Whether it’s a bad quality tattoo or just a phase of your life you have out grown. Either way, you no longer have to live with the former choices of your youth forever emblazoned on your skin.

Laser tattoo removal can undo what ink and needle has drawn. Treatments take only a short time to perform and can be done in your doctor’s office. Removal is done with anesthetic, topical cream for smaller regions and injectable anesthesia for larger areas.

Removal requires multiple visits as the skin needs time to heal and recover between sessions. They are spaced approximately one month apart. Each session the design will become lighter and less visible. All ink colors are removable, though black and grey are the easiest. Others may require more sessions. Each session lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. The laser is set to target certain colors or depth of ink to give optimal results.

The laser delivers energy in short quick bursts which dissolve the ink embedded in the skin into very small particles which are then safely detoxified through normal bodily processes. Drinking extra water the day before, the day of and a few days after will help the process along.

There is very minimal risk of scarring or discomfort. If you tend to get keloid scars, tattoo removal may not be right for you. Following the session the treatment are may blister or scab (much like the healing process of tattooing itself.)

It is very important to avoid sun exposure during the healing process. Keep it clean and dry and wash only using very mild unscented soap.

Through repeated sessions your old tattoo will fade and eventually be virtually non-visible any longer. Results vary, but most are very pleased with the outcome and wish they had done it sooner.

To find a certified plastic surgeon who is skilled in laser tattoo removal please visit www.ipalc.org/find.

Photo courtesy of: http://www.douglasstevensmd.com/