts of the body where the tattoo being removed is located. Areas like the toes and feet can be much more painful than other parts of the body. The feeling having a tattoo removed by lasers is said to feel like a rubber band snapping over and over again in a very concentrated area. To minimize the pain, some people prefer to have a topical numbing cream applied over the tattoo prior to the treatment. The laser procedure actually goes pretty fast-just takes a few minutes for each visit.

The cost of having a tattoo removed with lasers will vary depending on the size, the type and color of ink that was used, how deep it has penetrated the skin, age of the tattoo and skin type. More than one application is normally needed. After each treatment you will need to give several weeks for the wound to heal before returning for follow up visits. For complete removal it can take anywhere from just a few visits to more than a dozen. This is only meant to be an estimate, but a 3 inch square tattoo, requiring 9 visits, can cost between $800 and $1,000.

Scarring associated with laser tattoo removal used to be more prevalent than it is today. This procedure does not come without its risk for scarring, and you should always consult a dermatologist or medical professional first, but with the newer lasers the risk for scarring is much less common today. The one factor that comes into play with scarring is the skin type of each individual.