5 Things You Should Know About Laser Tattoo Removal

When you’re considering laser tattoo removal near you, there are dozens of questions swimming around in your head. Does it hurt? Will it damage my skin?

Is there anything I can do to speed up the process? Here are five things you should know about laser tattoo removal.

The Laser Doesn’t Affect Your Surrounding Skin

A common concern when undergoing laser tattoo removal treatments is the lasting effects it will have on the skin. Lasers have many settings and are designed to target pigment that was embedded in the skin. People with darker skin are typically concerned about hyperpigmentation, which can occur if poor equipment or an inexperienced technician performs your treatments. Laser tattoo removal should not remove the color from your skin, nor should it remove freckles or beauty marks. The highly trained staff at our laser and cosmetic centers are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Your Ink Isn’t as Deep as You Think

Many people think that tattoo ink is embedded deep within the skin, however, that isn’t the case. The ink rests in the dermis layer, which is just below the epidermis, allowing your tattoo to keep its appearance even after you experience dry and flaky skin. The dermis layer is roughly between .08 mm and 4.5 mm below the epidermis, or the outer layer of your skin, which gives you an idea as to how far the laser has to travel.

White Frosting Is a Good Sign

You may notice during your laser tattoo removal sessions that the laser gives your ink a white frosted layer. This is caused by the rapid release of carbon dioxide being released from the skin. While this may not look too pretty, it’s actually a good thing. When undergoing laser tattoo removal, the laser may not always penetrate the skin. It can be reflected off the skin’s surface and go in any direction. Ultimately, the white frosting over your tattoo indicates that the laser has penetrated the ink effectively, and you should look forward to seeing results.

Cigarettes Slow down the Removal Process

A laser is used to break up the ink, but your immune system is what eliminates it. Tattoos closer to your heart fade faster than a tattoo on your ankle. A healthy immune system is key to a speedy removal, and smoking cigarettes can slow down the process by up to 70 percent. To increase the likelihood of fading, it’s best to practice healthy habits to improve your immune system. You can do this by eating healthy meals, sleeping well, and giving up cigarettes.

Better Technology and Experienced Technicians Leads to Less Pain

It’s often said that laser tattoo removal feels similar to the actual tattoo process, so if you can handle getting the tattoo, you can certainly handle removal. However, every laser feels slightly different and not every technician is properly trained. Do your research prior to scheduling an appointment. Find a treatment center that offers the latest state-of-the-art laser technology and is run by experienced and licensed medical laser technicians. Also find out if numbing cream or cool air relief will be available to you. If not, you may want to consider purchasing your own numbing cream or applying a cold compress prior to each session.

An experienced licensed medical laser technician will always offer some kind of pain relief. At Body Details True Laser Hair and Tattoo Removal, our PicoWay lasers use a cryogenic device to cool the air to -32°C, and it’s aimed over the treatment area to numb the skin prior to treatment. Our state-of-the-art lasers and skilled licensed medical technicians ensure a comfortable and painless experience while ridding your body of unwanted ink.