Tattoos have fascinated humanity for centuries and won over supporters in different cultures and social strata. From the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans to today's modern society, symbols drawn on the skin have variety of meanings and motives for wearing them - from emphasizing beauty and uniqueness, belonging and the most important moments in life and philosophies, to the need to identity, mark shame or be punished. It is estimated that a every fourth middle-aged person has at least one tattoo, and in recent years it has been the same in Europe, including our country, which doesn't lag behind these trends.

Almost half of all millennials also have at least one tattoo. However, according to the British Dermatological Association, one in three people regret the tattoos, and want to remove them after a while. Motivation to remove tattoos include a new job career, the need to show a certain image at work or new social statuses, as well as very often negative feelings about the significance of the old tattoo.

Unfortunately, removing tattoos is generally more expensive and takes significantly longer than applying them to the skin. Procedures are developed every day that are either too painful, or too expensive, or required patience for a long time. But, if you have really decided to get rid of the mark on your skin that reminds you of an impulsive decision, a bad relationship or prevents you from finding the right job, and no longer has any sedimentary value to you, we will point out one of the most effective methods.

The most effective laser removal

Whatever your reason for removing tattoos, laser removal is the most effective way to remove them. Advances in laser system have also made it easier to remove unwanted tattoos. An experienced tattoo remover which is a doctor, will be able to safely remove unwanted art of from your body, with minimal side effects. Lasers emit a beam of light energy of different wavelengths that passes through the upper layers of the skin and is selectively absorbed into the parts of the tattoo coated with ink.

This energy quickly requires and breaks down the tattoo pigments into tiny fragments, which are then absorbed and cleared from the body by the immune system. Laser treatments safely and effectively remove the tattoo without damaging the surrounding skin. The laser used to remove the tattoo will depend on the color and location of the tattoo. Different types of lasers can target different colors. The pigment of the black tattoo absorbs all laser wavelengths, which makes it the easiest color to treat. Other colors can be treat only with selected lasers based on the color of the pigment. A consultation with a trained professional who can evaluate the tattoo and advice on further procedure should be scheduled first. The number of treatments required will depend on the age, size and color/colors of the tattoo. An experienced dermatologist will know which laser remover is best for your unique tattoo.

For example, one laser will be able to target black and green tattoos, while the other laser will be able to target red, yellow and blue. It usually takes 3-10 treatments depends on the size of the tattoo, the color, the location, the type of ink used, the color and the ability of the skin to regenerate after the treatment.

Number of treatments

Most doctors recommend that tattoo removal treatments be performed every 4--6 weeks for optimal removal results. With all the advances in laser technology. it is possible to remove any tattoo, regardless of color and location. Different lasers can safely and effectively remove tattoos of different colors. Tattoo removal usually requires asking the question - how many laser treatments are needed to completely remove the tattoo? In most cases, it takes 3-10 treatments to remove the tattoo as much as possible. It is not guaranteed that the tattoo will be completely erased, but an experienced dermatologist will do his best to free you from your tattoo as much as possible. Also, the number of treatments is determined by the color and location of the tattoo.

Partial removal

Frequently asked questions are whether only part of the tattoo can be removed. Lasers are very precise and can treat small target areas, so you can only removed the desired part of the tattoo. Certain colors respond much better to laser treatments than others. Black, red, green and navy blue are the easiest and fastest to remove. In contrast, purple, brown, light orange and light blue colors are more difficult to remove and require more treatment sessions. These non-traditional ink paints can occasionally become darker after laser treatment. The depth of the tattoo and the type of ink used are additional factors that determine how easy or difficult it is to remove a tattoo. Finally, skin color also plays a role in the results of laser tattoo removal.

In general, it is easier to remove tattoos from patients with light skin tones. In addition, older tattoos are easier to remove than new ones, because the ink pigment of older tattoos is easier to process with laser. Cosmetic tattoos as permanent makeup and eyebrows can actually become darker after the treatment, so they usually fade with addition sessions and are more persistent to remove.

Scar problem

Very often, patients are tormented by the question of whether the scar will remain after the laser tattoo removal. If you are being treated by a professional laser dermatologist, no scars should remain on the treated surfaces after the laser removal treatment. However, scarring problem is possible with any medical procedure.

Also, the pain that this procedure entails is a fact that often bother patients. To reduce discomfort during laser tattoo removal treatment, you doctor will use a local anesthetic. Many patients report mild irritation or itching after tattoo removal. This can take one to three days after the laser treatment. Your doctor may prescribe a cream with antibiotics and corticosteroids to easy your discomfort. There are numerous soothing creams and balms enriched with hyaluronic acid, panthenol, beta-glucans, niacinamide, soothing plant extracts whose role is to soothe and hydrate damaged skin, prevent its irritation, accelerate regeneration and recovery of damaged skin.

If you are in the sun, the treated area must be absolutely protected both physically and with suitable preparation with a high SPF factor, and the doctor will most likely give you instructions for the protocol after tattoo removal as well as adequate care. The side effect of laser tattoo removal are generally minimal, in the form of redness, swelling, and blisters around the treated area. These side effects are temporary and the skin should calm down completely within one to two weeks.

Wise advice

The cost of tattoo removal varies from patient to patient and depends on the size, color and location of the tattoo. It is difficult to give a good estimate of the price of laser removal because every tattoo is different. Generally, it will cost less per treatment to remove small, black tattoo than removing a large, colorful tattoo.

However, for those who are supporters of natural methods and don't want laser interventions or hiring a plastic surgeon, as an alternative method of tattoo removal, there are numerous tips from tattoo artists as well as experiential solutions on how to remove tattoo naturally. Such solutions are not safe and recommended by the professional public. By using such solutions to remove this decorations on your body at home, you are exposed to the possibility of infections and various other complications, so even without the control and supervision of experts, these methods are not safe.

For those who don't want to experiment, there are specially designed powders for covering tattoos on the market, which very effectively mask unwanted places. However, the best, most effective, and most painless way to remove a permanent tattoo is without doubt the decision not to "make bad tattoo" permanent solution. Remember - make wise choices before you decide to change your body.

Literature and images: Lily's Magazine, number 38, fall 2019.