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Is Tattoo Removal Pain As Painful As Getting A Tattoo?
If you’re particularly sensitive to pain, or if you have a tattoo in a particularly sensitive area, then laser tattoo removal may be uncomfortable but tolerable. Most people think that laser tattoo removal is less painful than getting an actual tattoo. The feeling is similar to having a rubber band snapped against your skin. Some people say it feels more like a rapid succession of tiny pricks, or someone scratching a sunburn. Laser tattoo removal on areas with more fat, such as the arms or the buttocks, is generally not as painful as areas where there is less fat or close to a bone, such as a neck, ankle, or finger. If you’re concerned about pain, LaserAway offers a topical anesthetic and cooling device during the treatment to help you feel more comfortable.
Laser tattoo removal works by targeting pigment ink in the skin’s dermis, the layer of skin between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissues. The laser emits light beams, which are absorbed by the pigment and then fragmented as a result. The body then absorbs and eliminates the pigmented fragments.
The Q-switch laser is the gold standard laser used in tattoo removal. It produces pulses of light boasting an extremely high peak power. Several types of Q-switch lasers exist, and each one targets a different color spectrum at different wavelengths. Because Q-switch lasers are so precise and intense, tattoo pigments fragment instantly, resulting in minimal damage to the surrounding tissue.
With each laser pulse, most people experience a sensation similar to a rubber band snapping against their skin.
Before a laser tattoo removal session starts, you’ll receive a topical anesthetic cream and protective eyewear along with a cooling device. The clinician will then place a handpiece against your skin and deliver laser pulses to the tattoo pigment. The amount of laser pulses depends on the tattoo’s size, but most treatment sessions only last a few minutes.
Does Laser Tattoo Removal Hurt Afterward?
Minimally. You may experience minor bleeding, redness, swelling, and blistering for several hours or days following treatment. Your skin will likely feel tender to the touch. The next several weeks may see the treated area flaking, peeling, and scabbing. While the site is healing, you should avoid sun exposure and public swimming pools. Once the body has had time to metabolize the broken up ink particles, (usually two months after treatment), you can undergo additional sessions.
Amateur tattoos are also a lot easier to remove than professional ones because the ink tends to be less dense.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED
The number of laser tattoo removal sessions you’ll need depends on several different factors. The older the tattoo, for instance, the easier it is to remove. Amateur tattoos are also a lot easier to remove than professional ones because the ink tends to be less dense. Tattoos located on your extremities, however, are more difficult to remove because the circulation isn’t as good in those areas.
Why LaserAway?
We’ve committed over a decade to helping people of all skin types discover their best skin ever, with over 5 million treatments performed and new locations opening every month! We use state-of-the-art technology for maximum results, our clinics are supervised by board-certified, industry-leading dermatologists, and our treatments are implemented by registered nurses, nurse practitioners or physician associates who undergo one of the most comprehensive training programs in the business. Our mission is to make our clients feel beautiful by providing the best and most effective aesthetic treatments in the nation in a friendly, relaxed environment.
Ready to invest in yourself? Schedule a free consultation today by filling out a request form or calling the LaserAway staff at (855) 233-9134. Our nurses look forward to making sure your service and skin are as smooth as possible!
