8 Signs You Need Laser Tattoo Removal in Raleigh, NC

If you feel regret about one or more of your tattoos, you’re not alone. According to one survey of 600 people, a staggering 75% of them regretted getting at least one of their tattoos. So are these people doomed to live life with something on their bodies they don’t like?

Fortunately, this isn’t the case. Laser tattoo removal is an incredible technology that can zap the ink right out of your skin in a few easy sessions. If you’re unsure of whether or not this procedure is right for you, read on to learn how it works and the 8 sure signs you need laser tattoo removal.

How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

Laser tattoo removal is a safe and effective procedure that removes tattoos from the skin. It typically only takes a few minutes to get through an entire laser tattoo removal appointment.

Tattoos naturally fade because your immune system recognizes that tattoo ink isn’t a natural part of the body. This causes your skin to break up tattoo particles and remove them.

Laser tattoo removal uses light to break up the tattoo into even smaller particles so it’s easier for your body to get rid of it. The laser light works at temperatures high enough to scar the skin – however, since we emit the laser in short bursts, little to no scarring occurs. The high temperature at brief intervals makes the laser powerful enough to shatter your tattoo.

When you get a tattoo, the ink is placed in the deepest layer of your skin, the dermis. It has to travel through an entire level of the skin, the epidermis, to take form. This is why tattoos hurt and bleed.

At the Laser Lounge Spa, we use the PicoWay Laser system for tattoo removal. This laser uses short, high-powered bursts to shatter tattoo ink while leaving the surface of your skin intact. It’s used on all skin types on tattoos of all colors. 

The PicoWay laser works faster than other systems, needing only a few brief treatments to entirely remove most tattoos.

We also use the Describe Patch, a laser removal accessory that allows our professionals to give more laser passes in one session. It helps prevent pain and swelling after your appointment, allowing you to schedule your next treatment sooner.

Laser tattoo removal is the safest way to remove any of your tattoos. So if you find you want one of your tattoos removed, you can rest assured there is a safe and easy way to do so.

1) The Tattoo Is Poor Quality

Not all tattoo shops are created equal. Sometimes, a beautiful design in the wrong hands can come out looking sloppy. The ink may run together, or the line work isn’t fulfilling your expectations.

Or perhaps your tattoo looked amazing at first, but the years have worn it down. This may be from a bad artist or your skin aging. Maybe you didn’t take care of it when you first got it done.

You don’t have to live with results you aren’t happy with down the line. Laser tattoo removal can make quick work of a faded or poor quality tattoo.

2) You’re Embarrassed

Tattoos are expensive and take work to maintain, so you should feel proud to flaunt them whenever you can. 

You shouldn’t have to constantly cover your tattoo with your clothes or makeup, or hate explaining the meaning of the piece to anybody who asks. If you find yourself doing this with one of your tattoos, it may be best to get rid of it and save yourself the hassle and the embarrassment.

3) It’s Interfering With Your Job

You may find that it’s harder to land a new job with your tattoo. Your boss may think it’s unprofessional and pass you up for a promotion because of it. The stigma that people with tattoos are criminals or have less intelligence unfortunately still runs rampant in this world. 

Though many employers are laxer when it comes to tattoos, there are still many industries that frown upon them, especially if they are in a highly visible area. If you’re an aspiring teacher, health care worker, or you desire a long career in the military, it may be best for your career to remove your tattoo.

4) You Don’t Want an Impulsive Coverup

One alternative to laser tattoo removal is a coverup. However, there are many artists who won’t do coverups because they’re more difficult and require specialized skills. Just because someone is a good tattoo artist, doesn’t make them a good coverup artist.

This means you don’t want to do an impulsive coverup. Between picking a design that is more meaningful to you and finding an artist who will actually do a good job, it may be best to start with a clean slate.

You can always remove a tattoo and get a new one in the same place later on down the line when you’ve researched artists and found a design that resonates with you.

5) It Doesn’t Match Your Other Tattoos

Do you have a tattoo that you got early on in your ink journey that simply doesn’t reflect your style now? Maybe it’s in color, while the rest of your ink is in black and white. Or perhaps it’s geometric, while your other pieces are hyperrealistic.

People who have many tattoos often have plans about placements, which artists will do them, and what style they want them in. It is perfectly reasonable to want all of your pieces to be cohesive.

6) A Change in Beliefs

Everyone has the ability to grow and change. Tattoos are popular among people from certain hateful ideologies. Many of those people are either young or are conditioned to have these beliefs by members of their communities. 

No matter the reason, you should feel free to have your own beliefs. If you have a hateful tattoo that is symbolic of a movement you aren’t a part of anymore, you should be able to remove it as well as the shame you may feel from having it.

7) The Symbolism Isn’t Relevant Anymore

Many people get tattoos of things that have a lot of significance to them. But as people get older, there are certain things you may grow out of. This may cause you to have less of a connection with your tattoo.

It’s okay if you don’t have the same favorite band or tv show you once did. You don’t have to keep a constant reminder of a phase you had on your skin forever.

8) People Make Fun of You

Tattoos are some of the first things people notice about others. With good tattoos, it’s an amazing icebreaker – but with bad tattoos, it can mean a lot of embarrassment in social situations.

These comments may have started out with a joke, but constant poking fun at something that’s stuck on your body can wear you down and affect your self-esteem in the long run. If more than just your tattoo is getting under your skin, it may be time for your laser tattoo removal appointment.

What Is the Aftercare Like?

Aftercare is an important part of getting a tattoo – therefore, it makes sense that it’s integral in removing them, too. 

As the laser we use for removal is a very high heat, you may develop burn marks, swelling, or bruising. This is a normal reaction and should not cause concern.

Crusting, blistering, or scabbing often develop within 12 to 72 hours, much like when you got the tattoo. This may persist for up to two weeks.

It is important to keep the area clean and dry during the healing process. You should gently wash the area with soap and water and pat dry. In the first 48 hours, you should not apply any cream, makeup, or medication unless our office recommends it.

You may, however, use a cold compress to reduce any swelling and inflammation within 24 hours of your procedure. Tylenol is fine to take for pain management. However, steer clear of Aspirin and other blood thinning medication, as they can lead to increased bleeding or bruising.

Take care not to pick at scabs or scrape the affected skin, including any shaving. This leads to a higher risk of infection. 

If you experience any oozing in your skin, any honey-colored crusting, or redness spreading throughout the wound, you may have an infection. Contact the office immediately for any of these complications. For severe reactions like allergic reactions, call 911 and go to emergency care immediately.

Book Your Appointment Today!

You don’t have to feel trapped with bad or ugly tattoos. If any of these 8 reasons resonate with you, it’s time for you to consider laser tattoo removal. 

Reach out to our Med Spa for more information about our procedures and policies today.