Tattoos can be a lot of fun. But since tattoos are permanent, there are a fair amount of people who end up regretting their tattoos later on in life.
At least 12% of Americans with a tattoo regret their decision. Luckily, there are a variety of different tattoo removal options available to people who want to remove tattoos from their bodies.
And of all the options, laser tattoo removal is the only non-invasive tattoo removal treatment that works. Nowadays, people don’t have to save up for very expensive and complex procedures to remove unwanted tattoo ink from their bodies.
However, before going in for laser tattoo removal treatment, it’s important to know what it is, how it works, and what kinds of tattoos it can remove.
In this post, we will discuss just that.
That way, you go into the clinic with realistic expectations about the laser tattoo removal treatment. Laser tattoo removal in New York is a very popular option for many people. So, before your initial consultation, go through this guide to learn more about the process and results.
How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?
Tattoo removal used to be complicated.
Back in the day, we didn’t have that many options when it came to tattoo removal. In fact, most people were stuck having to live with their unwanted tattoo or save up for excision surgery. This isn’t only expensive, but it left a major scar.
On the other hand, laser tattoo removal in New York is a simpler and non-invasive procedure to remove tattoo ink. As the name suggests, technicians use laser technology to target specific areas of the body to remove tattoos.
But how do lasers remove tattoos in the first place?
The reason leader technology is used for tattoo removal is because it breaks up the ink particles. The laser tattoo removal process works by breaking up the ink particles to a point that the white blood cells absorb the ink to eliminate the foreign substance.
In other words, the laser breaks down the ink. From there, the ink is dispersed around the surrounding skin where the white blood cells absorb it to remove the substance. Sounds pretty straightforward, right?
After zapping the tattoo area, the white blood cells will slowly start to do the work. Laser treatment is designed to help the body remove the tattoo. Additionally, one laser tattoo removal session won’t be enough to break down all the ink particles.
So, you may have to come back for additional cosmetic laser treatments, depending on your condition.
Remember: Tattoo Removal Isn’t a Quick-Fix
Before you go in for laser tattoo removal work, you need to remember that it won’t instantly fix your problem.
We get it; You want to have that tattoo removed as soon as possible. But remember, tattoos are designed to be permanent, so removing tattoos is a very complicated process, whether you opt for laser tattoo treatment or other invasive options.
After your first laser tattoo removal session, you might still see a fair amount of ink. In fact, there still might be ink in your body after your last laser tattoo removal sessions.
Why is this?
Well, this is because laser tattoo removal treatments aren’t supposed to instantly remove the tattoos. Instead, it breaks up the ink particles and spreads them out in the surrounding skin area where the white blood cells can absorb the ink.
So, after the sessions, your body still has to react and do its job to remove the ink. Instead of viewing it as a quick fix for unwanted ink, think of laser tattoo removal as a way to encourage your body to get rid of the ink particles on its own.
And since all bodies are different, different people need a different amount of tattoo removal treatments.
Does Laser Tattoo Removal Completely Remove the Tattoo Ink?
Laser tattoo removal work doesn’t exactly remove the ink. When you go in for laser treatments for your tatts, all the laser technology does is break apart the particles.
When you get a tattoo, the ink stays on your skin because the particles are too large for your white blood cells to absorb.
But with laser technology, technicians can break down the particles into smaller and more absorbable sizes.
This is what actually happens to tattoo ink during laser tattoo removal and it doesn’t exactly remove the ink right away. Pretty cool, right?
How Much Does Laser Tattoo Removal Cost?
The laser tattoo removal cost depends on a number of factors. To start, you have to consider the size of your tattoo. The larger unwanted tattoos you want to treat, the more expensive the process. On top of that, larger tattoos will require multiple treatments to encourage complete removal, ideally between 6 to 8 sessions, and in some cases even more.
However, the average range for getting laser treatments to remove tattoos in New York ranges from $200-$400. If you wish to get rid of green inks and eliminate a tattoo completely, you might want to consider looking into later tattoo removal.
What Kinds of Tattoos Can Be Removed?
Not all tattoos can be removed with laser tattoo removal. While the technology behind tattoo removal in NYC has progressed very far recently and can handle most ink colors and types, not all tattoos can be removed.
Many factors go into whether or not tattoo removal will work for you. For example, your skin type and skin color play a big role in whether or not lasers will effectively treat your concern.
With that said, there’s a common myth that laser tattoo removal won’t work on darker skin tones. While there is some anecdotal evidence of this online, there have been no studies to confirm this.
Additionally, newer tattoos are harder to remove. So, if you have unwanted tattoos, you will have better luck getting rid of the older ones with laser tattoo removal compared to the newer ones.
What Happens When I Go In for Laser Tattoo Removal?
So, if you think you’re a good candidate for laser tattoo removal sessions, you may want to know the process before going in for a consultation. If you go in for laser tattoo removal in New York, here are some of the things you can expect;
Consultation
To start, you have to go in for a consultation. During this process, a professional will take a look at the tattoo. From there, they can determine if laser tattoo removal will work for that particular tattoo and how many treatments you will likely need.
The best tattoo removal facilities will be honest with you. And if your tattoo is in an area where it can’t be removed or it’s too fresh, they should tell you that it will be harder to remove your tattoo.
There are many things that determine the cost and number of laser tattoo removal sessions you need to get rid of unwanted ink. A tattoo responds differently to every person, so there is a whole lot of variables to consider before your first treatment session.
Additionally, during the consultation, be as honest as possible. Let them know if the tattoos are professional tattoos or amateur tattoos, as well as answer any questions they may have. This is how doctors and professionals give you the best laser tattoo removal service possible.
The Treatment
Once you’ve agreed on a treatment plan, here’s what to expect for your first session.
To start, you will wear protective goggles. This is to protect your eyes from laser energy that can damage this part of your body. During the treatment session, you may feel some pain because of how the laser hits the skin.
In fact, many people say that laser tattoo removal can hurt more than the original tattooing process. It can feel a bit more intense than a rubber band snapping, but that largely depends on your own pain tolerance.
While you may be able to request a topical numbing cream, not all facilities may offer this. Additionally, these creams are known to be largely ineffective during treatment sessions anyway.
After-Care
After your laser tattoo removal sessions, your body’s immune system will take charge. However, since laser tattoo removal is quite painful, you will immediately be given an ice pack to soothe the pain and a bandage will be applied.
Generally, all you have to do is take care of the area after getting the procedure to prevent infections. Additionally, while you can shower the next day, it’s best not to scrub the area as that can be painful and agitate the affected area.
Laser Tattoo Removal is a Lifesaver
We’ve all done things in life that we regret.
And for many of us, these mistakes manifest themselves in spur-of-the-moment and impulsive tattoos. But lucky for us, we don’t live in a time where tattoo removal involved scalpels and other complex procedures.
If you’re in New York and you have tattoos you want to be removed, there are many places that offer laser tattoo removal. In fact, there are a whole lot of people in New York using the treatment to get rid of their unwanted tatts.
If you’re considering laser tattoo removal in New York City our team here at Manhattan Laser Spa would love to help you achieve your aesthetic goals, just drop us a line or book an appointment with us to get started.