Laser Tattoo Removal

MIAMI BEACH, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Tattoo artist William Coy dips the tattoo needle into black ink as he works on a tattoo at the Tattoos by Lou studio on September 7, 2011 in Miami Beach, Florida. The Food and Drug Administration continues to look into tattoo inks to find out the chemical composition of the inks and how they break down in the body, the short-term and long-term safety of pigments used in tattoo inks and how the body responds to the interaction of light with the inks. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Tattoos are becoming ever more popular, but unfortunately that means that some individuals are taking the plunge without really thinking about what they are doing. A Tattoo is a permanent body modification and you need to consider that before having your skin inked. However, if you have had a tattoo which you are now regretting you can always have them removed thanks to the technological advances in laser removal procedures.

Laser tattoo removal can get rid of your body modification with very few side effects. It works by using a high intensity beam of light to break down the pigment of the tattoo. The more intricate and colorful the design the more expensive and time consuming a laser removal will be. Black is the easiest pigment to remove. Laser removal is now the preferred method of removing unwanted body art. It is not considered to be painful and there is little risk of any scarring thanks to new advances in the technology. Alternative methods such as excision and dermabrasion can result in scarring and is reportedly very painful.

When you go for laser treatment to remove a tattoo, you will first be given glasses to shield your eyes. The skin will then be tested for unexpected reactions. If all goes well then the instrument will be placed over the area of your skin being treated and the laser beam activated. Most people describe the sensation of the pulsing laser as being snapped with an elastic band. It is usual for an ice pack to be applied afterwards and for a bandage to be applied to protect the area from sunlight and irritation.

However, despite the fact that it is easy to get laser treatment these days, I still say that prevention is better than the cure. Think carefully about any body modification before going ahead.