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The
Condition
A
tattoo can be described as a lasting mark or design made on
the body when pigment is inserted into the dermal layer of
the skin through ruptures in the skin's top layer.
Tattoos may be classified into three main types:
·
Decorative Tattoos
- used
to indicate status, group membership, serve as a rite of
passage or display art that an individual enjoys.
·
Cosmetic Tattoos
- Permanent eyeliner or lipstick fall under cosmetic
tattoos, or what is also known as permanent cosmetics.
·
Traumatic Tattoos
- This is the kind that is caused by a trauma wherein a
foreign substance such as dirt is embedded in the skin.
A lot
of people have joined the tattoo bandwagon, and as a result
of this, more people are also looking to have their tattoos
removed. Laser treatments can help those people who want to
remove their tattoos for reasons such as career concerns,
bad artwork or art placement, changing lifestyle or personal
taste. The success of tattoo removal may depend on some
factors:
-
the patient's age
-
skin type
-
type of tattoo
-
age of the tattoo
-
color of the tattoo
-
size and depth of the tattoo
-
whether the tattoo was performed by a professional or an
amateur
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Treatments Available
-
Pigment Specific Laser Treatment
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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q:
How do I remove my unwanted tattoo?
A:
In
order to remove a tattoo without a scar, a Q-Switched laser
must be used. The term Q-Switched indicates that the laser
is pulsed so quickly (billionths of a second) that it is
able to dissolve the ink without destroying the live tissue
in the process. There is not enough time to burn the skin.
There are only three types of Q-Switched lasers used for
tattoo removal: Q-Switched Ruby (red light), Q-Switched Yag
(infrared & green light) and Q-Switched Alexandrite
(purple/red light). These three types of lasers respond
differently to different colors of ink.
Q:
How does the laser work?
A:
The
lasers deliver very short pulses of high intensity light
into the treated area. The tattoo inks and pigments then
selectively absorb the light without destroying the normal
surrounding skin tissue in the process. The tattoo is
dissolved into smaller ink particles that are harmlessly
removed by the body's immune system in the weeks following
treatment.
Q:
How many treatments will it require?
A:
Removing a professionally applied tattoo is usually a fading
process that requires a series of treatments spaced
approximately 5 to 6 weeks apart. Professional tattoos
usually require 5 to 10 treatments for complete clearing.
The black-colored inks usually respond quicker then the
bright-colored inks because they absorb the light better.
The depth, color and amount of ink, as well as the location
of the tattoo on your body are all determining factors in
how long and how quick the tattoo removal would take. Most
amateur or otherwise known as "street tattoos" are removed
in only 2 to 5 treatments scheduled about 4 to 5 weeks
apart.
Q:
Does this process cause scarring?
A:
Scars are very rarely seen in this process. Providing state
of the art technology helps ensure patients that the risk of
scarring is dramatically reduced. There have been occasions
where some lighter or darker colored pigment persists on the
tattoo site, but normally after the course of treatments is
complete, the treated area is usually indistinguishable from
normal surrounding skin.
Q:
Will my tattoo be removed completely?
A:
Yes, in most cases tattoos can be completely removed.
Though there are many factors involved in completely
removing unwanted tattoos. The depth, density and types of
colors are probably the biggest determining factors. After
each treatment we fragment a little bit more ink and a
little deeper into your skin. Blistering and scabbing often
follows for a week or two. We see some tattoos disappear
within 2 to 3 treatments, as well as in some cases seeing
tattoos requiring 8 to 10 or more treatments for complete
removal. Taking care of the treated area is the most
important factor in removing a tattoo without a scar.
Q:
Is the process painful?
A:
Most or our patients say that the laser treatment feels like
being snapped by a rubber band and that the discomfort is
roughly equivalent to having a tattoo put on. Almost all of
our patients are able to resume their normal activities
immediately following treatment.
Q:
What about lightening an existing tattoo?
A:
Many tattoo artists encourage customers to receive a minimum
number of laser treatments to lighten an existing tattoo
before covering it with a new one. This will dramatically
reduce any chance of the old tattoo appearing through the
new one. In most cases, a minimum of 2 to 4 treatments is
all that is required in lightening an existing tattoo.
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