A tattoo is a unique way to express feelings or create lasting memories. It's a work of art that looks impressive and is hard to go unnoticed. However, there are times when your feelings, choices and preferences change. During such times, you might get a tattoo you got in the past removed. Laser tattoo removal is your best bet in such situations.
Laser tattoo removal is a proven and safe solution for erasing tattoos from the body. However, the process takes time, so you must be mentally prepared to keep calm and avoid being anxious for quick results. So, if you're planning to undergo a laser tattoo removal treatment, read this post. In this post, you'll develop a comprehensive understanding of how long it takes between tattoo removal treatments and why?
How Long Between Tattoo Removal Treatments?
For complete tattoo removal, you will need multiple sessions. Generally, it takes 10 to 12 sessions to ensure complete tattoo removal. Each session is spaced six to eight weeks apart. It is vital to understand that the timeline of the tattoo removal treatment is variable, and the results can appear faster or slower. The initial results of the laser tattoo removal treatment may begin to show in as little as 18 weeks.
The process is gradual and slower than what many expect for multiple reasons such as:
Your Body's Immune System
The body's immune system is a powerful network of organs, tissue and cells.
When it detects a pathogen (foreign invader), the immune response begins in small actions to remove the pathogen. So, when the laser shatters, the ink particles of the tattoo into microscopic size. It is where the immune system takes over and does all the heavy lifting. The immune system releases macrophages as the ink travels through the vascular network and tissue. These special cells engulf the foreign invaders and carry them through the tissue and out of the body –through the waste system or the dermis.
However, the number of macrophages released by the immune system is limited. So if the immune system is dealing with another threat in the body, it will distribute the macrophages. Hence, the body will have less macrophage for tattoo ink removal, which eventually slows the process.
Healing Time
Another reason for long intervals between tattoo removal treatments is that the skin also needs healing time after exposure to the laser. So, if the treatment sessions aren't spaced properly, and your skin isn't healed, it can lead to various skin-related issues such as:
Skin discolouration
Permanent scarring
Skin irritation
Open wounds
It is essential to understand that the healing time of every person is different. So, the laser removal expert will first assess the tattoo between sessions and adjust the duration to ensure your skin's health is not compromised. The body needs time to dispose of destroyed ink and heal.
Other factors that will impact the total length of your laser tattoo removal treatment plan are:
Tattoo Size
The size of the tattoo will dictate the length of the treatment plan. For example, if it is a small tattoo like a small rose on the shoulder, the sessions will be small, and the tattoo will fade away relatively faster. However, a large tattoo with an intricate design that covers your back will take longer than usual.
Design Location
The location of the tattoo also has a direct impact on the length of the treatment plan. For example, if the tattoo is located close to the heart, the design will fade faster since the blood circulation is excellent around the targeted area. Likewise, tattoos on the legs or arms may require more sessions and time as blood flow in these body areas is comparatively weaker.
Tattoo's Age
It is faster and easier to remove older tattoos compared to fresh ink. It is because new tattoos need more healing before receiving the removal treatment. So, if you want a tattoo changed immediately after you get it, you may have to wait a month or six weeks before the removal.
Type and Depth of the Ink
Similarly, the ink type and depth are crucial factors that may determine the total length of the tattoo removal treatment plan. In general, a deeper tattoo design takes longer to remove. Removing a tattoo with fluorescent shades is harder than removing a tattoo with darker pigmentation. It is because fluorescent colours reflect light. And because of this, the ink doesn't absorb much of the laser energy transmitted during the treatment. Hence, you will need more treatment sessions to remove a fluorescent tattoo from your body.
Best Tips to Fade the Tattoo and Speed the Removal Process
If you want to speed up the fading and removal of the unwanted tattoo as you seek treatment, here's what you can do:
Exercise daily to strengthen your body's immune system and improve blood circulation. When you have a strong immune system, you will have a greater ability to eliminate ink particles (broken down by the laser) from the body. Moreover, your body will also heal faster, shortening the length of the treatment plan.
Drink more water to stay hydrated and boost immunity. It will help boost your lymphatic system's ability to clear out the tattoo's pigmentation and fade it faster.
Avoid smoking, alcohol, and bad dietary habits like high salt, sugar and saturated fats intake. All these habits can lower the number of macrophages in the body, destroy the body's antioxidants, and reduce nutrient absorption. Reduced nutrients weaken the immune system. Likewise, antioxidants are needed by the body for rejuvenation, especially when undergoing laser treatment sessions).
Schedule a consultation with us for more information about tattoo removal treatments or customised treatment plans. We offer the best laser tattoo removal treatment by industry-leading and experienced technicians.
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