Does Tattoo Removal Leave Scars?
There are many reasons why someone might want to remove a tattoo. Maybe the tattoo was a mistake, or maybe it’s no longer relevant or meaningful. Or maybe you need it removed for a job. Whatever the reason, tattoo removal can be a daunting process. But with the right information and techniques, it’s possible to remove tattoos without any noticeable scarring.
How does one remove a tattoo?
The most common method of tattoo removal is laser treatment. The way the laser works is that each pulse of the laser sends light energy into your skin at different wavelengths, targeting each of the different colours. The light penetrates your skin and is absorbed by the tattoo ink particles in the dermis layer of the skin. In doing so it shatters the ink into tiny fragments. Once the ink has been broken down your body’s immune system can do its thing and within a number of weeks the tattoo begins to fade. The more treatments that are had the more the tattoo can be broken down.
Why doesn’t my body remove the tattoo in the first place?
The simple answer is that while our immune systems are great at removing foreign objects from our bodies the ink particles are too big for the white blood cells. Ink particles are substantially bigger than white blood cells and since the are difficult for them to remove and the ink stays there in the dermis layer of your skin.
Does Tattoo Removal Leave Scars?
The short answer is not with us. At Laser Tattoff our use of the Pico Method ensures that your tattoo is removed with minimal scarring if any at all. The longer answer is that it depends on how large the tattoo is and what techniques are used to remove it. In truth it is all about the healing process. If a tattoo is removed with the proper technique and aftercare is carried out then it is highly unlikely that there will be any scarring.
How Long Does It Take?
The process takes two years to complete but why is that so? Two years might seem like a really long time but as we said it is all about the healing process.
Laser tattoo removal is the safest and most effective method for removing unwanted tattoos. That said, it’s not a one-and-done process and depending on the size and depth of the tattoo, the skin type of the patient, and a few other factors, it can take anywhere from four to 10+ sessions for complete removal.
The main cause is that there must be at least six to eight weeks between treatments to allow the immune system time to eliminate the shattered ink particles. This waiting period also gives the skin time to heal and minimises the risk of permanent damage to the skin. Which is why this method of tattoo removal doesn’t leave scarring.
How Do I Know How Many Sessions I Need?
The Kirby-Desai Scale is a method for estimating how many sessions it will take to fully remove an undesirable tattoo. The following factors are taken into account when evaluating the removal rate:
- Fitzpatrick skin type
- Location on the body
- Tattoo layering (if the tattoo is a cover-up)
- Amount of ink (vividness of tattoo, type of application)
- Ink colours
- Pre-existing scarring
Tattoo Removal Does It Leave Scars?
In the past tattoo removal could lead to the development of scar tissue but thanks to the development of modern techniques and lasers that is no longer the case. If you are looking to get a tattoo removed then please contact us and we would be happy to help.
If you find yourself asking the question, does laser tattoo removal leave scars and you are still worried then you should reach out to us here for a free full disclosure consultation where we can walk you through the process and as well as the risks and management that we have in place.