What To Expect During a
Laser Tattoo Removal Treatment
A successful laser tattoo removal treatment session should begin with a consultation with a trained technician. This qualified
professional will go over your personal situation, evaluate it, and inform you of the process that you will be undergoing.
Obviously your individual process and treatment will vary from others' depending on the size, age, depth, and color of your skin as well as
the colors in the tattoo.
Generally a laser tattoo removal treatment session consists of the following steps:
- The patient is provided with protective eye shields or goggles to wear during the process.
- A section of the tattooed skin is tested in order to determine the optimal energy level for treatment with the laser.
- It's not always needed but, depending on the patient's level of pain tolerance, a local anesthetic may be applied topically to the
treatment area, or an injected painkiller may be required. Sometimes both are used.
- With the above preparation done, the treatment session actually begins with the handheld laser's head being placed against the tattooed
skin, then the laser's light is applied to the tattoo in rapid-fire pulses. No matter what the size of the tattoo, laser treatments
take only a few minutes per session.
For many patients even this short amount of lasering is extremely painful, while others describe it mostly as feeling as though a rubber band
is being strongly snapped against the skin, or being spattered with very hot grease. (Oh, and no one ever seems to mention the
sickening smell of burning flesh.)
- Immediately after the session is finished, an ice pack is usually applied to soothe and cool the treated area, and the patient is
instructed in aftercare. This usually consists of applying a topical antibiotic salve or cream to the area, then the lasered area is
covered with a bandage to protect the skin while healing.
- Since both small and large tattoos require several removal sessions, an appointment is made for the next treatment. Each
appointment lasts only a short period because even large tattoos require only a short amount of time to be treated.
- Payment is usually expected after each session unless other arrangements have previously been made with the provider.
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