Have you ever questioned whether the ease of removal of a tattoo is influenced by its age? Despite what many people believe, a tattoo’s ageing process is only sometimes the most crucial element in a successful laser removal.
Although older tattoos may fade more easily, several factors affect the process, including the type of ink used, the tattoo’s location, exposure to sunlight, and general health. This comprehensive article will delve into several elements affecting the effectiveness of older tattoo removal.
By understanding these factors, you will be well-equipped to make the best choice and achieve the most significant outcomes, considering laser treatments or other techniques. As experts in the field, we are here to guide you through the nuances of advanced technology tattoo removal machines and help you determine the best course of action for your circumstances.
An Overview of Techniques for Removing Tattoos
Laser tattoo removal has emerged as the industry standard. It uses high-energy light pulses to break up tattoo ink into smaller pieces that the body’s immune system can more readily absorb and remove. This technique works exceptionally well for older tattoos because the skin has had more time to dissolve the ink over time.
Non-laser tattoo removal techniques, such as dermabrasion and saline, provide an alternative to laser technology, such as PhantomTM laser tattoo removal. While the saline solution is introduced into the tattoo to break up the ink particles, dermabrasion removes the tattoo by physically sanding off the top layers of the skin.
These non-laser methods may leave more scars and require more recovery time than laser removal, but they can also be more successful. The wavelength and intensity of the laser light are customised to the type of ink used in the tattoo to ensure optimal efficacy in dissolving the pigment. This targeted approach is essential because different ink colours and formulations react differently to laser therapy.
Why Is It Easier to Remove Older Tattoos?
Older tattoos are more straightforward to remove due to two considerations, even though both new and old tattoos are composed of identical ink particles that are broken down throughout the removal process:
- Exposure to Sunlight
The more sun exposure a tattoo receives, the more it will eventually fade. Direct sunlight gradually breaks down the ink particles. Laser tattoo removal devices work similarly, but sunlight takes time to erase the tattoo.
Don’t try to stay outside to remove an undesirable tattoo; sitting in the sun will not do it. The sun is more likely to cause skin harm than to be effective as a tattoo removal method. The original colours of older tattoos have faded due to sufficient sun exposure.
Because the sun has already destroyed some of the ink particles on the patient’s skin, laser tattoo removal techniques for older tattoos require far less time and effort.
- Rejection of the Body
To maintain its integrity, the body eliminates any foreign material it finds. It attempts to gradually remove the tattoo since ink particles are seen as a danger to the body. The body assaults the ink particles gradually until the colour fades, even if it doesn’t always reject the injection of a fresh tattoo.
However, the body cannot remove the tattoo alone. Advanced technology tattoo removal machine breaks down the ink particles so the body can absorb and flush them out more quickly. Similar to sun exposure, some ink particles from previous tattoos have been removed by body rejection.
This facilitates the rapid and efficient removal of undesired tattoos by laser professionals and the laser removal machine.
Ways to Get Rid of Older Tattoos
When it comes to removing older tattoos, there are two main techniques: laser tattoo removal and non-laser techniques like dermabrasion and saline. Laser removal uses high-energy light pulses to break up the tattoo ink, while non-laser methods physically remove the tattoo or introduce a solution to break up the ink particles.
Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each method will help you choose the best treatment for your older tattoo.
Laser Tattoo Removal
Laser tattoo removal is the most popular and successful technique for getting rid of older tattoos. In this method, high-energy laser pulses target and break apart the tattoo ink into smaller fragments that the body’s immune system can more readily absorb and remove.
The PhantomTM laser is a cutting-edge instrument for removing new and old tattoos. It has shown to be very effective, often producing excellent results in a few short months. The PhantomTM laser is unique because it can target any ink colour on any skin type using full-power wavelengths and a patented colourblind laser emission, ensuring safe and accurate treatments.
In contrast to conventional heat-based lasers, the PhantomTM employs acoustic shockwaves to evaporate ink without harming the skin. This results in a quicker tattoo removal process, usually taking 4-6 sessions and a shorter recuperation period. This novel method dramatically lowers the possibility of scarring and other negative consequences.
Dermabrasion Tattoo Removal
Dermabrasion removes skin layers with a sanding tool so ink can seep out. It is a less common choice because of the significant variations in effectiveness between individuals. If you have eczema or susceptible skin, you should avoid dermabrasion.
If you take blood thinners, you may also be more vulnerable to bleeding, bruises, and skin colour changes after the treatment. Skin colour alterations may also be more likely to occur in darker-skinned people.
A doctor usually gives a local anaesthetic during a dermabrasion procedure to lessen discomfort. To allow tattoo ink to escape, they sand off the outermost layers of skin using high-speed rotating abrasive equipment.
This is often completed in a single procedure at a cosmetic surgeon’s office. The size and colour of your tattoo will determine how long the process takes. More than an hour may be needed to treat larger, multicoloured tattoos. The treated area may feel raw and unpleasant for a few days following the surgery.
It may take two to three weeks to heal fully. The treated area’s pinkness or discolouration typically disappears in eight to twelve weeks.
Conclusion
The type of ink, the location of the tattoo, and the reaction of your skin all greatly influence the removal process, even if older tattoos may be a little simpler to fade because of the natural ink breakdown over time.
Lasers are the best way to remove tattoos, but it’s crucial to understand the risks and difficulties. Having this knowledge will enable you to make wise choices and get the most out of your tattoo removal experience.