Laser Tattoo Removal FAQs You’d Want a Skin Expert to Answer Part II
Hundreds of thousands have tattoos and among them, a huge number also wish to have some of their pieces removed. Thankfully, laser tattoo removal has long been proven to be an effective method in removing or fading tattoos. But because it’s still relatively new, many have a lot of questions about laser tattoo removal.
Some of those questions we have addressed in the first part of this post. And now, we are going to answer a few more questions that we believe you should know about laser tattoo removal:
Why Does One’s Medical History Matter When Getting Tattoo Removals?
Most dermatologists who perform tattoo removal procedures have their own set of “rules” when it comes to their patients’ medical history. It is important to know that when it comes to tattoos, having any past medical condition does not necessarily mean that you can’t have a tattoo removed. Rather, some of these conditions might require special attention to lessen the possibility of complications.
People who have had any of these diseases should see a dermatologist before having their tattoos removed:
- HIV/AIDS
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Acne
- Acne scars
- Lupus
- Freckles
- Herpes
- Porphyria
- Hereditary or genetic disorders
- Excessive alcohol or drug use
- History of keloids
Does Skin Type Affect the Effectivity of Tattoo Removal?
Yes, it does. Skin type is one of the major factors that will determine the effectiveness of tattoo removal. The skin is classified according to the Fitzpatrick Scale, which is basically a series of six types, from type 1 to type 6.
A person with type 1 skin is the fairest skin among all the types. Type 4 is the darkest skin. A person with type 1 skin is usually not prone to hyperpigmentation (also called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) and does not need as much laser energy as a person with a darker skin tone.
Nevertheless, a person with a darker skin tone can still have excellent results from laser tattoo removal, provided that dark skin colour did not come from birth. Skin colour that is due to sun exposure or hormones, such as the case in liver spots, melasma, or pregnancy mask, would be good types to have their tattoos removed.
What Is a Laser Tattoo Modification or Cover-Up?
Laser tattoo modifications and cover-ups are basically a process where the colour of one’s tattoo is changed or covered up by adding more colour to the tattoo. The idea is to make the tattoo artist’s design less noticeable.
But laser tattoo modifications are not the same as laser tattoo removal. They can go hand in hand, but they can also be done separately. A laser tattoo removal will remove the original ink underneath your skin. A laser tattoo modification, on the other hand, will go over the original tattoo so that the design is still visible but the colour will have a different shade.
How Is Amateur Tattoo Different From Professional Tattoo?
A professional tattoo is done by a licensed tattoo artist. He or she will design your tattoo to look exactly as you want. If ever you are not satisfied with the design of your tattoo, you can return to your tattoo artist for an additional payment for a second session.
An amateur tattoo is usually done by a friend or a family member who is not a licensed tattoo artist. Amateur tattoos can result in uneven lines, bleeding, infection, or other complications. They are essentially permanent.
Conclusion
Tattoo removal is a delicate process. It involves different lasers that have different wavelengths and power settings. Different people experience different side effects as well. Therefore, before you decide to have a tattoo removed, you should consult with a laser tattoo removal expert.
SKYN is a trusted aesthetic clinic in Perth that offers laser tattoo removal along with other services. Contact us today so we can set up a consultation for you!