Most Common Questions About Laser Tattoo Removal in Singapore

Posted by nishimj on March 16th, 2021

Here is the simple truth: there are a lot of reasons for getting a tattoo – it can be personal, cultural, political, or religious – and just as many reasons for wanting to remove them.A recent survey shows that a quarter of the tattooed population regrets getting their tattoo. Looking at it from a different perspective, that is easily equal to one in four people! If you are part of that group, then you might be relieved to hear that laser tattoo removal can help you get rid of your unwanted ink.Dr. Wan Chee Kwang will answer all your questions about the procedure in this article.

How do lasers work when removing tattoos?

Lasers are capable of shattering pigment colors with the use of a super-charged light beam. Of all the colors, lasers do not have a hard time in treating black tattoo pigment because of its ability to soak up all wavelengths. Other pigment colors like yellow and green are harder to treat and may need specific types of laser to achieve satisfactory results.

How many sessions do I need?

Tattoos have several layers of ink that are buried deep within the skin and a single tattoo removal session using lasers will not be enough to completely shatter all of the pigment colors. The number of sessions that you will need will depend on several factors concerning the tattoo such as the size, color, and age as well as your skin color. The density of ink and the depth of pigment insertion can also affect the number of sessions. The average number of sessions needed to completely remove (or lighten) a tattoo is somewhere between six to ten and that can take a year or more to finish, with an interval of at least eight weeks in between sessions.

Does the treatment hurt?

This is the question that every dermatologist or medical practitioner who performs laser tattoo removal gets almost every day., According to patients who have undergone laser tattoo removal treatments, the process can be best described as uncomfortable but tolerable. On the other hand, there are those who claim that getting a tattoo removed is way more painful than actually getting tattooed! It can be quite confusing (and somehow terrifying) but it helps to know that pain is pretty subjective and different people have different pain tolerance levels. In any case, your dermatologist may apply a topical numbing cream or use injectable anesthesia if you find the pain unbearable.

If you want to have your tattoo removed by laser but you are worried about not being able to handle the pain during the treatment, you can think about it this way: if you have managed to sit tight for several hours while a sharp needle drills pigment colors into your skin, then certainly, you can do the same for the removal of your unwanted tattoo! Just think of it as a “no pain, no gain” scenario. Or if you cannot finish all sessions needed to remove all traces of the tattoo, you may choose to lighten the ink just enough for it to be less noticeable. From then you can be get creative and have a cover-up done.

I have dark skin. Can I still undergo laser tattoo removal?

It is a common misconception that if a patient has dark skin, a laser tattoo removal treatment is not suitable for him or her. When proper techniques and caution is exercised during the treatment, it is possible to avoid complications like hypopigmentation, a condition where the treated area is lighter in color than the actual skin tone. This is caused by the destruction of melanin in the particular area and it can be attributed to the improper laser handling techniques.

What happens during a laser tattoo removal session?

First, the dermatologist will cleanse the area to be treated with an antiseptic solution. This will be followed by the application of a local anesthesia. You will also be given a pair of protective eye shields. The dermatologist will use a hand-held laser device to target tattoo pigments without causing harm to the surrounding skin. Overall, the treatment may take 30 to 45 minutes depending on the size and type of the tattoo.

What will happen after the treatment?

 A recovery cream will be administered to the area where the laser was applied to immediately after the treatment. You will experience common post-treatment symptoms like bleeding, blistering, redness and swelling. These are typically gone after two to four weeks. In some rare cases, there are patients who experience scarring, while some notice changes in the color of their skin or in the skin texture.

Your dermatologist will prescribe an antibiotic cream to be applied to the blistered skin for two weeks after each treatment. You will also need a bandage to keep the treated area clean and to promote faster healing.  Lastly, away from too much direct sunlight and if you need to go outside, you should apply sunscreen and/or cover the wound with ample clothing to protect it from harmful UV rays.

Following the aftercare instructions is critical because it will ensure that the wound will heal properly and without the risk of complications and infections.

Is there downtime? If yes, how long will it last?

Dermatologists recommend to wait for at least 8 weeks before the next laser tattoo removal session to allow the skin to heal and to see how it reacts to the treatment. If you are experiencing any side effect, the waiting time may have to be longer.

The removal of an unwanted tattoo takes a lot of time, effort, and patience. Unlike other aesthetic procedures that promise instant results, a laser tattoo removal treatment requires long-term commitment if you want to achieve your desired result. This means that the process can take months and years, and a lot sessions in between. Sure, there are other options that you can consider – surgery, dermabrasion, cover-up – but in the end, laser remains to be the safest and most effective choice for tattoo removal.