We all have decisions we’ve made that we regret, but some are more noticeable than others. Tattoos used to be for life, but now if you have a tattoo that you don’t like, whether it was a youthful mistake or just something that doesn’t fit your style anymore, you don’t have to keep it. At Bella Tu Medspa in Nyack, NJ, we offer laser tattoo removal to those in and around our city and in the New City, NY area.
How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?
Though the science that operates the lasers is advanced, the principle behind laser tattoo removal is simple. The particles of ink in the skin that make up the tattoo are broken down into smaller pieces by the laser, and then your body’s own waste elimination systems remove the tiny pieces of ink via the bloodstream.
This works in a similar fashion to the natural fading of tattoos when exposed to sun and friction. Remember your tattooist telling you to put on your sunscreen and avoid causing trauma to your tattoos? That was because the sun and other factors cause the same breakdown of pigment in the skin.
Does It Work the Same on All Tattoos?
The removal process has some commonalities between clients but will be tailored individually to your own tattoo. This is because of a number of different factors that affect the process.
Color
Firstly, the color of your tattoo will make a difference, as the different colors of ink absorb the laser energy in different ways. For example, while black tattoo pigment absorbs all laser wavelengths, other colors are less absorbent and may require a particular laser in order to be broken down and removed. This may mean that if you have several tattoos you want to be removed, it may take longer to eliminate some than it does others.
Depth and Quality
Secondly, the depth of your tattoo will affect how your treatment works. When your tattooist did your tattoo, they applied the ink in different layers at different depths of your skin. This was in order to make the tattoo bold and long-lasting. Depending on the different depths of the tattoo, you may require more or fewer sessions in order to target each layer of ink.
Age
Thirdly, the age of the tattoo may affect how we remove it. You will have noticed that as your tattoos age, they tend to become less saturated. This is part of the natural functions of your body as it breaks down some of the pigment in your skin, along with removing old dead cells. This means that if your tattoo is older, it may be easier to remove and is likely to take fewer sessions to get rid of than a fresher, more pigmented tattoo.
Other Factors That Make a Difference
The placement of the tattoo on your body will also affect the removal process. Some areas of the body have greater blood flow and are closer to lymph nodes; this means that there are more white blood cells on hand to remove the pigment fragments from the area and into the bloodstream. Tattoos on the upper or lower back, or on the face or neck are likely to be quicker to remove, whereas those on the legs, feet, and hands may take longer.
Your immune system will make a difference when you’re getting a tattoo removed. If you have a strong immune system, it is possible that your tattoo will be eliminated more quickly. If you want your tattoo to go more quickly, you can attempt to boost your immune system by staying active, increasing your metabolic rate, and staying hydrated.
The skill of your original tattoo artist will also have an effect on your laser tattoo removal. If you got your tattoo from a trained artist, they should not have caused any scarring when doing your tattoo. However, if you did your tattoo yourself at home, or got a friend to do it, you may find that there has been scarring in the layers of your skin. This may trap the tattoo pigment in the skin and make it more difficult to remove.
Get in Touch
If you are interested in having a tattoo removed, for whatever reason, the best move is to get in touch with us for a consultation. We will be able to advise you on the best way to move forward with the removal, and may even be able to give you an estimate of how many sessions the process will take. We can also explain in detail the laser process and address any questions or concerns that you may have.
Make Your Skin as Good as New
Whether you are looking to forget an old relationship, move away from an old style, or towards a new job, we can help you. You don’t have to continue to look at a tattoo you don’t want but can get rid of it quickly and effectively with laser tattoo removal. Get in touch with a member of our team today at Bella Tu Medspa in Nyack, NJ to find out more about the process or to book your initial consultation.