How does that old saying go? “In this world, nothing is certain, except death, taxes, and tattoos”?
This is what our grandparents believed, that poor tattoo choices led to lifelong regret. Luckily, this is no longer the case.
As technology advances, tattoo removal is becoming easier and more successful. If you’re thinking of getting rid of some ink, read on to discover more about the process of getting a tattoo removed.
1) No Quick Fix
Unfortunately, you can’t just pop down to your local tattoo parlor for a quick tattoo removal. The process is no walk in the park, with most removals taking an average of eight to 12 sessions.
Your skin will need to blister and then recover, so you’ll have to allow four to eight weeks for your skin to heal between appointments. This adds up to a long and tedious year in the chair, but at the end of the day, it’ll be worth it.
2) A Chunk of Change
Tattoo removal leaves your piggy bank a whole lot lighter than you’d think. A removal session can set you back anywhere between $200 and $1,200, with the average person paying around $460 per session. Considering most people need about 10 sessions to get the job done, the costs soon add up.
It’s important to remember that budget removals will give you budget results. It’s best to have your tattoos removed by a qualified professional, like those at Better Off. Check out this link to find a local office.
3) Does It Hurt to Get a Tattoo Removed?
Tattoo removal involves some of the strongest lasers on the market. These lasers cause the ink particles in your skin to explode and shatter into smaller pieces. After a few treatments, these ink fragments will be small enough to be absorbed by your body.
Luckily, you’ll receive a local anesthetic to reduce the tattoo removal pain before each session. After each session, your skin will blister and scab as it recovers from the lasers. You’ll need to carefully dress it to avoid infection.
4) No Two Tats Are the Same
There are a lot of variables involved in laser tattoo removal. Older tattoos have a tendency to fade a little, making them easier to remove than newer ink.
Colored tattoos are harder to remove than plain black tattoos. This is because the laser has an easier time picking up darker colors that contrast with your skin tone. On this note, tattoos are a lot harder to remove from darker skin as the contrast between the skin and the dark ink is harder to distinguish.
The further a tattoo is from your heart, the longer it takes to remove it. This is because the decreased blood circulation in these areas delays the healing process.
5) Side Effects
Skin conditions, including burns, scars, infections, and irritations are all possible side effects of tattoo removal.
The skin around the affected area may also become a few shades lighter or darker. This will correct itself, but you’ll have a different colored patch of skin for a year or so as you go through the removal process.
Now You Know What to Expect When Getting a Tattoo Removed
While removing tattoos is now possible, it’s no piece of cake. Hopefully, this peek into the process of getting a tattoo removed will help you decide if your tattoo is really so bad after all.
If you do decide to have a tattoo removed, seek out the advice of a qualified dermatologist to give you the best chance of success.
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