Millions of people have tattoos, which are excellent ways to express who you are. However, you may have one or two you got when you were young that you no longer care for.
Unfortunately, tattoos are permanent – until now. Laser tattoo removal is a revolutionary treatment that allows you to remove tattoos with minimal pain and outstanding results – but how much does it hurt?
At Meridian Plastic Surgery, our team understands the need for tattoo removal, so we offer it as one of our many specialized services.
Dr. Lee K. Thornton and Dr. Mark S. Elliott are our experienced plastic surgeons who help you finally remove that unsightly tattoo you've hated for years.
Tattoos are permanent ink images a tattoo artist deposits into the dermis of your skin using a specialized tattoo tool. The needle on the tool penetrates past the top layer of skin (epidermis) down to the dermis, which is more stable and allows the ink to last a lifetime.
The drops of ink are too large for the immune system to remove, so they're usually permanent. However, you want only some tattoos to last a lifetime, especially when they no longer fit into your life.
Laser tattoo removal is an efficient and safe way to remove tattoos from your skin permanently. The laser removes the tattoo by breaking the ink particles into smaller pieces, allowing your immune system to eliminate them over time.
The type of laser you need depends on the type of ink and tattoo colors. The laser easily penetrates black and dark blue inks, while green, yellow, and red are more difficult to remove.
Most people require multiple treatments to thoroughly remove the ink from their skin. These treatments are often six weeks apart to allow the skin to heal between them.
Everyone's most important question with laser tattoo removal is, "Will it hurt?" It's a great question because you want to prepare for what's to come.
People tolerate laser tattoo removal differently, depending on their pain tolerance and the size of the tattoo we're removing. Those with smaller tattoos may have an easier time, while larger tattoos may be more painful.
Most people describe the sensation of laser tattoo removal as a "snapping" feeling, almost like someone is snapping a rubber band on your skin. These "snaps" are frequent and fast, which may be a lot for someone with a big tattoo.
However, many people tolerate the procedure without any interventions. If you're afraid of pain and have a low tolerance for discomfort, we can provide you with topical numbing cream to decrease pain and discomfort during the session.
Mentally preparing for your tattoo removal appointment may help decrease pain during the procedure. Stress and other negative emotions may amplify pain signals, making the laser less tolerable.
Go into your appointment confidently, knowing you'll soon eliminate the tattoo you can't stand anymore.
It's also essential to choose someone with extensive training and knowledge about tattoo removal, such as Dr. Elliott or Dr. Thornton. They both have plenty of experience using lasers for tattoo removal, which may help decrease discomfort with their techniques.
Over-the-counter numbing agents are also good if you're worried about pain. However, ask our team first to ensure it's safe to use before the procedure. You may also apply ice to numb the skin but put a towel between your skin and the ice to prevent redness and irritation.
Ultimately, laser tattoo removal hurts less than actually getting the tattoo. Knowing what to expect prepares you for a lifetime of ink-free skin where you need it most.
To learn more about our laser tattoo removal services, call Meridian Plastic Surgery today at 601-693-7742 or request a consultation on the website.
