Archive for Laser Tattoo Removal
Preparing for Laser Tattoo Removal
Posted by: | CommentsTattoo removal is a personal decision that can be based on many factors. If you have made the decision to have a tattoo removed, below is a list of questions you might be asking yourself before you go to your laser removal appointment.
What will the doctor need to know before I go to have my laser surgery? Are there any preoperative conditions that I will have to abide by?
The doctor will need to know if you smoke because smoking make the capillaries smaller and puts your immune system at a disadvantage. This can slow healing and could make the end result less favorable. So, let your doctor know if you smoke. You should stop smoking a few weeks before and after the surgery for optimum results. The doctor will also need to know if you have an active infection or other inflamed skin condition. It is often best not to ingest aspirin, or MAO inhibiting and serotonin drugs. for 14 days prior to surgery and 14 days after surgery.
Should I purchase any supplies that will promote healing like gauze pads, medical tape, or topical antibacterial cream?
Yes, and remember, since you may not feel like going shopping immediately after the procedure, you should stock up on what you need beforehand. Antibacterial soap for cleansing the tattoo area a few days before surgery (to kill Staph and other surface bacteria) is strongly recommended. Some surgeons simply suggest Dial antibacterial soap. You will also need to get gauze and other types of dressings to tend to your incision area. Vitamin C supplements are also helpful to maintain your immune system strength.
How should I dress for the procedure?
Wear loose, comfortable-fitting clothing because you do not want your clothes to rub against the affected area. Remove any fingernail and toenail polish so that the medical team is better able to determine if you are getting enough oxygen during surgery. Most doctors have meters to determine this, but it never hurts to be cautious.
The Day of The Tattoo Laser Removal Procedure
Should I have someone drive me to/from the treatment appointment?
You should arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure because it is difficult to know how the surgery will affect you.
Will the doctor apply numbing cream or inject a local anesthesia before the laser removal process begins?
The medical staff will apply a topical anesthetic around 30 to 90 minutes before the laser removal process. Sometimes, a local anesthetic is injected or an oral sedative can be prescribed that is taken beforehand. You should talk to your doctor about your options before the surgery appointment.
If the pain is intense can I ask the doctor to decrease the strength setting of the laser?
Typical laser surgery takes 60 to 90 seconds and most people don’t find it very painful. A lot of people describe the feeling as similar to being stung by a rubber band. Often, Tylenol or other over-the-counter options are recommended for pain relief after the procedure.
After the Tattoo Laser Removal Treatment
Should I avoid exposure to sunlight?
You should keep the site covered to protect it from the sun when you are outdoors. Always treat the area as you would severe sunburn or a new tattoo. Apply ice to control swelling and the feeling of excessive heat.
Should I wear loose clothing the first few days after treatment?
You should wear loose-fitting clothing to your laser removal appointments and after the procedure if your tattoo is under clothing
Can I go swimming or get into a hot tub after the treatment?
Avoid environments like hot tubs or steam baths and swimming. It is not recommended to get the surgery site wet for the first few days.
Will the treatment area bleed after the procedure?
Tattoo removals often bleed after treatments, so your doctor will most likely cover the affected area with gauze to avoid staining your clothes.
How long should I wear a bandage on the treated area?
Cover the affected area with a bandage for a few days after the procedure. Your doctor will give you guidance on this. You will most likely use a triple antibiotic cream two or more times a day. After a few days, you can take off the bandages and leave the affected area open to the air. It’s not good to keep bandages on for to long, air flow is good for healing of the area after the initial recovery period of three days.
Butterfly Tatoo Patterns & Symbolism
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Classical mythology associates butterflies with the soul. Psyche is often represented as a butterfly. Sylphs, invisible female spirits of the air whose voices are heard in the wind, are named from the Greek word silphe, which means “butterfly” or “moth”.
The Aztecs associated butterflies with women who died in childbirth and warriors who died in battle. In some Chinese stories butterflies represent dead women’s souls, but they more often symbolize Summer, Joy, and Longevity!
For many Native American tribes butterflies symbolize the souls of the dead but also Transformation, because the insects emerge from the chrysalis. They also associate the butterfly with Beauty.
The butterfly signifies Fire to the Aztecs while in Celtic solar festivals the firebrand that rekindled the hearth fire after it had been extinguished was called the “Butterfly.”
From the bland caterpillar to the fantastic winged creature of astonishing beauty, the butterfly has become a symbol for transformation and hope, rebirth and resurrection, the triumph of the spirit and the freeing of the soul over the material world.
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How Much Does Laser Tattoo Removal Cost?
Posted by: | CommentsLaser tattoo removal can be very costly, but the good news is that the price is decreasing as the demand for tattoo removal increases and the technology becomes less expensive. Each laser removal center will have its own way of pricing tattoo removal. Most places base their cost on the size of the tattoo and the number of colors used in the tattoo. As you can imagine, larger tattoos with lots of colors cost the most to remove.
Some doctors charge a flat fee for tattoo removal which includes all of the follow-up sessions. However, it’s more common practice for doctors to charge for each office visit. They do that because the length of each session could vary; some sessions could take much longer to complete whereas others (especially the later sessions) may only take a few minutes. Ideally you want to only pay for the doctor or technician’s time.
There are pros and cons to paying a flat fee vs. paying per session. If a doctor charges a flat fee this may save you money in the long term if it takes many sessions to remove the design. For example, let’s say the doctor usually charges $200 per session but tells you that he can remove the tattoo for a flat fee of $1,000. If it takes more than 5 treatments to remove your tattoo you’ve actually saved money.
However, there’s a downside to paying a flat fee. If you decide you want to stop the treatments (because you want to change doctors or because you’re moving) you may be required to pay the remaining balance for the work. As a matter of fact, many of the flat fee clinics require you to pay the fee up front. This may cause a problem if you decide early on to switch doctors. If the clinic requires that you pay a flat fee up front you should ask them what your options are if you decide to stop the treatments before the tattoo has been successfully removed. Ask them if they’d be willing to refund the remaining balance to you, even if they have to charge something like a processing fee, or only refund a certain percentage of the balance.
Although rare, there have been instances when the doctor himself decides to change locations, move into a new practice, retire, or go out of business. In those instances reputable doctors will usually refund all of the balance or refer you to another physician that can complete the work. These events are uncommon but could occur if you’re trying to remove a very large tattoo because they can take many months and sometimes years to remove.
Most doctors however charge a “per session” fee for removing tattoos. This entails the patient paying either a set fee or a fee based on the duration of each session. This type of pricing gives the patient the ability to change doctors if they’re displeased with the service they’re receiving. For example, since technological advances in medicine occur rather frequently you may discover that your physician doesn’t have the latest lasers for tattoo removal. If you’re paying per session you can easily switch to a doctor that’s using more advanced laser technology. This pricing structure also lends itself well to someone that may relocate during the course of the sessions.
Each individual tattoo removal session can cost as low as $100 and go up to $1,000, depending on the size of the tattoo, the number of colors used, and the location of the design on your body. The number of sessions required vary according to the patient’s skin tone, the ink colors used, the size of the tattoo, and how fast the patient’s skin heals. If the tattoo is small or performed by an amateur it may take 2-5 sessions for the design to be completely removed. However, larger tattoos administered by professionals may require more than 10 treatments.
It’s important to shop around before deciding on one particular doctor. Set up consultative appointments with at least 2 different doctors, show them the tattoo(s) you want removed and let them estimate how many sessions will be needed. They can also give you an idea of how much each session (or their flat fee) will cost. Once you decide on a doctor it’s important to do some research on him/her if you’ve never received services from them before. Go online and see if there are any outstanding lawsuits against the doctor. There are physician referral sites online that will give you that information. Ask friends and family members if they know anything about the doctor. This is easier to accomplish in small rural areas and more difficult in large urban areas but it doesn’t hurt to ask nonetheless.
Once you engage a physician and begin treatment you should commit to completing the process. There will be times when the tattoo area looks worse than it did before the treatments began however you must be willing to continue the treatments until the tattoo is completely removed.
For more information see: Laser Tattoo Removals
