Health

Want to Remove Your Old Tattoos? Here’s How

Eliminate your unwanted tattoo with a procedure that does not involve surgery. Non-surgical tattoo removal may be the best option for you, depending on where your tattoo is located and what type of ink was used to create it. Tattoo removal can take time, but the results are worth it! 

Why Do Some People Want to Remove Their Tattoo?

People get tattoos for various reasons. Some tattoos are decorative, while some have personal or sentimental value. Unfortunately, many people regret getting a tattoo later in life because it no longer holds the same meaning to them. This is especially true if the tattoo is no longer relevant or it is causing the person to have problems in their life. Removing a laser tattoo does not mean that you will never have another one. It simply means that your first one was a mistake, but you’ve grown and changed since then.

What is Non-Surgical Tattoo Removal?

Non-surgical tattoo removal involves using a laser designed to break apart the pigment of your tattoo. This is often referred to as “Q-switch” lasers because of the rapid release of energy that occurs when you turn them on and off. They quickly shatter or break apart the ink into tiny particles, which then gradually fade away over time. 

Can Non-Surgical Tattoo Removal Work for Me?

The primary goal of non-surgical tattoo removal is to create new skin while removing the old, unwanted one. This means developing newer skin by encouraging healthy cell growth with minimal scarring. You can expect some scarring where you once had your tattoo, though this may go away over time. Any lightened areas on your skin are what you might notice first after treatment, but they will improve over time. Your body naturally clears out dead cells and replaces them with new ones every day, so the older areas should fade away. The extent of how long it takes depends on how deep and big your tattoo is. The cells that are first affected by the laser treatment will change color and flake away. After the first round of treatments, you may notice a crusty residue on your skin as it heals. This should go away within a few days after each session.

What Should I Expect from Non-Surgical Tattoo Removal?

There’s no such thing as instant gratification when it comes to tattoo removal! You’ll need to prepare yourself for several sessions before you can see visible results. Your body needs time to absorb all those dead cells, which means new ones must form first underneath your epidermis (the top layer of skin). How long that process takes depends on where your tattoo is located and how big it is. If you are on the sensitive side, you may notice some temporary swelling or discomfort during your treatments. However, this should not last for more than a few hours after each session.

What Are the Benefits of Non-Surgical Tattoo Removal?

Non-surgical tattoo removal involves little to no downtime or recovery time after your procedure. You can immediately return to your daily routine following each session because the laser breaks apart the pigment in your tattoo without damaging any surrounding tissue. There’s no need for anesthesia when undergoing this treatment, nor will you endure any scarring or discoloration from using a laser to remove your tattoo.

What About Side Effects?

You may experience some minor pain or irritation during or after your treatment, but that’s normal. Your skin could also feel a little tender for a few days afterward. The color of your removed tattoo may change after several treatments, but this is only temporary until the dead cells re-absorb into your body. Once that happens, you can expect them to return to their original shades with time. You may also notice an increase in the number of freckles on your treated area because it takes longer for new ones to fade away.