How to Remove Your Tattoos

Online, November 28, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Over the past decades tattoos have become part of American mainstream culture. It is estimated that there are around 4,000 tattoo studios in the U.S. and more than 10 million people have at least one tattoo. It is also estimated that about 50% of people who get tattoos regret them later. In the past these people did not have reliable removal techniques to help them get rid of their tattoos. The existing techniques were painful and invasive, requiring local surgery.

A tattoo is made using a pigment inserted into the dermal layer of the skin. The tattoo is applied using electric tattoo machines that use needles to puncture the skin. For people who no longer want their tattoos the new laser removal technique can be a good alternative. The laser tattoo removal method can erase the tattoo with minimal side effects. The method is using a high intensity light beam that can break up the pigment colors of the tattoo. The laser beam is selected based upon the pigment colors of the tattoo. The black tattoo pigment is the easier to treat because it can absorb all laser wavelengths. For other colors the laser wavelength is selected to match the color. Each tattoo is unique and the removal technique needs to be adapted to each case. One of the advantages of the laser tattoo removal method is that this method can work well even for tattoos that could not be removed effectively by other treatments.

You can have your tattoo removed using laser therapy in a cosmetic surgery center or at a dermatologist's cabinet. You may try to consult your doctor and ask for recommendation for a skin surgery center or for a dermatologist specialized in tattoo removal.

The number of laser tattoo removal treatments depends on the color and size of your tattoo, the depth of the tattoo and the age of the patient. Most of the tattoos can be removed in two to four treatment sessions but more sessions may be needed for large tattoos or tattoos using many pigment colors. The trained professional can evaluate your situation and advise you on the number of treatments needed.