Mistakes happen. Whether you lost a bet or got a tattoo to symbolize an important moment in your life, there may come a time where you have to get your tattoo removed. Luckily, laser tattoo removal isn’t a new phenomenon. However, you need to be aware of what happens during the process to make it a successful procedure. Whether you’re considering removing one tattoo or multiple, be sure you understand these five things about the process.
You’ll Need Multiple Treatments
One treatment isn’t going to get the job done. This is one reason the tattoo removal cost is so high. It takes up to a dozen treatments spread out over the course of several months to completely and safely remove a tattoo. There isn’t a standard amount of treatments you have to go through since everyone’s skin is different. As long as you understand it’s a long process, you’ll be mentally prepared for the procedure.
Location Matters
Tattoos on your arms or legs will generally take longer to fade since they don’t get as much blood circulation. In that sense, if your tattoo is closer to the heart, you may not require as many treatments.
It Will Be Painful
You have to have a high pain tolerance to get tattoos removed. In some cases, the removal is more painful than actually getting the tattoo inked. Since the removal process takes a longer amount of time, you will likely experience some pain and discomfort for several weeks during the process.
Skin Tones React Differently
Depending on your skin tone, you may have darker or lighter pigmentation in the tattoo’s former spot for several months. This darkening or lightening of the skin is called hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation and can be corrected after several treatments. You just may have to walk around with unsightly skin for a while until then.
You Will Experience Side Effects
Almost everyone experiences at least minor side effects when going through the laser tattoo removal process. You could experience scarring, skin texture changes, swelling, blisters and even infections. Each person reacts differently, but it’s important to understand these common side effects.
Don’t let an unsightly tattoo keep you from being proud of your body. If you need to get a tattoo removed, contact us to set up an appointment or a consultation at any time.