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March 9th, 2012
We’ve all got memories from the past that we’d rather forget – a bad relationship, experience or a moment of madness (comes in many forms). Time heals the effects of most of them. However, it’s a different ball game when it comes to tattoos. An unwanted tattoo can cause stress and low self-esteem. Tattoos in visible parts of the body such as arms or the face can have detrimental effects when applying for jobs or a promotion due to the unpopular stance it has with some employers. The good news is that, technological advancements have paved way for effective tattoo removal to get rid of those unwanted tattoos using laser. How does it work? The laser modified to specific wavelengths of light and targeted at the tattooed area. This light is pulsed for a fraction of a second and sends a shockwave of light through the outer layers of the skin and it disrupts the ink, allowing the body’s immune system to naturally break it down and absorb it. The most common feedback on the “pain issue” is that it feels like a rubber band snapping against the skin. Applying a topical anaesthetic a hour before treatment can help. Scarring If proper methodology and the latest laser technology are used it is highly unlikely that any scarring will occur. Number of Sessions The number of sessions required will depend on how long the tattoo has been there, type and amount of ink, depth and the colours used. When using the latest laser technology, tattoos can be completely removed within about five treatments. We will advice you on the number of treatments required upon your initial consultation. It is also possible to fade away the tattoo to pave way for a fresh cover up tattoo. It may take very few treatments to get the desired results. Since laser technology is very sophisticated and deals with your skin, it’s always advisable to ensure you choose a properly qualified and skilled cosmetic physician to do the needful. November 11th, 2011
Contrary to popular belief, laser is not penetrative nor is it harmful, as it’s simply light, operated at varying wavelengths. The laser is focused on the affected area at a predetermined wavelength to destroy targets in the affected area whilst leaving tissue in surrounding areas untouched. The entire procedure causes a very low level of damage and contains minimal risk, if administered by an expert. Potential targets of laser treatment are melanin (found in pigment and also hair shaft if you have dark hair); haemoglobin (red pigment in blood), attacking which helps treat thread veins, blue veins and varicose veins. Certain types of dyes and inks found in tattoos too can be attacked using laser, which imperative for tattoo removals. Downtime following the treatment is dependent on the type of treatment administered. If the area being treated is very specific, such as thread veins, pigmentation or hair, you will generally be up and about by the end of the day or the next day at the latest. However, if a problem like water is being treated, since it is located everywhere in the tissue, downtime maybe anywhere between 1-2 weeks. November 16th, 2010
A tattoo can have several meanings and sometimes they can lose the significance or relevance as time goes by. As a teenager you may have gotten tattoos that might not have much significance to your life but at that time would have been a fad to follow. For example getting a tattoo of your favourite football team name on your chest or that Celtic armband tattoo might have looked nice at that time but would look rather stupid by now.
Lasers are very good for the removal of professional tattoos: these are a type of tattoo in which the pigments have been injected into the deeper layer of skin the dermis, and become fixed into position by means of the surrounding collagen layers. These layers form a network, effectively locking in the tattoo which makes it very difficult to remove. There is a certain type of laser for this procedure called a Q-switched or quality switched laser. A Q-switched laser emits light in a particular way in short, sharp pulses, which break down the tattoo pigments. These are then absorbed by the feeding cells within the skin. This light energy is measured in nano – metres (nm) and is emitted at frequencies of 532nm or 1064 nm.
This laser treatment procedure will have been discussed beforehand by your practitioner or cosmetic physician. He or she will outline the risks as well as the benefits and will tell you what the likely outcome will be.
Avoid exposing your tattoo to the sun or using a sun bed four weeks prior to your tattoo removal treatment. Your cosmetic physician will also ask you about your medical history and will ask you to sign a consent form. This is a written statement to the effect that you understand what the procedure is and the benefits/risks involved. He/she may also take before and after photographs of the tattoo. A test patch will be performed to see how well (or not) your tattoo responds to the laser. The results of this will determine the type of laser used and the outcome.
The main thing is to try and relax during the procedure. It is important to note that this is not a painless procedure and you will experience some discomfort. However a topical anesthetic in the form of a cream will be applied to your skin beforehand which will help to numb the area. You will also be given protective eye goggles to wear and possibly a small hand-held fan to cool down the treated area. The procedure can last from several minutes through to an hour although this depends upon the size and type of tattoo. Any heating of your skin will be kept to a minimum in order to reduce the incidence of scars forming but be prepared for some minimal scarring. October 13th, 2010
There is a rise in the trend of people getting their skin inked and at the same time media sources report of an increased number of celebrities getting their tattoos removed. Thanks to Laser Tattoo Removals, permanent tattoos are not so permanent.
How does Laser tattoo removal work? A laser that reacts with the tattoo ink is used for tattoo removal. It then breaks the ink down; the broken ink is then absorbed to the skin, which creates a natural fading caused by light or sun exposure. The laser must be capable of producing enough energy to absorb the pigment to provide effective treatment. Yellow, green and florescent inks are more challenging to treat than the darker blacks and blues. What does tattoo removal involve?
It is advisable to avoid sun exposure and tanning before and during treatments, so that you can get the maximum results of Laser Tattoo Removal treatment. Types of laser treatments used for tattoo removal Multi-colour tattoo removal requires the use of two or more laser wavelengths. Tattoo removal lasers are usually identified by the lasing medium used to create the wavelength (measured in nanometers (nm)):
During the time of treatment you will experience pain similar to a stinging or burning sensation. A numbing cream or local anaesthesia may be used for sensitive skin to reduce the pain. Several treatment sessions should be performed to achieve significant results and it is better to have an interval of 4 – 8 weeks between each session. Who should avoid laser hair removal treatment?
Which clinic in Cheshire offers laser tattoo removal? Cheshire Cosmetics Ltd located in Kingsmead Medical Centre, Cheshire; offers you the facility to get your tattoo removed by laser. You can meet our Cosmetic Physician, Dr Raj Acquilla MBChB MRCGP MBACD who has over 7 years experience in Cosmetic Medicine, Dermatology and Minor Surgery and get your Laser tattoo removal done. September 30th, 2010
Laser tattoo removal treatment is the most effective treatment to get rid of an unwanted tattoo. However, laser treatment may leave a scar on the surface of the tattoo area and sometimes bruising and swelling as well. Many changes can happen before and after the tattoo removal treatment. Instant whitening on the treated skin area is normal and it will remain for a few minutes after the treatment. Blisters, crusts and scabs may appear after the treatment but it will disappear within the same day or a couple of days. These side effects vary from one patient to another, it depends on your skin condition as well. Some people may feel much more comfortable in same day after the laser tattoo removal treatment and others may need one week or two weeks to feel normal. Loss of skin pigment and skin area becoming pink is another noticeable change after the laser treatment. Maximum of six to eight weeks may be needed to recover completely. Once you have the laser tattoo removal treatment, our dermatologist at Cheshire Cosmetic will give you aftercare instructions for your laser tattoo removal treatment. You will need to follow all these instructions to heal quickly and avoid unnecessary circumstances.
• If necessary, apply a cool compresses for 24 hours after the laser tattoo removal treatment. This will help to control the discomfort and swelling. If you feel any unusual discomfort, bleeding, redness of treated area spreading, infection or other uncomfortable feelings, please contact Dr. Raj Acquilla the dermatologist at Cheshire for an immediate consultation or call the Cheshire cosmetic clinic on 01606 544535. |
