Is Tattoo Removal Painful?

Is Tattoo Removal Pain As Painful As Getting A Tattoo?

If you’re particularly sensitive to pain, or if you have a tattoo in a particularly sensitive area, then laser tattoo removal may be uncomfortable but tolerable. Most people think that laser tattoo removal is less painful than getting an actual tattoo. The feeling is similar to having a rubber band snapped against your skin. Some people say it feels more like a rapid succession of tiny pricks, or someone scratching a sunburn. Laser tattoo removal on areas with more fat, such as the arms or the buttocks, is generally not as painful as areas where there is less fat or close to a bone, such as a neck, ankle, or finger. If you’re concerned about pain, LaserAway offers a topical anesthetic and cooling device during the treatment to help you feel more comfortable.

Laser tattoo removal works by targeting pigment ink in the skin’s dermis, the layer of skin between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissues. The laser emits light beams, which are absorbed by the pigment and then fragmented as a result. The body then absorbs and eliminates the pigmented fragments.

The Q-switch laser is the gold standard laser used in tattoo removal. It produces pulses of light boasting an extremely high peak power. Several types of Q-switch lasers exist, and each one targets a different color spectrum at different wavelengths. Because Q-switch lasers are so precise and intense, tattoo pigments fragment instantly, resulting in minimal damage to the surrounding tissue.

With each laser pulse, most people experience a sensation similar to a rubber band snapping against their skin.

Before a laser tattoo removal session starts, you’ll receive a topical anesthetic cream and protective eyewear along with a cooling device. The clinician will then place a handpiece against your skin and deliver laser pulses to the tattoo pigment. The amount of laser pulses depends on the tattoo’s size, but most treatment sessions only last a few minutes.

Does Laser Tattoo Removal Hurt Afterward?

Minimally. You may experience minor bleeding, redness, swelling, and blistering for several hours or days following treatment. Your skin will likely feel tender to the touch. The next several weeks may see the treated area flaking, peeling, and scabbing. While the site is healing, you should avoid sun exposure and public swimming pools. Once the body has had time to metabolize the broken up ink particles, (usually two months after treatment), you can undergo additional sessions.

Amateur tattoos are also a lot easier to remove than professional ones because the ink tends to be less dense.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED

The number of laser tattoo removal sessions you’ll need depends on several different factors. The older the tattoo, for instance, the easier it is to remove. Amateur tattoos are also a lot easier to remove than professional ones because the ink tends to be less dense. Tattoos located on your extremities, however, are more difficult to remove because the circulation isn’t as good in those areas.

Why Choose LaserAway?

With two decades of experience and millions of treatments performed, LaserAway is the nation’s leader in aesthetic dermatology. Our clinics are equipped with cutting-edge technology and overseen by board-certified dermatologists. Every treatment is performed by highly trained medical professionals—registered nurses, nurse practitioners, or physician associates—who complete one of the most rigorous training programs in the industry.

We are committed to providing safe, effective, and scientifically backed treatments that help you achieve your best skin.

Book your free consultation today and experience the LaserAway difference.

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