5 Myths about Laser Tattoo Removal Debunked
Having tattoos removed by laser is both effective and safe to do, but many people with tattoos they no longer want are put off of the idea by a few prevalent myths about the procedure. Some of these myths cause people to be anxious about things that will never happen in reality, while others give them unrealistic expectations about how tattoo removal really works.
This article aims to debunk some of the most common myths about laser tattoo removals and provide facts about the procedure instead.
- It is painful
The first thing that comes to most people’s minds when they think about lasers meeting skin is pain. It is easy to jump to the assumption that laser tattoo removal involves burning the skin, but this is far from the case.
Although many people report some discomfort during the procedure, it is usually less than they experienced when they got the tattoo originally. Most tattoo removalists also use numbing agents to minimise discomfort as much as possible.
- It leaves scars
It is true that some people who have undergone laser tattoo removal have scars, and it is easy to assume that these must have been caused by the laser. But the reality is that insufficient aftercare or skin conditions are responsible for most instances of scarring. Modern lasers in the hands of qualified professionals are very unlikely to leave a scar provided that people follow the aftercare instructions correctly.
- You only need one session
Tattoo removal works by using the laser to heat up the ink particles in your skin. This causes them to break up into even smaller particles, which your body’s immune system can then start to get rid of. It is effective, but it is not a fast process. To avoid damaging the skin, this is typically done several times with a few weeks in between each session. The required number of sessions can be affected by things like the size and colour of the tattoo.
- Dark tattoos are harder to remove
This is another example where our first intuitions about the procedure are incorrect, like they were with pain and scarring. While it seems to make sense that lighter colours will disappear faster, this is not true because the laser is not making the tattoo fade like a photograph exposed to direct sunlight would. Because the process works by heating up the ink particles, it is the heat-absorbing dark colours that disappear faster.
- It is not effective with old tattoos
The opposite of this is true. Over time, your body’s immune system will have broken down some of the ink already, so old tattoos typically require fewer sessions to remove.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this has helped clear up a few concerns you might have about laser tattoo removal. These are often based on incorrect intuitions or bad information. In reality, it is safe and effective, and any qualified professional will be happy to answer your questions before you agree to the procedure.
