The tattoo removal procedure helps to get rid of undesirable tattoos from any place in the body. Our human body is equipped to remove the normal small particles on the surface of our skin. The tattoo is made permanent by using much bigger particles of tattoo ink that are hard to eliminate by human metabolism. Therefore, to remove the permanent tattoos, few treatment options are available, which include laser tattoo removal, chemical peels, dermabrasion, and surgical excision.
1. Tattoos Are Permanent
Obviously, right? But seriously, tattoos are very permanent. Yes, you can get them removed, but laser removal can be expensive, tedious, and painful. If you’re not sure you can handle having something on your body permanently, try using temporary tattoos for a bit to see if you like it. You might realize that you don’t actually want ink.
2. Be Very Sure Of What You Want
Seriously, I can’t stress this enough: tattoos are permanent; whatever you get on your body will be there forever, unless you choose to go through a potentially painful removal process. It should go without saying that your tattoo should be something you want on your body for the rest of your life. That really cool design may seem like a good idea to put on your body now, but make sure it’s something you’ll still want to look at when you’re 40, 50, and 60 years old. Take it from me: I have friends with very meaningful tattoos, but who got them removed because they didn’t like them after a few years. And I have friends who have silly, on-a-whim pieces that they’ll never get removed.
3. Consider The Placement
Where you get a tattoo can be just as important as what you get. Some locations on the body can be more painful than others. Some locations can get you more judgmental looks than others—I have a lower back tattoo, trust me. You also might want to consider the placement based on your workplace. I’m fortunate I work in a creative industry where tattoos are welcomed and displayed proudly. However, if you work in a more conservative field, you might not be able to show off your ink. If you’re unsure of where you want it, you can ask the artist to do the temporary stencil on the parts you’re considering so you can see what it looks like.
4. Do Your Research
Finding a good tattoo shop with a good artist is imperative. You probably don’t want to go to some sketchy place and risk getting a tattoo that looks nothing like you pictured. I recommend spending time researching tattoo shops and artists in your area. Read the reviews thoroughly. Ask your tattooed friends where they got their ink and if they have a recommendation. Most of my tattoos have been done at shops I was referred to. (what to do before getting a tattoo)
5. Scope Out The Shops
I highly recommend physically going to different shops and speaking with the artists, especially if you want a detailed piece. If you get bad vibes when you walk into a place, then leave. If it looks dirty, keep searching. Tattoo parlors should smell super clean, like a sterile hospital. I mean, you’re literally getting ink injected into your skin. The place needs to be spotless.
Also read: How To Get A Suit Tailored Perfectly
6. Know That It Can Hurt
Everyone’s pain tolerance is different, but tattoos can really hurt. Personally, I think it feels like constant finger pricks at the doctor’s office and a hot rubber band snapping against your skin. You may get a little numb after a while, and the pain can subside after your adrenaline kicks in. I’ve never cried while getting a tattoo, but a lot of people I know have. Others may scream. It really can depend on your pain tolerance and where you get your tattoo. My most painful was one on my shoulder because I’m particularly bony. Softer, more plush areas with thick skin may not hurt as much. You may also be sore afterward, similar to when you get a flu shot.
7. Follow The Aftercare Instructions
If you’re not prepared to deal with caring for your tattoo, you probably shouldn’t get one. It’s not like having a puppy or anything, but you will have to be diligent about the aftercare, especially for the first two weeks. From my experience, you need to gently cleanse your tattoo with warm water and antibacterial soap every few hours, and then apply a thin layer of Aquaphor or unscented lotion. You’ll repeat the process for 5-7 days. Be warned: your tattoo will likely flake and peel. Don’t worry! This is totally normal. After your tattoo has healed, it’s important to still keep it moisturized and protected from the sun with sunscreen. For professional care advice, make sure to go over this with your tattoo artist and shop.
8. Timing Is Important
When you get your tattoo can also be very important. From my experience, tattoos, especially fresh ones, are not supposed to be exposed to sunlight, so you probably don’t want to get one before you head to the beach for a week. I got my most recent tattoo on my inner bicep, not factoring in that I had a lot of literal heavy lifting to do at work that week. I was super sore and in a lot of pain. It’s important to keep things like that in mind when you’re deciding when to get your ink.
How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?
For most patients, the time it takes to get rid of a tattoo is well worth it. If you thought you might have to live with your unwanted ink forever, it can be a great relief to know that laser treatment can erase it in as little as one year. So, how does this process work?
Why Does the Ink Take Time to Remove?
Before laser tattoo removal, getting rid of tattoo ink was incredibly tricky. Even now, it takes time. This is because of the way it locks into your cells.
The Location of Your Tattoo
Surprisingly, the speed of your tattoo removal process is affected by where you chose to get the ink done. Tattoos that are closer to your heart can be cleared faster than ones that are far away. This is because areas near your heart get stronger circulation and more immune system cell activity. For this reason, tattoos on your hands and feet might require more time than designs on your chest.
Can You Shower After Laser Tattoo Removal?
Once you remove the bandage, you can shower and wash the treatment area. However, you should avoid high-pressure water. Clean the area gently with mild soap and pat dry.
Don’t soak the area until it’s completely healed. Avoid baths, hot tubs, and swimming pools, as all of these can increase your chances of infection.
Before & After
View our extensive portfolio below of tattoo removal before and after photos provided by leading dermatologists and aesthetic providers from around the world. Have a tattoo removal success story of your own? using one of our laser tattoo removal devices? send us the photos and the treatment details to our mailbox and we’ll happily publish it too. It normally can take between 4-8 laser treatments for the successful removal of a tattoo. The exact number greatly depends on the age of the tattoo, the patient’s pain tolerance and skin type, and genetic factors. Therefore we encourage you to send photos that were taken after each session and not only at the beginning and end of the treatment process. Some patients choose to only remove the tattoo partially, as they want to cover it with a new tattoo so fewer treatment sessions are required in this case.
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