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How to remove a tattoo: what you need to know and tips

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"A tattoo is forever." We say this a lot, perhaps because we are convinced that once we find a heart tattoo, we will never regret it. However, very often things go wrong: memories that we no longer want to have on our skin, a faded design or one that no longer reflects our tastes, or the desire to have skin that looks like a "blank canvas". Whatever the reason for the desire get rid of tattoo, you can now use several effective removal methods.

How to remove a tattoo

The tattoo removal process is never easy, painless, or inexpensive. Therefore, be careful with those who offer you quick and cheap solutions, such as dermabrasion with salt or products that "make the tattoo come to the surface": it is impossible to remove ink molecules that have penetrated and settled under the skin in a short time. So that's all what you need to know before removing a tattoo unwanted.

Always go to the professionals

As we said, tattoo removal is an operation that requires certain skills. The specialist must be able to offer the most modern and effective methods, but also the safest. At the moment, the most modern and effective technique is QS laser, which bombards cells containing ink with very short laser pulses (we're talking nanoseconds and billionths of a second) that break them down into much smaller fragments that are easily absorbed by the skin. After a few weeks and repeated sessions (approximately every 45-60 days), the tattoo will gradually disappear.

Choose the right time to delete

It is not always the right time of the year to go on a tattoo removal journey. For example, starting treatment in the summer is not a good idea, because after the first few sessions it is best not to expose the treated area to the sun. However, a professional in the sector will also be able to advise you on this matter.

How many sessions do you need? 

It is unlikely that a professional will be able to say for sure how many sessions it will take for the tattoo to fade. Much depends on the size of the tattoo, the phototype of your skin (light, dark, olive, black, etc.), how deep the ink has penetrated into the skin, the type of color used, and so on. The lucky ones usually spend about 3-5 sessions, while more complex cases require up to 12 sessions.

Are there colors or tattoos that cannot be removed? 

As we said in the previous point, the success of the removal depends on several factors. In general, old tattoos are easier to remove because over time, the skin has already gotten rid of some of the pigment. Instead, professional tattoos are done with rich colors and applied deep into the skin to preserve its beauty. Therefore, their removal may take longer. In addition, there are colors that are usually more difficult or even impossible to remove completely. Among them are yellow, blue and green. While red, due to some of the iron components that are sometimes used to create pigment, can change color and darken.

Is laser tattoo removal painful? 

Let's be honest, laser tattoo removal is not a pleasant and painful thing. But don't worry: An anesthetic cream is usually applied, which makes the treatment more bearable from session to session.

It is also true that compared to what it was a few years ago, the tattoo removal technique has made great strides and the whole process is less painful than before.

For which skin types is tattoo removal most effective?

Yes, the darker the skin, the harder it will be to get rid of the tattoo. It is also not recommended for those who are prone to hypertrophic scarring or have active skin infections. The specialist selected for removal will also be informed if you are taking photosensitizing drugs or other types of medication.

How does the skin look after the procedure? 

The laser essentially "burns" the cells, destroying them. Therefore, it is normal for blisters, similar to those from burns, to form immediately after treatment and within a few days. With the help of special creams and ointments with antibiotics, covered with soft and vaseline gauze, you can relieve the discomfort of the first two to three days, up to the formation of crusts.

It is not always possible to completely erase a tattoo.

Despite the treatment, the laser is not always sufficient to remove the tattoo. As we said, many factors affect the success of the removal, such as skin type, tattoo color, size and age of the tattoo. Very often, even after successful treatment, you can see what experts call "Ghost Tattoo", a halo at the site of the tattoo that can last for years, if not forever. However, the ghost of a tattoo is nothing more than a shadow, barely visible and barely noticeable.