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Around 30 percent of Americans have at least one tattoo. Getting a tattoo is an extremely popular way to express your appreciation for body art. However, not everyone is satisfied after getting inked. Fortunately, there is an option available to you for getting rid of an unwanted tattoo in the form of laser tattoo removal.

Above all else, it’s important to visit a facility that employs a dermatologist who is skilled at laser tattoo removal. For patients near Farmington, MI and surrounding areas, Farmington Dermatology is a top-notch facility known for impeccable results and patient care. You can have a consultation with Dr. David A. Baird, a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in laser tattoo removal and a number of other areas. Dr. Baird can alleviate your fears and answer all your questions.

How Does Laser Removal Work?

Lasers are able to remove tattoos by breaking up the pigment colors through high-intensity beams of light. However, if you have tattoos with a lot of black pigment, they are more stubborn and are far more difficult to remove.

Prior to scheduling an appointment, you should first have a consultation with the doctor so they can evaluate your tattoos and give you more information as to what to expect during the procedure. You may have to undergo several treatments depending on a variety of factors, including the size and color of your tattoo and your age and skin type. It’s important to note that your skin color and the depth of the pigment can also affect the laser tattoo removal technique used.

What to Expect During a Treatment

You can expect the following during a laser tattoo removal treatment session:

• You are given a pair of protective eye guards or shields
• Your skin’s reaction is tested with lasers to determine which is most effective for tattoo removal
• The technician uses a laser to have pulses of light through the topmost layers of skin where the tattoo pigment lies.

If you have a smaller tattoo, fewer pulses are needed, but more is required if your tattoo is on the large side. Regardless of the size of your ink, however, you need several treatment sessions to completely remove it. The tattoo is lighter with each appointment.

You probably won’t need anesthesia, but you may get an anesthesia cream to apply to the area depending on where your tattoo is situated. After treatment, you can use an icepack to soothe the area, use the antibiotic cream and cover the area with a bandage for protection. Sunscreen or sunblock should be used whenever you go outside as well.

Laser Tattoo Removal and Cancer

Some people have a fear that laser tattoo removal can cause cancer. While the treatment itself cannot lead to cancer, if a person has a suspicious lesion on their skin that they have since covered with a tattoo, getting the treatment can worsen it if it is skin cancer. For that reason, the tattoo should never be treated with lasers.

Contact Farmington Dermatology to get a consultation with Dr. Baird so he can address all of your concerns surrounding laser tattoo removal.