Laser Tattoo Removal is Effective & Safe, Proper Aftercare is Essential

Although laser tattoo removal is effective and safe, proper aftercare is essential to minimize discomfort or undesirable results.   Astanza, the manufacturer of the laser which we use here at North Houston Laser Tattoo Removal, provides a detailed list of laser tattoo removal aftercare dos and don’ts on their website astanzalaser.com.    Here’s an abbreviated list:

  • Keep the affected area covered with a thin layer of antibiotic ointment and a sterile gauze for the first 3 days. After 3 days, keep the area clean and dry for the remainder of the healing process.  If you do wash the affected area, clean it gently and pat dry.
  • To reduce pain and discomfort and swelling, apply cool compresses for the first 24 hours as often as needed. You can take acetaminophen-based pain reducers (e.g. Tylenol) but DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN as it can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
  • To use itching, use Aquaphor, Vitamin E ointment, or hydrocortisone. Do not pick scabs or shave over the affected area as this increases the likelihood of scarring.
  • Wear a sunblock of at least SPF 25 for 3 months when out in the sun
  • See a physician as soon as possible if you see any signs of infection which Astanza describes as “honey-colored crusting, oozing, spreading redness”.

Whether you have recently had laser tattoo removal or are planning to have one removed, please take your aftercare very seriously to prevent issues with your skin and to ensure the best possible long-term results.  If you have any questions about the laser tattoo removal procedure, please contact North Houston Laser Tattoo Removal at 281.440.GONE (4663)

 

What Is Salabrasion Tattoo Removal?

Salabrasion is a procedure that has been done since antiquity in which the skin is sanded using an abrasive object such as a wood block with a compound of salt and water.  While it can be somewhat effective, infection and scarring are common side effects.  Multiple sessions are almost always necessary

( http://www.ehow.com/way_5335587_salabrasion-removing-tattoos.html ).

In contrast to the ancient salbrasion method, state of the art laser tattoo removal carries “minimal risk” (http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/laser-tattoo-removal ) and there is only “a slight chance that the treatment can leave you with a permanent scar”  http://www.medicinenet.com/tattoo_removal/page2.htm

If you would like more information regarding the pros and cons of the various methods of tattoo removal, feel free to give us a call at (281) 440-GONE(4664).

Removing the Street Tattoos to Get Away from Past

There are many situations that people who have been in gangs or situations where they have tattoos that mark their past.  Here are some examples of people getting their tattoos removed to leave the street behind.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/03/13/erasing-life-street-one-tattoo-time/70217914/

Take a look at this video and then give North Houston Laser Tattoo Removal a call at 281.440.GONE (4663)

Sherry Not Cool With “I Love Mary”?

Unfortunately, tattoos often last longer than the love relationships they commemorate. Five years ago you thought you and Mary would be together for the rest of your lives.  But now you’re engaged to Sherry and having to see your pledge of love to your previous lover is an unpleasant and unnecessary jab to her heart that she will have to endure for the rest of your time together.

Unless you do something about it.   So this time, instead of showing your love by getting a tattoo, why not show it by removing the one that is hurting the one you now hold dear?

She’ll love you for it.  Give Laser Tattoo Removal a call for a free consultation.

 

 

There is no Safe way to Pursue Tattoo Dermabrasion

Although most tattoos have some memory or meaningful reason behind them, some of them are not particularly well thought-out. Fortunately, laser removal offers a safe, quick, and efficient way to help you get rid of regrettable or misguided tattoos, though some people still pursue other procedures, like dermabrasion.

In general, all tattoo removal procedures hold some degree of risk, despite great improvements over the years. Unfortunately, non-laser treatments do not work as well, and tend to be quite dangerous, leaving the patient with harmful, and sometimes, permanent side effects.

Dermabrasion tattoo removal, as the name suggests, is one of the extremely invasive techniques used before the advent of laser removal procedures, yet some people still pursue it today in the hope that it will help to remove their tattoo. This technique literally abrades the skin, as the user relies on salt crystals, sterilized sandpaper, diamond wheel, wire brush, or other mechanical means to sand down or scrape away the skin. The patient suffers a considerable amount of pain, so it can only be performed under local anesthetic.

If you are still not convinced that this is not the right way to remove a tattoo, dermabrasion removes several layers of skin – deep enough to get rid of the tattoo. This injures the dermis, which does not renew itself, leading to scarring, bleeding, discoloration, and even an infection. It also takes months to heal properly, yet you may not get the desired effect.

How to Correct your Permanent Face Tattoos

There are many growing trends in the health and beauty industry, including cosmetic tattooing or permanent makeup. Individuals without eyebrows, faint eyebrows or partial eyebrows rely on cosmetic tattoos to enhance their look. Similar services include the lip tattoo, which helps to define the lip line and reduce “lipstick bleed”, and eyeliner tattoo for those who don’t want to use an eye pencil every day.

However, these eyebrow tattoos tend to fade, discolor, or change their original shape with time, forcing you to rely on heavy makeup or big sunglasses to avoid embarrassment. Some people prefer to go for corrective measures, such as color adjustment or shape adjustment.

The former is used when the shape of the lip, eyebrow tattoo is still okay but the color is poor, so a corrective pigment color is tattooed over the faded makeup. Shape adjustment involves additional makeup tattooing to enhance the shape, balance, or symmetry of uneven permanent makeup on lips or eyebrows

For those who want a face tattoo removed, then they should consider using the MedLite C-6 laser technique. This procedure is safe, and leads to the permanent removal of lip or eyebrow tattoos, though the number of procedures required depends on the amount of ink used, and how deep it was injected.

Tattoo Removal Creams – How Effective are they?

Tattoo removal discussions typically revolve around laser removal, abrasive formula, or DIY creams. Many people claim to know the best way forward, although their suggestions are neither based on their personal experiences, nor the opinions of expert clinicians or dermatologists.

Do not be fooled that any of the tattoo removal creams on the market can help you get rid of your tattoo. They are neither safe, nor effective. Reason? When you get a tattoo, the ink pigment is embedded below your skin’s epidermal layer, beyond the reach of any tattoo removal cream.

Tattoo creams contain chemicals such as TCA, Alpha Arbutin, Kojic Acid, and Hydroquinone, which are intended to dissolve the tattoo from your skin, but they don’t work. Some of these products contain bleaching agents or highly caustic trichloroacetic acid, which can actually harm your skin.

It is unfortunate that anyone buying these creams is only wasting their money. The only way to remove a tattoo, without damaging your skin, is through a laser procedure, which breaks up the ink pigment into micro particles that the body can safely remove – on its own – allowing the tattoo to lighten progressively.