One fifth of British adults have got tattoos and it is no longer scrutinised but accepted as normal to have multiple tattoos about your person. You cannot walk down the street without seeing several people sporting arm sleeves or leg tats, and walking along a beach would be like walking around an art studio because tattoos have become a mainstream part of society.
Unwanted
But what happens if you change your mind and want to get rid of your tattoo? Unwanted tattoos can be removed gradually over a series of sessions using a laser. Laser removal can be a slow process with ten or more sessions required to remove one tattoo. It can be uncomfortable and there are limitations as to how well the tattoo is removed, and it is also quite costly. The sessions last between 10-30 minutes depending on the dimensions of a tattoo, and it should become lighter with each treatment.
Aftercare
After the treatment, the skin may be raised and red and it may bleed slightly before scabbing over. This may last for about a week. It is advisable not to go swimming or use a sauna until the scab has dropped off. Don’t use soap or perfumed products and avoid tanning beds and sun exposure. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least 24 hours after each treatment. Your body needs all its energy to rebuild healthy skin so you are best to rest and relax as much as possible. Aloe Vera and Vaseline should be applied to help keep your skin moist and clean.
Clinics
There are clinics available across the UK who perform laser treatment, for example laser tattoo removal in Gloucester http://www.chlaser.co.uk/. The advanced technology works by allowing the light produced by the laser to pass through the skin and break up the tattoo ink into tiny particles. Your immune system then disposes of these fragments from your body.
Side effects
You should leave 6-8 weeks between sessions and during this time you may experience a number of side effects from the laser treatment including blistering, redness, itchiness, swelling and dryness, so make sure you follow the recommended aftercare instructions. If you experience the same symptoms after each session, it may be necessary to leave a longer period between sessions to enable the skin to heal fully.