Tattoo Removal?

Has anyone ever had a tattoo removed? I have one on my back that I really want to have removed. I have an appointment next monday with a place that does lazor removal...just wanted to know if anyone has had this done.

If so...

How bad does it hurt?
and
Does it really work?

TIA

Re: Tattoo Removal?

anyone?

Re: Tattoo Removal?

A friend of mine has it done, but she was to go for more treatments its much lighter but you can still see it...Hope this helps!


How Does it Work?

Lasers work by producing short pulses of intense light that pass harmlessly through the top layers of the skin to be selectively absorbed by the tattoo pigment. This laser energy causes the tattoo pigment to fragment into smaller particles that are then removed by the body's immune system. Researchers have determined which wavelengths of light to use and how to deliver the laser's output to best remove tattoo ink. The laser selectively targets the pigment of the tattoo without damaging the surrounding skin.

The depth and density of the ink is probably the biggest determining factor involved in successfully removing a tattoo. With each treatment, the laser fragments more ink and penetrates a little deeper into your skin; blistering and scabbing often follow. Taking care of the treated area is the most important factor in removing a tattoo without a scar. Post laser treatment will determine the success rate. Since using the laser cannot regulate the speed of the fading process, it's better to treat more conservatively than aggressively, allowing the surrounding tissues to relax during the weeks between treatments.



Who is a Candidate?

Good candidates for tattoo removal without scarring are those with medium to fair skin, dark but not dense ink, and a superficial ink depth. The preferred locations include arms, chest, buttocks, and anywhere else on the body with good circulation. Medium- or fair-skinned patients react well because the light will be able to selectively target the ink instead of the dark skin. Dark ink that is not dense is favorable because the light is more attracted to darker colors so darker ink is fragmented better than yellow ink. Density is also a factor; the more ink, the more there is to fade. Superficial ink is also favorable because it is closest to the surface of the skin so the laser doesn't need to penetrate so many skin layers to get to it. Results are quicker. Areas such as the arm or chest have more blood flow and are a better vehicle for the immune system which is what removes the ink. Areas such as the ankle or fingers have poor circulation and are tougher to treat.



Is it Painful?

The unfortunate thing about tattoos is that both getting them and having them taken off can be uncomfortable. The impact of the energy from the laser's powerful pulse of light has been described as similar to being snapped by a thin rubber band. Because black pigment absorbs all laser wavelengths, it's the easiest to remove. Other colors, such as green, selectively absorb laser light and can only be treated by selected lasers based on the pigment color.

In preparation for a laser procedure, doctors recommend that non-aspirin products, like Tylenol, be used prior to the procedure. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as Ibuprofen are not recommended because they can produce pronounced bruising after treatment.

Further pre-treatment steps might include the application of an anesthetic cream two hours before the laser begins. It is wiped off just before laser begins. Other patients prefer to have a local anesthetic injected into the tattoo prior to laser therapy.



How Much Does it Cost?

Getting a tattoo removed is much more expensive than having one put on. Laser tattoo removal can range from several hundred dollars up into the thousands of dollars, depending upon the size, type and location of the tattoo and the number of visits required. Medical insurance generally doesn't pay for tattoo removal, since it is considered aesthetic or cosmetic in nature.

Most amateur tattoos are removed in 1 to 4 treatments scheduled about 4-8 weeks apart. Removing a professionally applied tattoo is usually a fading process that requires a series of treatments spaced approximately 8 weeks apart or longer. Professional tattoos usually require 6-10 treatments for complete clearing. Costs range between $250 - $850 per session, as an average.

Re: Tattoo Removal?

I am in the process of removing a tat from my shoulder. I have went for 3 treatments and will definitely need a few more. Honestly it is painful, but it doesn't last long. I would say it feels kinda like little snaps from a rubber band. Mine is much lighter now, but you can still see it. It ***** because it is so much more expensive to remove it than to get it in the first place. It was about 10 years old and wasn't looking good, so I felt like I had to get rid of it. Good luck!

Re: Tattoo Removal?

Does your tattoo have a lot of colors or is it black?

Black ink tats tend to respond fairly well to laser treatment - but you will need multiple sessions and it depends on how deep into the skin the tattoo artist went when you got the tattoo. The deeper the ink the more sessions you will need.

If the tat has colors, the lasers wont work on some colors very well. The dr you have the consult with can tell you which colors.

There is another way to remove colored tattoos but its more painful than the lasers. I started having it done on one of my tattoos on my leg and it hurts like you-know-what.