Whether you’re tired of your ink or your tattoo has been damaged, there may come a time when you want to remove your tattoo. Fortunately, tattoo removal is more effective now than ever before with several laser systems that can restore the natural appearance of your skin. At Laser Skin Solutions Jacksonville in Jacksonville Beach, FL, we have several laser tattoo removal options for you to choose from.
But what can you expect from this treatment? And how many sessions will you need? While every tattoo removal process is unique because every tattoo is different, there are some general estimates you can expect when it comes to this type of laser treatment. Learn more about laser tattoo removal before you schedule a consultation today.
How Many Sessions Are Needed for Laser Tattoo Removal?
In general, most people will need at least six to eight treatment sessions to effectively remove a tattoo. However, the estimated number of sessions you will need for tattoo removal will depend on the type of laser treatment you are using and details about the tattoo, such as the age of the tattoo, the size of the tattoo, and the type of pigment used for the tattoo.
One of the biggest factors that will determine how many sessions you will need to remove a tattoo will be the size of your body art. Larger tattoos may frequently take 10 or more sessions to remove, while smaller or minimalist tattoos can be removed in three or four sessions. The depth of the pigment and the technique used to place your tattoo will also determine how many sessions you will need.
Why Professional Tattoos May Be Harder To Remove
Professional tattoos are generally harder to remove than amateur tattoos. This is generally because professional tattoo artists use high-quality pigments that are difficult to break up and they also use professional equipment that deposits ink deeper into the skin. By contrast, amateur tattoos typically sit on the upper layers of the skin.
The fact that professional tattoos are harder to remove is ironically also why people prefer to have professional tattoos over amateur tattoos. Body art is an expensive investment, so many people with tattoos opt to have professional work because they can be more certain about the quality of the ink and the artist. When it comes time to remove professional tattoos, this means you will also need to invest in quality removal practices.
Why Certain Pigments Are Harder To Remove
Most tattoo removal systems work by detecting ink pigment that is darker than the surrounding ink tone and heating this pigment until it shatters in the sub-dermal layers of the skin. This is why it’s much easier to remove grayscale or black-pigment tattoos. However, colorful tattoos or tattoos that don’t have a high level of contrast with the natural skin tone may be more difficult to remove, which is why peach and white ink may be impossible to fully remove.
By the same token, the type of pigment can also have a huge impact on how easy it is to remove a tattoo. For example, cosmetic tattoos are usually made to mimic the appearance of the skin, which means these tattoos will use natural-looking pigments. But because the type of pigment contains less ink, these natural-toned tattoos can be easier to remove with certain laser systems.
Why Newer Tattoos May Be Harder To Remove
Finally, newer tattoos may be harder to remove than older tattoos. This is usually because older tattoos have already experienced some fading over the years, whereas the pigment in new tattoos is very fresh and more resistant to being shattered by laser treatments. If you have a new tattoo, then you may want to wait six to 12 months before seeking any removal treatments so your treatment will be more effective.
How Frequent Are Your Sessions?
Many patients are sometimes eager to quickly remove a tattoo, but as a general rule, it’s better to take your time with tattoo removal. While you may have gotten your tattoo in only a few hours, it will take much more time to break up the ink pigment without damaging the surface of your skin. Since the goal of laser tattoo removal is to preserve the skin, then it’s important to ensure adequate time is given between treatments and that you have enough sessions to fully remove the unwanted tattoo.
The ideal treatment frequency for tattoo removal is about one session every three months. This frequency will give the skin enough time to recover between sessions and enough time to flush out shattered ink. To get ideal results, completely removing a tattoo may be a process that takes a year or more depending on the specific tattoo.
What Options Do You Have for Laser Tattoo Removal?
There are several laser treatments that are designed for tattoo removal. The Enlighten laser is a new second-generation picosecond laser that uses dual wavelengths and dual pulse durations to more effectively remove tattoos, sometimes in half the time than other treatments. PicoSure is a time-honored tattoo removal system that is ideal for removing brighter pigments.
The most traditional tattoo removal system is the Q-Switch laser, which is ideal for tattoos that have ink molecules too dense or dark for other treatments. The Alex TriVantage system is another Q-Switched laser with a dual-wavelength that can be used on a wide ranger of skin types and tones.
Which Laser System Is the Best?
When it comes to selecting the best laser tattoo removal system for you, the factors that are usually considered are your skin tone and the details about your tattoo. For example, PicoSure is the best match for colorful tattoos with green, teal, and blue, while a traditional Q-Switch laser is ideal for very large and very dark tattoos.
The reason why the appearance of your tattoo matter is because the type of ink used in your tattoo will determine how effective the laser treatment is. Picosecond lasers work better with tattoo pigments that have smaller molecules, whereas Q-Switched lasers work better with tattoos that have darker pigments and larger molecules. Ultimately, we will assess your tattoo and select the best laser system for you during your consultation.
Is There a Way To Speed Up Tattoo Removal?
If the prospect of spending over a year removing a tattoo doesn’t sound exciting to you, then you’re not alone. For this reason, you may be happy to learn about the DeScribe PFD Patch, a unique tool that can help your tattoo removal sessions be faster, more comfortable, and more effective. This recently FDA-approved patch can be used simply by placing it over the tattoo that is being treated, which then creates a barrier that allows the tattoo to be treated several times each session.
This patch will both draw heat away from your skin and also reduce the scattering of the light wavelengths used in your system. Essentially, this patch enhances the effectiveness of any laser removal treatment and allows patients to enjoy a more comfortable treatment process with significantly less post-treatment healing.
Other Ways To Speed Up Tattoo Removal
Along with the DeScribe PFD Patch, there are other things you can do to speed up your tattoo removal. In many ways, the biggest portion of your tattoo removal process is your skin recovery, so anything you can do to help promote the health of your skin will help you achieve faster results. This means you should boost your immune system with vitamins, increase your water intake, and have a balanced diet with regular exercise. Reducing your stress and getting more sleep can also be helpful for promoting skin health.
In terms of recovery, you can also be sure to keep your skin moisturized. Studies show that skin that is moisturized recovers more quickly, so applying simple lotions with gentle formulas, aloe vera, or even plain Vaseline can help your skin heal faster. You should also be sure to wear SPF when you plan to be outside so you can avoid hyperpigmentation concerns between treatment sessions.
Tired of Your Ink? Remove Your Tattoos Today
Modern laser treatments for tattoo removal are highly effective at removing tattoos of every age, size, and color. Regardless of why you want to remove your tattoo, you should be able to achieve your goals within at least six to eight treatments or more, which can be a process that lasts over a year. Please contact Laser Skin Solutions Jacksonville in Jacksonville Beach, FL to schedule your consultation today.
