Rethinking Ink: How to Remove a Tattoo

Most Melbournians are beach lovers and can’t keep themselves away from sunbathing, swimming, kayaking and surfing. There is no shortage of people wearing swimsuits and lazing around the shore side during summers. The familiar sight at these spots is the tattooed bodies of both men and women.

It has been estimated that almost 20% of adult Australians have one tattoo on their body. The obsession for tattoos is increasing, and so is the regret related to getting them in the first place. The number of people rethinking ink is going up at a fast pace, and laser tattoo removal in Melbourne is becoming highly popular for the same.

If you are among those who have been dissatisfied with their ink and want to get rid of it, then here is a rundown on successfully removing them.

How To Remove A Tattoo?

Although there are a variety of treatments available for tattoo removal, none of them is as effective as laser therapy. Most of the traditional methods were either too painful or caused scarring and pigmentation. Thus the safest way to ensure complete removal of ink is to opt for laser tattoo removal.

The procedure has improved over the years to become more advanced and safe. Thus it has become the popular choice for all the right reasons. It is spread over a period of several months and offers long-lasting results. To begin the process, you will have to visit a dermatologist at a reputed skin clinic to understand the duration of the therapy.

Also, you will get to know how the sessions will be spaced and what will they involve. You can ask questions and get your doubts cleared. The practitioner will also provide you with a list of before and after dos and don’ts, which should be followed without fail.

What Does Laser Tattoo Removal Involve?

The advanced laser technology has made it possible to remove tattoos from every skin tone and type. Multi-coloured tattoos have also been completely faded with the help of the procedure. However, you must make sure that you visit a qualified and certified laser technician who is experienced in cosmetic procedures.

An amateur can make matters worse. Also, there are a lot of misconceptions about laser tattoo removal. Thus it is vital to know how it works. The ink of the tattoo is deposited below the epidermis, and a high-intensity light beam is used to break the pigment colour. The laser produces pulses of light energy in quick succession.

The heat created by the laser beam disintegrates the pigment colours into tiny particles which are removed from the body through the natural filtration process. The black colour pigment is easiest to remove because it absorbs all the laser wavelengths.

For tattoos that have multiple colours, the practitioner utilises Q-switched laser, which has laser light of varying wavelengths. Different colours absorb light of different wavelengths and get removed.

During the procedure, the patient has to wear an eye shield, and the practitioner will conduct a patch test to check which energy is most suitable for the skin. The light beam is highly targeted and does not affect the surrounding skin tissues. Thus there is no impact on the epidermis. If conducted by a professional, then it does not cause any side effects.

How Does The Body React To Lasers

Laser tattoo removal is not like moving the magic wand and the ink will vanish. It requires more several sessions to remove the ink completely and the subsequent sessions are spaced eight weeks apart. The duration of the treatment is dependent on a variety of factors ranging from the age of the tattoo and its location to its size and colour.

With every appointment, the colour of the tattoo starts becoming lighter and ultimately fades away. The pain is equal to the discomfort felt during the inking and can be subdued by the application of a Some people may experience inflammation and redness of the area.

Thus you must apply an ice pack on it immediately after the session. The practitioner will then apply an antiseptic ointment and cover the treated area with a bandage. The post-treatment guidelines should be carried out diligently to avoid any complications or infections.

The area should be cleaned with mild soap and water and pat dried gently. It should be kept covered with a bandage for three days which should be changed at frequent intervals. Do not expose the skin directly to sun and apply or more while going out.

Treatments Which Should Be Avoided

Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure that utilises a grinding tool to scrape of the layers of skin which contain ink. It is quite painful and leads to an open wound which takes time to heal. It does not remove the ink completely. Chemical Peels work similarly and remove the upper layer of the skin.

Since the ink is present in the deeper layers, it is not effective. Surgical excision is an invasive treatment that removes the skin containing the ink and leaves behind a scar. It can be only used for small tattoos. Thus it makes more sense to opt for laser tattoo removal in Melbourne, which is safe and successful.

Endnote

If you are rethinking ink, then you must know how laser tattoo removal works and why it is the only practical solution for the removal. Do not fall for the cheap treatments offered at obscure places that can cause side effects and lead to permanent scarring and pigmentation.