Debunking Four Common Myths About Laser Tattoo Removal

Despite the initial excitement you had for your tattoo when you first received it, things change. No matter the reason you have for wanting your tattoo gone, laser tattoo removal is the most effective way to do so. Laser removal technology has greatly advanced over the years, but old myths are still lingering around. To help you decipher fact from fiction, the experts at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center have compiled four misconceptions we commonly hear about laser tattoo removal.

Myth #1: New tattoos are easier to remove than older ones.
While you may think that fresher tattoos are more responsive to laser treatment, the opposite is true. Laser tattoo removal works by using wavelengths of light to target specific pigments in the tattoo’s ink. The lasers break the ink into miniscule particles which the body then absorbs. Since tattoos tend to naturally fade over time, the ink of older tattoos is much easier to remove because part of the job is already done. Additionally, laser tattoo removal requires your tattoo to be fully healed, so the older the tattoo is, the easier it is going to be to treat it.

Myth #2: Treating a tattoo is time-consuming.
There are a number of factors such as size, color, depth of ink and age that go into determining how many tattoo laser removal treatments a patient will require to remove their tattoo. For the best results, these treatments are normally spaced four to six weeks apart from each other. However, these individual treatments tend to not be time-consuming at all. In fact, a typical tattoo removal session lasts 20 minutes or less depending on the tattoo’s size. While the overall process can take time, the time spent in each appointment isn’t as long as most think.

Myth #3: Tattoo removal requires no pre- or post-treatment care.
While it is very uncommon to have side effects from laser tattoo removal, patients that fail to follow pre- and post-treatment instructions are more at risk of experiencing complications. Not following proper care guidelines can result in hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, blistering, infection, scabbing or bruising. Our licensed providers are expertly trained and will provide you with specific instructions to make your treatments as smooth as possible.

Myth #4: Black ink is hard to remove.
Out of all the colors of ink, black is the easiest to remove. Most colorful inks are complex and contain a lot of additives while black is simplistic and extremely receptive to laser treatment. Colorful tattoos tend to require more treatment sessions and need to be treated with unique wavelengths of lasers. Here at Laser Lights, we have a wide variety of FDA-approved tattoo removal lasers that can target tattoos of all colors including green, which is one of the most difficult colors to remove.

If you’ve been thinking about saying goodbye to your tattoo once and for all, now is the perfect time to begin laser tattoo removal treatments. For more information about tattoo removal or if you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center today. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for even more skincare and tattoo removal updates.