How Fast Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?
How fast does laser tattoo removal work? Learn how Q-Switched lasers fade ink, how many sessions most tattoos need, and why other methods carry more risk.
What you'll learn
- The Q-Switched laser breaks apart tattoo pigment without damaging the skin, and the body then clears the particles naturally.
- Sessions are spaced two to six weeks apart, and most tattoos require eight to 12 sessions depending on location, age, skin type, and thickness.
- The post describes salabrasion, dermabrasion, cutting, and removal creams as riskier, with scarring, infection, or skin damage possible.
- Aftercare is described as minimal, so treatments can fit into a busy schedule.
Curious how many sessions your tattoo needs? Build your complimentary treatment plan and we’ll recommend what fits.
The Q-Switched Laser
At Well Labs+ Medspa Dallas, we use the Q-Switched laser for tattoo removal. It works by delivering light into the ink of the tattoo, breaking apart its pigment without damaging your skin. The particles of pigment can then be disposed of naturally by your body.
How Many Q-Switched Laser Treatments Does It Take?
Each session is spaced between two to six weeks apart, and each treatment will continue to lighten and fade the tattoo until it is gone, leaving clear, smooth skin in its place. Although we will need to see your tattoo to give you a fair estimate of removal time, most tattoos require eight to 12 sessions. The number of treatments needed can be affected by several factors, such as:
- Tattoo location
- Patient’s age
- Skin type
- Tattoo age and thickness
Why Q-Switched Technology?
While there are several options available for tattoo removal, Q-Switched laser removal is much safer and gentler on the skin than other removal options and is considered the treatment of choice by healthcare professionals. Some treatments will claim to offer results faster, but the risks involved with thee other options can greatly outweigh the benefits.
Salabrasion
As its name implies, Salabrasion removes tattoos through abrasion with salt and water. Sessions can last between 30 to 40 minutes and require that the outer layers of the skin are stripped away. The process is repeated every couple of days until the tattoo is no longer visible. This method is very hard on the skin and will almost certainly leave a scar.
Dermabrasion
Similar to Salabrasion, Dermabrasion relies on friction to remove the top layers of skin, and thus the tattoo along with it. Recovery time is lengthy, made even longer if the treatment has to be repeated a number of times. Methods like Dermabrasion inherently come with an increased risk of swelling and infection.
Cutting
The surgical removal of tattoos involves the tattooed skin being removed from a patient entirely. The patient must either have enough skin to stretch over and compensate for the missing patch or be willing to undergo a skin graft to cover the previously tattooed area. As this is a surgical method, a scar is almost unavoidable.
Removal Cream
As you’re shopping online, you may see tattoo removal creams advertised as a way to get rid of your tattoos quickly, and right at home. If that sounds a bit too good to be true, that’s because it is. Tattoo removal creams are usually composed of a series of acids. Many of these ingredients are dangerous to use without professional hands-on care. If they even work at all, these creams can permanently damage or discolor your skin.
Q-Switched Laser Technology can handle even the most challenging tattoo. Why attempt faster, riskier methods, when you could have it done right for the long term?
What Are the Benefits?
Having a tattoo you no longer want can be more than an annoyance, it can be embarrassing. People who don’t like their own tattoos often resort to covering them up with clothing or by caking on layers of makeup. Having these tattoos removed can boost confidence and provide a sense of relief.
Getting Ready for the Big Day
If you have a wedding or special occasion coming up, starting the treatment with this date in mind can mean feeling your best and looking back on your pictures with a smile. So go on, buy that slick suit or the sleeveless dress!
Moving Forward in Your Career
Pursuing your dream job can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re feeling self-conscious about a tattoo. You may be concerned your tattoo could stand in the way of your career of choice, or look unprofessional. With each laser treatment, your tattoo will become less noticeable to you and your colleagues, so you can start your new venture with confidence.
Moving On in Your Personal Life
Many people have a romantic partner’s name or face tattooed onto them. If the relationship should end, that tattoo is now a daily, painful reminder that can stand in the way of you moving on. Rather than having to explain why the name on your arm no longer matches the name of the person you’re dating, having that reminder removed altogether can be a liberating experience.
Aesthetics
Tastes and interests change over time, and so does our skin. As skin loses its elasticity, tattoos lose their form, and what used to be a fun statement piece can now feel like an inconvenience. Sometimes we all need a clean slate, and tattoos are no exception to that rule.
Fitting It Into Your Busy Schedule
Laser tattoo removal is a great fit for the hard worker. Aftercare is minimal so you can get right back to doing what needs to get done. We can work with you to fit your treatments in so it makes sense in your busy life.
Contact Us Today!
If you’re ready to say goodbye to your unwanted ink, come visit us at Well Labs+ Medspa Dallas, TX. We can’t wait to help you achieve the clear skin you deserve! To get started, book a consultation with our team.
All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.
The Well Labs+ Editorial Team
Well Labs+ Medspa Dallas
Our team writes these guides to explain treatments in plain language: what each one does, who it suits, and what to expect, so you arrive at your consultation with better questions.
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