Archive for Laser Tattoo Removal
Tattoo Removal Made Easier
Posted by: | CommentsTattoo removal just got that much easier with the creation of a new kind of tattoo ink that is easier to laser from the skin. The ink, with the brand name of Infinitink , actually is designed by a chemical engineer so that it breaks down easier when exposed to laser, but looks fine and just as colorful before the procedure. In fact, as the ad says below- you can move one so much easier now…
It may well be that many tattoo artists agree with Brandon Bond, the creator of tattoos for the likes of rapper 50 Cent and boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., but dermatologists are delighted. Bond is not exactly happy that the images that he considers a permanent work of art could be marketed as a disposable item. In fact, he pretty much considers the concept an insult to his artform.
None the less, although 25% of adults under 50 now have a tat of their own to display (when they want to, at least), we are still seeing that the tattoo regret level is high. Those with a tattoo that wish they didn’t have it are now one in six, and that makes for quite a few tats just waiting for the opportunity to be removed. Even Bond, with a pair of intricate sleeves admits to a few of his earlier designs that he wouldn’t mind getting rid of, saying they are “subpar”.
Many dermatologists say that the business of tattoo removal is actually going through a boom these days. It is safe to assume that even with a higher price tag for the Infinitink tat, there is sufficient interest to garner a market for a tattoo that can be removed with only one trip to the laser.
So who is more likely to get a tattoo removed, men or women? If you go by a 2008 survey in Archives of Dermatology, women are more prone to do it, and usually because they care more about what other women think of them. Sexy tattoos with words like “slippery when wet” are more likely to be removed, although the most popular tattoo removal remains names of ex-boyfriends or girlfriends.
So I guess the lesson is to think before you ink! And if you don’t, at least make sure it is one with ink you can remove a bit more easily. Because tattoo remorse can be a real pain!
Tattoo Designs: Here today, Gone Tomorrow
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It used to be that when you got a tattoo, it was here to stay. In fact, it is almost part of the ritual to take your time sketching out the tattoo you want, thinking of it for a long time, because you know that when you do get it done it is going to be forever. But not so anymore.
These days, with laser tattoo removal becoming big business, many people who have a tattoo design they wish they had thought twice about are getting them removed. And although it may seem like it is primarily ex-gang members or someone who has gone to prison if you only pay attention to the newspapers, there are actually quite a few totally normal-looking middle-class folks lining up at the local laser surgery to get that reminder of their wilder days removed.
Sure, we hear about it when some ugly tattoo design one of the many tattoo celebrities got when he or she was a teenager (Angelina Jolie comes to mind) gets the tattoo design either done over with some great tattoo designs to change it or gets it removed. But there are lots of ordinary people who got some crazy tattoo design and then a few years later wished they had not done it.
Tattoo parlors that specialize in removal say that the most common thing is to remove someone’s name. You know what we mean, Shirley was a great gal so you got her name in a heart and know she is “that b#%c&!” and you can’t wait to remove her name from your shoulder. The other major action for getting even great tattoo designs removed is when they are somewhere visible like the neck, face or hands. Some places won’t even consider hiring someone who has a visible tattoo.
And just for fun, here is a tattoo celebrities bit for you. I came across this little clip of actress Niki Reed, who is in the upcoming Vampire film Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part One, talking about the Russian tattoo she is having removed. She was “outed” about it on the Letterman Show the other night.
So – I am willing to bet that there are readers out there who have a tattoo or two they would like removed. It sounds like a lot of pain to undo something, but there are plenty of people who are willing to go through with it. How about you? Are there any tattoo designs you have that you wish would just disappear?
Erasing Old Tattoo Memories
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For many, walking into a tattoo parlor to have the name of your one true love forever emblazed on a part of your anatomy is just a part of life and love. For others, it is the height of stupidity. It probably just depends upon who you are and how you feel about a tattoo. But for tattoo artists, the question of whether to tattoo someone’s name is a conversation that comes up regularly.
Some tattoo artists won’t even consider it. That is because once it is done, it will take between four and twelve trips to the laser specialist to remove it. And some people have been known to go that route within a week of having that special someone memorized into their skin. But tattoo removal has become big business these days, for a variety of reasons.
Some of the tattoos removed are gang tattoos. A rather infamous case is that of Byron Widner, the founder of a skinhead gang in the US called the US Vinlanders. It took sixteen months of treatments for him to have removed from his face tattoos of swastikas and a blood soaked razer. He also had the knuckle tattoos that spelled out the word “HATE” removed with laser surgery. But his is an extreme case that most laser surgeons say they seldom ever see in their practice.
But most people who come into a laser surgery office to have a tattoo removed are not gang members or even the kind of people to have large tattoos or “Sleeves”. In fact, according to Dr. Terrance Poon of Neutral Bay Laser and Dermatology Clinic most of them are ordinary people with just a single simple tattoo. “Quite often, people come in and they are just over their tattoo, or they are getting married, or starting work in a corporate environment and do not want their tattoos seen,” Dr Poon said.
Another way to get rid of a tattoo that no longer suits you is to get a new one over top that will change or cover it. In fact, you will often read of some celebrity who has decided to have an old tattoo covered with a new one. Bondi Ink tattoo artist Brandon Badeau says that he has at least one or two cover up tattoos each day. The easiest way is to come up with two or three designs to suggest to the tattoo artist and let him tell you which one will work the best.
So whether it is going to a laser surgery office or having it altered by your fave ink artist, be sure that when you get your latest love’s name tattooed that you are sure this is what you want. Maybe you can compromise and have a symbol without the name, or maybe you can do what Dr. Poon suggests. He says, if you insist on getting a name tattooed, make it Mom or Dad. That one, at least for the majority of us, you will probably still want around in anther ten years.
So do you have a name tattoo? Can you share it with us? I am always curious and have to admit that I have been known to ask a complete stranger the story behind a tattoo, especially if it has a name on it. What is your story that you can share with the rest of us?
Bad Tattoos Made Easier to Remove!
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One of the recent additions to the ink world is now the cause of much disagreement in the tattoo world. Infinitink, a new type of tattoo ink that recently became available in the American tattoo market, has come as an insult to tattoo artists. Brandon Bond, an Atlanta based tattoo artist well-known for tattooing celebrities such as 50 cent and boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr., said he was ticked off when he first heard about Infinitink.
The big deal with Infinitink is that it can be easily removed – with just a single laser treatment! And what bothers Bond is that he considers the work he has done as pieces of art and dear to him. Now that Infinitink markets tattoos as something disposable, says Bond, is nothing short of an insult!
Although Bond’s initial reaction was a bit hostile to this new development, he says he can understand Americans’ bittersweet relationship with tattoos. Statistics indicate almost one quarter of all adults under age 50 have tattoos. People consider them a symbol of individuality and independence. Even so, studies indicate that about one sixth of people who get tattoos end up regretting it. Bond himself admits that there are a few designs on his arms that he’d like to do away with. “A lot of the stuff I had gotten as a youngster was very subpar,” he said.
Dr. Amy Derick, a dermatologist in Barrington, IL, who studies tattoo remorse, said that while many industries (including the tattoo industry) were on the economic down turn, tattoo removal on the other hand has been on the rise! “It may be that people want a fresh start or are starting a new job,” she said. Will Kirby, a dermatologist in Beverly Hills said that his tattoo removal customers have doubled (from 20 to 40 %) over the past few years. The change of mind is often due to heartache or better judgment. Having an ex-lover’s name removed is the most common request says dermatologist Kirby who has even removed unfortunate choices such as “Slippery When Wet” and “Try Me.”
Katrina McCoy, a nurse who is in the process of having a tattoo on her arm removed, has even gone to the extent of opting out of local anesthesia during the removal process. “I feel like it is a punishment for doing something retarded,” she said. If Infinitink works like they say it would, I guess such extended atonement may no longer be necessary for a simple change of heart!
An Overview of the Laser Tattoo Removal Process
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Although getting inked is the way of the world today, there are still many who would rather do without them. With today’s advancement in technology there are many options for those who would like to have their permanent body art removed. Often the age, size and shape of the tattoo decide what method is best suited for their removal.
Laser tattoo removal is one of the most popular tattoo removal choices available today. The procedure targets the tattooed area (the pigments rather) with short pulses of high intensity laser lights. The light absorbed by the pigments causes them to rupture into smaller particles which are then removed by the body’s immune system.
Since our immune system works best in parts where there is more blood circulation, tattoos in these areas are removed much faster. So needless to say, those designs in your hands and feet (where blood circulation is not so intense) are the tough spots. Also, it is easier to remove black ink as black absorbs the whole spectrum of light while other colors such as green, red or blue will require more targeted laser pulses.
The procedure is presumably safe as the wavelengths used are designed to target only the pigments of your tattoo. They do not affect the surrounding layers of skin or their natural pigments.
Laser tattoo removal often requires anywhere between one and ten sessions with a four to eight week break between each session; most of these sessions only last a few minutes! Every session targets the skin a little deeper thereby removing more ink and leaving the tattoo growing lighter with time.
While the procedure sounds pretty light, each person’s pain tolerance levels vary. Many clinics provide local anesthesia if necessary. It is also a common practice to take oral pain killers like Tylenol. Pain killers like Asprin or Ibuprofen (that act as blood thinners) are to be avoided during the procedure as they are known to cause bruising.
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.