Are you feeling tired of your tattoo? Do you wish you’d never gotten it in the first place? If so, you have more company than you may think.

A recent survey found that 75% of interviewees regretted at least one of their tattoos. The extent to which they regretted their tattoos varied, ranging from mild irritation to the desire to have it removed entirely. 

If you find yourself wanting to get a tattoo removed, you’re probably wondering what your options are. Is laser tattoo removal safe? Are there better alternatives?

Read on to learn everything there is to know about laser tattoo removal and why it’s actually the safest and most effective way to get rid of your unwanted ink. 

What Is Laser Tattoo Removal?

Laser tattoo removal is the latest in tattoo removal procedures. The lasers used for tattoo removal emit a pulsing light energy that can penetrate the upper layers of the skin. These lasers are designed so that they are absorbed by the tattoo ink, rather than your skin cells.

As the light energy penetrates the skin and hits that tattoo ink, it heats up and breaks down the ink into minuscule fragments. After this process is complete, your immune system takes care of the rest by absorbing and destroying those ink fragments. 

What Are the Benefits of Laser Tattoo Removal?

If you regret your tattoo, there are plenty of benefits to getting it removed.

For example, some people regret tattoos that once held sentimental value and no longer do. The name of an ex-partner, for example, may bring you annoyance or frustration now rather than joy.

Others regret a tattoo that did not turn out as they expected. Walking around with a bad tattoo can cause confidence issues and feelings of embarrassment.

Finally, some regret their tattoo because it’s standing in the way of job opportunities. Tattoos aren’t nearly as stigmatized as they were ten or twenty years ago, making them less of an issue for job seekers. However, 70% of employers still say that certain tattoos–whether they’re offensive or located somewhere like the neck or face–would make them hesitant to hire someone. 

Ultimately, the benefits are entirely personal. No matter your reason for wanting to be rid of your ink, getting laser tattoo removal can bring you peace of mind. 

Is Laser Tattoo Removal Safe?

Now, to address the question we’re often asked: is laser tattoo removal safe?

The answer is yes, laser tattoo removal is safe. In fact, it’s the safest option when it comes to tattoo removal and comes with minimal potential side effects.

Laser tattoo removal is able to target very specific areas, meaning that the surrounding skin will not be affected at all. In fact, laser technology is so precise, we can even remove part of a tattoo while leaving the rest intact.

In order to prevent pain during the procedure, we provide a local anesthetic to the treatment area. The treated skin will be completely numb while the lasers do their work and you won’t feel a thing.

What to Expect During Recovery

During recovery, most patients find that side effects are minimal and fleeting. You may experience some tenderness around the treated area, but this often clears up within a week or so. You may also notice redness, slight swelling, or mild blistering around the treated area, but this will also clear up within a few days to a few weeks.

Ultimately, after laser tattoo removal, you can go about your normal day-to-day activities. The only precaution you’ll need to take is protecting the treated area from the sun. This is simply to avoid sunburn and allow the skin to focus on healing and rejuvenating. 

How Long Does It Take to Get a Tattoo Removed?

The length and number of tattoo removal procedures depend on the tattoo, itself. Typically, you will need three to five sessions in order to see full results.

Different ink colors require different lasers to break them up and some are easier to break up than others. For example, more traditional colors like red, blue, green, and black are fairly easy to remove. More unique colors like purple, brown, light orange, and light blue take a little longer.

Older tattoos tend to require fewer sessions for complete removal. You may notice that tattoos fade with age. This is because both internal and external forces have already put in some of the work to start breaking up that ink and removing it.

Finally, larger tattoos are always going to take more sessions. Some areas of the body are also harder to treat, but the number of sessions you’ll need comes down to the color, age, and size of the tattoo more than anything else. 

What Are the Alternative Options?

There are a few other tattoo removal options that don’t involve lasers, but all come with increased risks and messier results. These options include painful chemical peels, dermabrasion, and the long-term (and mostly ineffective) use of abrasive scrubs. You are far more likely to experience scarring after these treatments than you would after laser removal.

Don’t Live With Tattoos You Regret

Regretting a tattoo is never a good feeling, especially when you’ve been told countless times that tattoos are permanent. The truth is, with laser tattoo removal, no tattoo has to be permanent if you no longer want it. 

Is laser tattoo removal safe? The answer is yes, and we’re happy to add that with the help of our specialists, you will also find that laser tattoo removal leads to minimal side effects and zero scarring!

To find out more about our services, availability, and pricing, contact us today. We can’t wait to help you move on from your regret and live a happier, more confident life.