Treating the tattoo with a fractional ablative laser, prior to treatment with the tattoo laser can also speed put the treatment process. The R-20 method, two treatments on the same day separated by 20 minutes, has also been shown to accelerate the laser tattoo removal process.
If you want to lighten a bad tattoo quickly, the best options are early exfoliation, chemical peels, or professional laser/saline treatments. While at-home remedies can help gradually fade the tattoo, laser removal is the fastest and most effective method for significant results.
The lymphatic system is responsible for eliminating ink particles after laser treatment. Similar to the circulatory system, yet lacking a central pump like the heart, the lymphatic fluid is propelled by daily muscular contractions. Massaging mimics these contractions and accelerates the elimination process.
Initially the tattoo is unlikely to look any different but will fade over the following 4-8 weeks as the body disperses it.
There are plenty of possible reasons why a laser treatment can't get rid of the tattoo on the skin, but it's mostly because of the type of laser used and its wavelength. Other reasons might be the inexperienced laser technician and the age of the tattoo.
Ice the Area
You should ice the tattoo removal area immediately following your appointment. You should apply ice to the area in 1 to 3-minute increments, as this will help alleviate the heat and prevent blistering. However, make sure you're not applying ice directly to the skin.
Don't Pick at Healing Skin
You might see scabs or your skin peeling after the removal. Resist the urge to pick at it! Unlike pimple popping, your finger will do more damage to your skin and leave scars. It can also cause complications, such as an infection.
The best tip people always give for healthy and glowing skin is to drink a lot of water and stay hydrated. This tip also works for tattoo removal aftercare. Laser tattoo removal fragments the ink, which is then filtered out by your body's lymphatic system; this also triggers the immune system.
Buff out the damage once or twice a week on fully healed tattoos. Apply BUFF to a washcloth or shower scrubber and use a circular motion to gently polish off dead skin and grunge residue. If your skin gets red, sore, or inflamed, lay off the buffing and stick to moisturizing until your skin is healed.
Why Vaseline and petroleum-based jelly aren't great for a new tattoo. Petroleum-based products can cause ink to fade and may trap moisture and bacteria on top of the tattoo, increasing your risk of developing an infection. Use water-based moisturizers on new tattoos instead.
Essentially the laser breaks apart the larger ink particles into tiny fragments for your white blood cells to carry away through the lymphatic system. As the white blood cells are working to naturally remove the fragments, the tattoo can often look more vibrant due to there being more tiny particles in the dermis.
In contrast, a weakened immune system may slow down tattoo removal, requiring more treatments and extending the overall process. Factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, and even hydration levels can influence your immune health and, consequently, your tattoo removal results.
One way to increase the efficiency of the tattoo removal process is to increase circulation, as this can ensure ink is eliminated quickly. Exercise can boost circulation (and your mood), so it's an important step in the tattoo removal routine.
Drinking plenty of water not only supports your body's natural processes but also gives your immune system a boost, helping it flush out ink particles more efficiently during laser tattoo removal.
Gently massaging the treated area after laser tattoo removal can significantly enhance your results. It improves lymphatic drainage, promotes circulation, and reduces swelling, all of which aid in recovery and tattoo fading.
Frosting is a temporary side effect that lasts anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes after the treatment and is very much a good thing. This reaction indicates the laser is penetrating the ink effectively. On top of that, it also shows that your body is reacting and healing quickly.
Laser treatments may darken or lighten skin pigment over and around the tattoo. Sun exposure can also cause blistering and increase the time it takes to heal. Be sure to apply sunscreen before and after laser tattoo removal to minimize changes in your skin pigment.
Many people start to see their ink fade after three appointments. Given six to eight weeks between each session, you can expect the results to start showing a few months after the process starts.
Get Active
Getting your body up and moving will increase blood flow, which helps to break down the ink particles in your skin faster. Try to add more physical activity to your daily (or weekly) routine and you'll be more likely to see better results from your treatments.