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.
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.
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.
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.
Eating a well balanced diet along with an intake of vitamins and supplements known to increase white blood cell count such as Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B6 and B12 will all boost your immune system. Your body is the vehicle used for tattoo removal.
Smoking slows down the healing process and impacts the immune system. This increases the number of removal sessions you have to undergo. Smoking also leads to poor blood circulation, which impacts oxygen and nutrients delivery to the treated area. As a result, the tattoo fades slowly.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Exfoliation - Exfoliation paired with hydrogen peroxide can do wonders to gradually fade tattoo ink naturally. This is because exfoliation removes dead skin while hydrogen peroxide is a skin lightening agent that has bleaching properties.
Speeding up tattoo removal can be as simple as speeding up your heart rate. Exercising regularly can increase both your immune system and blood flow which will in turn break down and expel ink particles faster. Tattoo removal patients who add daily physical activity while being treated will see faster results!
Take Your Time
Many doctors have found that patients who wait the recommended eight weeks between tattoo removal treatments can actually require fewer sessions and enjoy clearer results with less scarring than those who rush the process. Take your time, let your skin heal, and watch your ink almost magically fade away.
Tattoos that don't go away completely.
It's unlikely that your tattoo will be completely removed. In many cases, certain colors may be more effectively removed than others. Blue and black tattoos, for example, respond well to laser treatment. Colors like yellow, red, and white are harder to remove.
Moisturize the area with over-the-counter hydrocortisone 1% mixed with either Vaseline® or Aquaphor®, up to three times daily or as needed to help reduce irritation or itching. Avoid topical irritants— these potentially include harsh soaps, medicated washes, scrubs, oils, numbing agents or antibacterial creams.
We recommend taking 500-1,000 mg Vitamin C to help your skin's healing process. Other good supplements to take are: Vitamin A (10,000-25,000 IU), Zinc (15-30 mg), and Bromelain (500-1,000 mg).
Use a vitamin E ointment
You can apply a vitamin E gel or aloe vera gel to ease any discomfort and reduce itching and swelling. You should wait 48 hours before applying this, however. Before this, you can use a cold compress or ice pack in the treatment area.
Unlike some other ingredients on this DIY tattoo removal list, aloe vera has no harmful effects. But don't get too excited. Rubbing aloe vera over a tattoo isn't going to do anything other than hydrate your skin.
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.
A massage can greatly speed up tattoo removal. A lymphatic massage helps to make the system in your body that is responsible for clearing out unwanted tattoo ink stronger and more effective.
Laser tattoo removal, in most cases, is more effective for individuals with lighter skin. This is because lighter skin doesn't absorb laser light, most of the laser energy is focused on the tattoo pigment.
Tattoos in high blood flow areas can be removed faster than those on extremities. Extremities like fingers have low blood flow, which can take longer, while the chest and upper back have high blood flow and can generally be removed more quickly.
The national average cost* of tattoo removal is $353 but can range between $272 and $659. The cost can vary based on variables such as: Size of the tattoo. Depth of the ink.