the rise in popularity of tattoos over the past few decades, it’s not surprising that there’s been a similar increase in the number of people with tattoos that make them feel a little…well, embarrassed.
Of course, tattoos always seem like a great idea at the time! You might bask in the glow of your fresh ink for days, or weeks, or maybe even months.
But sometimes the glow fades and you’re left with a permanent reminder of something that now feels like a mistake.
If this sounds familiar, you might be wondering, what is the best way to remove a tattoo?
What Is The Best Way To Remove A Tattoo?
Maybe you’ve considered tattoo removal creams or home remedies like using salt and water to remove the ink embedded in your skin.
According to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), not a single over-the-counter tattoo at home removal cream or ointment has proven to be effective. These ointments can also cause rashes and burning, and in some cases even scarring.
Using salt and water to remove tattoos will have you end up with scarring or a bad infection, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Experts consider laser tattoo removal the most successful and cost-effective method for removing tattoos.
There are many reasons to choose laser tattoo removal over other methods. For one, laser tattoo removal is easy. It doesn’t require any preparation or post-treatment therapy.
Laser tattoo removal is safe. It has few side effects or pain. It’s also FDA-approved.
It’s also fast, efficient, and requires no downtime.
So, how does this seemingly miraculous laser treatment work?
How Laser Tattoo Removal Works
Until recently, most tattoos were removed with Q-switched lasers. These days, most tattoo removal is done with picosecond laser technology. The most advanced type of picosecond lasers is the Enlighten III or PicoWay Laser.
The Enlighten III combines three different wavelengths, along with both picosecond and nanosecond laser technology. The laser sends out a pulse of energy, which heats up the ink in your skin and dissolves it.
When the laser hits the skin, it begins to break down the ink particles. These particles then get digested by the body’s immune system. Every time you go in for a removal session, the laser breaks down more particles of pigment.
The best part is that all of this is done without any heat! So there is zero damage to your skin.
How Effective Is Laser Tattoo Removal?
You may have heard that laser tattoo removal isn’t completely effective. That used to be the case. Lasers had a hard time with certain colors.
The lasers tattoo removal professionals use today, like the Enlighten 3 Laser by Cutera, are far superior and stronger. They can remove your tattoo completely and permanently. There’s 1000’s of tattoo removal before and afters for you to see as proof.
Is Laser Tattoo Removal Permanent
Yes, the results of tattoo removal are permanent!
Thanks to the new PicoSure technology, laser removal can get any color out, including yellows and greens.
The Enlighten III laser in particular works on all skin types. It changes its wavelength to target different colors. You’ll see results after your very first treatment. You should continue to see results with every following treatment.
How Much Does Laser Tattoo Removal Cost?
Honestly, laser tattoo removal can be expensive. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery lists the average cost to remove a tattoo at $463 for each session.
However on average it can range from anywhere between $200 and $1500 per treatment session depending on the size of the tattoo being removed.
At Miami skin Spa our tattoo removal starts at $150 per session, and even less if packages are purchased.
Cost can vary. It’s based on the size of the tattoo and the number of sessions required and the amount of time each session will take. Details like the color of ink used (black tattoos are the easiest to remove, whereas only the Enlighten 3 can remove green ink), the amount of ink, the density, type of tattoo, and the age of the tattoo all factor into the cost.
Keep in mind that tattoo removal isn’t often covered by insurance companies. It’s considered to be a cosmetic procedure.
At the end of the day, it’s worth it to not have to walk through life with a tattoo you regret on your body.
How Long Is A Tattoo Removal Session?
The length of the procedure is based upon the size and color of the tattoo you want to remove. Most often, a session can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour.
It is important to keep in mind that every person’s tattoo removal needs, just like everyone’s skin, are different.
Removing your tattoo entirely will require more than one laser removal session and the potential of a dozen sessions or more.
The number of treatments you’ll need can vary because of many different factors. Some factors include how long ago you got the tattoo, the number of colors involved, and the size of the tattoo. Basically, it depends on how much ink is in your skin.
How Fast is Laser Tattoo Removal
You’ll need to wait between 8 to 12 weeks between sessions. This is called the regeneration period. Your body needs this time to break down as much of the ink particles as possible and your skin needs time to go through the necessary healing process between treatments.
It’s also worth remembering that everyone’s body eliminates ink from the skin at different rates. For some, it may come out easily, while for others it takes many laser removal sessions.
Before making an appointment, it’s a good idea to consult a professional so they can determine how many sessions you’ll probably need.
Is Tattoo Removal Painful?
For most people, there is minimal to no pain. Those with more sensitive pain receptors may experience very mild discomfort.
When preparing your skin for the treatment, an aesthetician will apply a topical numbing cream or ointment to dull the sensation of the laser. This is especially important when removing a large tattoo as it can get quite painful. This is very effective at reducing any discomfort you might experience.
Although there are no side effects to the laser tattoo removal process when using the Enlighten 3 laser, you may experience some scabbing while your skin heals. It is important to avoid exposing the area to sunlight until it is completely healed. Make good use of that sunscreen!
Schedule Your Tattoo Removal Consultation
At Miami Skin Spa we’re experts in laser tattoo removal! And if you have any questions on tattoo removal we’re here to help.
We use the Enlighten III laser to remove your unwanted tattoo in a way that is painless, cost-effective, and causes no damage to your skin.
Stop wondering what is the best way to remove a tattoo. Schedule a free consultation today!