Patient T: How can I remove these tattoos that I no longer want?
Tattoos are used to allow one to redefine themselves, to create a unique statement on their selected part of their body. It gives a sense of control and identity to the individual.
Apart from that, it is also used as a form of permanent make up such as for eyebrows, coverage of scars, micropigmentation to camouflage hair loss.
Yet, in certain circumstances, one may desire for them to be removed.
How do we achieve it?
The answer is using photoacoustic laser tattoo removal!
Steps to Photoacoustic Tattoo Removal
(1) Evaluation of Tattoo
This is crucial and will determine how many sessions it may take to clear up the tattoo.
Factors that influence the resultant number of sessions include
(A) Your Skin Color
(B) Location of The Tattoo
(C) Color Pigments of The Tattoo
(D) Amount of Ink In The Tattoo
(E) Any Scarring or Layering Involved
(2) Photoacoustic Laser Removal Treatment
This involves the practitioner using an optimal power to treat the tattoos. An optimal power will result in fewer sessions rather than always treating at a suboptimal power.
(3) Post Treatment Care
Blisters, bleeding, redness, swelling, scabbing are common from treatment and the key is to manage them properly. Usually, these can take between 5 – 14 days to recover depending on your skin.
I recommend using an antibiotic ointment from your doctor, twice a day across the areas affected.
As with any laser, treatment at optimal power requires optimal recovery. Usage of RAI Post Laser Intensive Recovery Serum is recommended to achieve the optimal recovery with minimisation of side effects.
(4) Repeat Sessions
These will be conducted at one month intervals as the skin takes time to clear off the fragmented pigments.
*With any treatment, a careful evaluation and diagnosis allows us to outlay a proper treatment plan to target your concern effectively. Always ask your doctor for a diagnosis and clear treatment plan.
Tattoos
Tattoos form a part in the building self image. However, our self image changes with time. Around 18% of people who have a tattoo inevitably regret that ink as they have now outgrown that phase and feel that tattoo does not contribute to their overall appearance.
Tattoos can comprise of various types of inks and the color that is most difficult to remove is yellow. How do we achieve removal of tattoos?
Laser Tattoo Removal
- Laser tattoo removal utilises the principle of light energy hitting and tattoo pigments.
- Tattoo pigments which used to be big in size now fragment to smaller pieces.
- Skin and immune system then clears up and excretes these smaller pigments.
- Post treatment, good scab care is required and patients can be retreated usually at a one-month interval.
- May require up to 20 sessions for certain tattoos.
How Is The Procedure Like?
- Numbing cream will be applied to the tattooed area to be treated.
- Laser tattoo removal commences, it will feel like a rubber band hitting against the skin across the region treated.
- Post treatment ice packs applied for 10 minutes.
- Scabs will form and sometimes small blisters.
- Antibiotic cream is to be applied till scabs fall off.
- Retreatment in around 1 month’s time.
Find out more about the detailed steps here!
Dr Sin Yong Recommendations
If you are perturbed by a tattoo that you have, it is time to make a decision to remove it permanently.
A careful consideration must be given to the tattoo and its surrounding skin to decide what is the best way forward.
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