Tattoo - A Decorative Body Modification
The art of decorating human skin with permanent or semi-permanent ink has been performed for thousands of years. Today, pop culture has prompted a resurgence in tattoo body art popularity causing an influx of new tattoo artists into the industry. Modern chemistry has also contributed to the ongoing adventure of body art. With hundreds of new pigmented dyes on the market, tattoos now retain their vibrant colors longer.
About Ink
It is important to know that the FDA does not regulate the ingredients of the pigmented dyes that are utilized by a tattoo artist. Synthetic pigments and colorants can widely vary from industrial organics to minerals to plastic-based compounds. For example: most black pigments and permanent cosmetic inks will contain carbon or iron oxides and most blue pigments will contain copper salts or cobalt oxides, while other inks contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
The Making Of A Tattoo
The most common method of making a tattoo is with an electrically powered tattoo machine. The machines are fit with a single needle or many needles that can puncture the skin between 80 to 150 times per second. The needle(s) create a puncture wound and deposit tiny dots of insoluble ink into the dermal-epidermal junction of the skin. These dots of dispersed pigment come together to make the tattoo image. An affordable treatment for removing unwanted body art, The UltraLight-Q laser system, safely and effectively removes ink from your skin!
Medical lasers designed for removing pigment from skin work by producing one or more specific wavelengths of light. Tattoo ink is removed by using this specific wavelength of light which passes into the skin, but is absorbed by the ink. The rapid absorption of light energy causes the tattoo ink to break into tiny particles which can then be removed by the body's natural filtering systems.
Whether your tattoo is professional, amateur (homemade), traumatic, or surgical, laser technology from Dr. Ly on Maui has advanced enough to treat all kinds of tattoos.
How many treatments will it take?
Not all body art is created alike; many factors are involved that determine the number of treatments needed, such as:
- How long the tattoo has been in the skin. Newer tattoos are a little more resistant while older tattoos are easier to remove.
- The depth of ink in the skin.
- The type of ink in the skin. There are many different types of pigment that could have been used to create the tattoo.
- Was the tattoo created by a professional artist or an amateur?
Usually professional tattoos will need 6 - 8 treatments, while amateur tattoos take about 4 - 5 treatments. The sessions will be spaced 6 - 8 weeks apart, allowing the body’s immune system to naturally remove the pigment fragments.
Will the tattoo disappear completely?
Often times it will. Under optimum conditions, up to 97% of the fading of the tattoo can be accomplished. However, since the doctor cannot know the exact specifics on the ink used, how deep the ink is below the skin, and how much was used; it is impossible to predict the exact degree of removal of any specifc tattoo. Some ink colors respond better than others. Dark blue/ black inks typically respond and fade very well. Purple and orange inks also fade very well.
Green and yellow inks are the most difficult to remove.
Is laser tattoo removal painful?
Most patients do not find the procedure painful and the majority do not require any type of anesthesia. But a topical or local anesthetic may be used to minimize any discomfort. Some people describe the procedure as similar to having tiny specs of hot bacon grease on the skin or perhaps as if being snapped a bit by a very thin rubber band.
What happens after the treatment (s)?
An anti-bacterial ointment and a dressing will be applied. The dressing will need to be there for 24 hours. There may be a tiny bit of swelling for 3-6 days. You will be able to take a shower the next day.
How much does laser tattoo removal cost?
Costs will vary depending on the type and size of the tattoo. Schedule a consultation today to start the process of removing the ink from your skin!
