The American Academy of Dermatology reports that 24 percent of 500 people surveyed had a tattoo, and 17 percent of those with tattoos had considered removal. If that tattoo no longer seems like a good idea, laser tattoo removal is the only reliable way of getting rid of your pieces. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns against “do-it-yourself” products, noting that laser removal is the only FDA-approved way to remove a tattoo. Visit your dermatologist and talk about the procedure and the potential effects of tattoo removal.
Pain
Laser tattoo removal is ultimately a painful experience, notes TattooHealth.org. The procedure uses short, high-frequency bursts of laser light to penetrate the skin and effectively be absorbed by the tattoo ink under the surface. The ink then breaks into smaller particles and is dispersed by your body’s immune system. Your dermatologist may ask you to take a painkiller beforehand, or he may apply a topical anesthetic to minimize pain before beginning the procedure. Fortunately, the pain mostly subsides once the treatment ends.
Scarring and Blistering
The intense nature of the laser can cause your skin to crack and bleed. Your skin might erupt in blisters immediately following the procedure. If you do suffer from blisters, you should never touch or squeeze them; excess handling could result in infection and further scarring. Scarring may cause the area where your tattoo once was to be an obvious site, but the tattoo itself will be diminished.
Swelling and Burning
In the weeks following laser tattoo removal therapy, you may feel a sensation of tenderness that feels something like a sunburn. The skin treated with the laser will likely be red, and might be swollen. Your doctor may suggest that you keep the area elevated to reduce swelling, and may prescribe anti-swelling and pain medications to help you feel more comfortable.
Hyper- and Hypopigmentation
Upon the completion of laser tattoo removal, you may notice that when the skin has healed, it is slightly darker or slightly lighter than the rest of your skin. If it has darkened, this is known has hyperpgimentation, and this occurs when the damaged skin heals over in a browner tone than the rest of the skin. A lighter appearance can also occur, when the skin is damaged and puts forth less pigmentation than before. Either way, the tattoo will be much less noticeable, even if the area is a slightly different color or texture than the rest of your skin.
About this Author
Jae Ireland specializes in keyword research and Internet marketing. Getting her start with a small Internet marketing firm in 2005, she has since designed and written for well over 20 commercial and informational websites. Her areas of interest and expertise include fashion, parenting, home improvement and health and fitness.
