This video shows the laser breaking up the ink inside the skin. You can observe immediate results as the tattoo dissapears. Each pulse of the laser feels like a rubberband snapping on the skin.

Typical costs:

Tattoos can be removed using several different methods: laser removal, excision or dermabrasion, and the cost varies for each technique. Laser tattoo removal, which is the most common method, and usually the best, ranges from $200 to $500 per session, according to InfoPlasticSurgery.com. Since it can take from five to twenty sessions to remove a tattoo, the total cost could reach $10,000.

What should be included:

In laser tattoo removal, the surgeon uses a high-intensity laser beam to blast the pigment, breaking it into tiny particles that dissipate into the body. Different types of lasers target different colors, so the bigger and more colorful a tattoo, the more treatments it will likely require. In dermabrasion, the doctor uses a rotating brush to sand the skin, taking the pigment with it.

With excision, usually used for very small tattoos, the surgeon cuts away the tattoo, then stitches up the wound. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery provides an overview of each method.

Additional costs:

Some patients find laser tattoo removal painful - it has been compared to being splattered with hot grease - so some elect to have a local anesthetic. This might costs extra - about $50 or more per shot. The surgeon might also prescribe an anesthetic cream to be applied after the treatment.

Shopping for tattoo removal:

Tip: Beware of companies that sell creams and lotions that promise to remove tattoos - experts agree these do not work. Instead, find a dermatologic surgeon who is experienced in tattoo removal and has been certified by the American Board of Dermatology. The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery offers a free physician finder service. Just type in your state and choose “tattoo removal” under procedure.

Tip: Keep in mind that if you opt for laser tattoo removal, the number of sessions needed will depend on several factors, including the size of the tattoo, the number of colors used, which colors were used, and whether you have previously tried to mask your tattoo by getting another tattoo on top of it. Some colors, such as turquoise and yellow, are particularly difficult to remove; and in some cases, the tattoo can only be faded, but not fully removed. And, rarely, some ink colors react badly to the laser, turning dark instead of disappearing; this is irreversible. Other possible side effects include scarring and bleaching of the skin. The Tattoo Removal Laser Clinic offers some before-and-after photos of successful tattoo removals.

Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.

Article Source: http://www.costhelper.com/cost/health/tattoo-removal.html

By Jen Owens

By the time you’ve gotten a tattoo I’m sure you’ve researched and thought the whole process out. You’re no longer wigged out by the permanence of a cartoon character or playing cards or whatever peeled your banana in the first place.

It sure does look great on the first day. Bright, clear, colorful (at least nice and black). You spent money and time on this piece; now spend just a little more time taking care of it.

You probably left out of the tattoo parlor all wrapped up. You’re eager to go home and unwrap it. Good for you! Enjoy it; it’s there forever. Carefully peel off any bandages that were applied and mix a weak soap and water mixture together. I find gently (and I do mean gently) cleaning the area with your hand works the best. Cloth towels can be very harsh and toilet paper will just turn into little piles of wet mush, which aren’t a picnic to pick off your skin. Clean the area so any ink/fluids/ointments applied are gone.

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