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Laser Tattoo Removal in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – What to Know Before Treatment

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What is laser tattoo removal?

Tattoos are permanent form of ink application on the skin. 25% of the people who get tattoos regret it some point in  their lives and wish to get it removed. At Nexus Clinic, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia laser tattoo removal is a method where permanent tattoos are removed by a laser. Lasers remove the tattoo pigment from the skin making it appear not inked as before.

FAQ & Questions.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions by you, answered by our doctors.

The lasers act on the tattoo by breaking down the ink pigments below the skin with a high intensity light beam. Black tattoos are easier to treat as compared to colored tattoos. This is because black absorbs all laser wavelengths, whereas colored tattoos can only be treated by selected lasers according to the pigment color.

The number of sessions depends on the age of the tattoo, size and also color of the tattoo. Your own skin color and the depth of the tattoo pigment also affects the number of sessions. The broken down ink is then absorbed into the blood supply and then excreted from the body. Certain colors like yellow and inks containing high concentrations of titanium dioxide are extremely hard to remove from the system as they are reflective and are outside the spectrum of the laser.

Topical anesthesia is applied prior to the process to minimize pain and discomfort. The results may be seen immediately but there will be continuous fading over 7 to 8 weeks. A healing period of 8 weeks is required between treatment.

For a complete removal of a tattoo, numerous sessions are required, spaced 7 to 8 weeks apart. Shorter treatment-free intervals can lead to scarring and other adverse effects. During each session the laser breaks down the tattoo pigments and only the smallest pigment particles are removed by the blood stream. The rest of the larger pigment particles need to be broken down in following sessions. This results in lightening of the tattoo. Tattoos at the extremities like the ankle generally take a longer time to resolve. The time required between treatment also depends on the individual immune system, a stronger immune system removes pigment particles as compared to a weaker immune system. Factors taken into consideration to calculate the number of sessions required :

  • Skin type
  • Location of the tattoo on the body
  • Colour of the tattoo
  • Amount of ink used
  • Scarring or tissue changes
  • Layering of the tattoo

A laser tattoo removal is a permanent solution. The percentage of tattoo removal varies between individuals. In some cases a complete removal is possible. In some complicated cases, only lightening of the tattoo is possible. It all depends on the factors like :

  • Size of the tattoo
  • Area where the tattoo is located
  • Colour pigments used in the tattoo
  • Age of the tattoo
  • Layering of the tattoos

Laser tattoo removals are generally safer than other methods such as excision, dermabrasion or salabrasion. There are a few side effects following laser tattoo removal though rare may occur in certain cases :

  • There is a risk for infection at the site of tattoo removal.
  • There may be permanent scarring, more commonly seen in areas with thin skin.
  • In some cases a tattoo is not completely removed. There will be remnants of the tattoo on the skin.
  • There may be cases of hypopigmentation where the skin is lighter compared to the normal skin surrounding the tattoo.
  • There are also cases of hyperpigmentation where the area affected by the laser is darker than the normal surrounding skin.
  • Cosmetic tattoos like lip liners, eyebrows or eyeliners at times get darker following laser treatment, then fade following subsequent sessions.

 

love after

love before

 

*Results May Vary

knife after

knife before

 

*Results May Vary

*The above pictures are for illustration purposes only. Your results may vary.