This is the first of a two-part series detailing a laser tattoo removal process in KL. In this first part, we will discuss FAQs surrrounding the process.
“Don’t you know that tattoos are permanent?”
“Not anymore.”
Welcome to the 21st century, where everything is transient, from moods to fashion, and even tattoos—once widely regarded as the most permanent thing you could ever have done to your body. With the advent of medical technology, it is now possible to remove permanent tattoos—although it is a long haul affair that requires you to put your absolute trust in the process.
When researching tattoo removal processes, results were surprisingly sparse on the internet. Some even tout that the process only requires a handful of sessions, with no real information on how long each session takes. Armed with a desire to experience the full truth of a laser tattoo removal process with my only tattoo—two lines around my wrist—I went on a search for a reputable aesthetic clinic that would take this on, and M∙A∙C∙ Clinic in Bangsar Shopping Centre answered. Founder and medical director Dr Hew Yin Keat graciously took on the daunting task of sating my curiosities and going through this year-long experiment with me, which I will break down into a two-part series articulating the basics of the laser tattoo removal process as explained by Dr Hew, followed by my personal experience of the matter.
Need to Know: Laser Tattoo Removal 101
What is the science behind using laser as a tattoo removal option?
The ink particles from a tattoo are larger than what are cells can gobble up, hence why it stays in the skin and is “permanent”. However, over time the ink will spread out, making older tattoos look faded because some particles may have been removed.
“Instead of cutting out the tattoo or camouflaging it, the laser will try to break down the ink particles into smaller particles,” explained Dr Hew. When the particles are small enough, your body will be able to remove it. The laser targets the colour of the tattoo in comparison to your regular skin colour; it works just like light, in the sense that darker objects absorb more light than lighter objects. “Doctors have figured out the best kind of wavelength for each colour of the tattoo. For example, we use a wavelength of 1,064 nanometres for black,” he continued. That is the infrared region which is readily absorbed by tattoo ink more than your regular skin—a process called selective photothermolysis—that won’t damage your regular skin.
In your first session, the laser will be absorbed by the ink particles and cause little “explosions” under the skin because there are just so many particles—and that’s the cause of extreme swelling after.
What sort of swelling are we expecting?
“Just in the area that has been treated,” said Dr Hew. He explained that it happens because heat gets trapped in the skin, and likens it to getting laser treatment done to remove pigmentation on the face. There will be initial redness and swelling, but the heat will dissipate over time and the swelling will go away, returning the skin to normal.
How long does it take for the tattoo to completely disappear?
The removal process will take time—it is a marathon, not a sprint. Dr Hew explained that you would need to wait approximately six weeks in between each session, because that is the optimal amount of time for the ink particles to break down.
“For fresher tattoos, it will take about three to five sessions. If it’s a light tattoo, you may be lucky and it will only take two sessions. The more challenging ones, where the ink is more dense, might take five to ten sessions.”
It may take up to a year or maybe two to completely remove the tattoo.
Real life is not Prison Break, where people can remove tattoos within the day. “That doesn’t happen and it’s not possible,” Dr Hew laughed. In the first few sessions, he said, the tattoo fades the fastest because the ink is at its darkest and easily absorbs the laser light. “But as it becomes more faded, we will need to turn the settings higher to break up the remaining ink particles which are lighter, and that may be more challenging. That leads us to…
Coloured tattoos are more difficult to remove.
Differently-coloured tattoos may require different wavelengths of light, because they have to be absorbed selectively to achieve the best removal results. “The most challenging colours are yellow, green, and blue,” he stated. “The easiest ones are black and red.”
While M∙A∙C∙ Clinic has lasers that target those difficult colours, other clinics with more commonly-available laser equipment can only target black and red tattoo ink.
What pre- and post-laser treatments should the patient do?
“The lighter your skin is compared to the colour of your tattoo, the less injury you’ll have,” Dr Hew explained. Hence, don’t go tanning before a tattoo removal session, as you’ll want to ensure your skin is in a stable condition.
After a session, there may be a lot of heat trapped in the skin, causing blistering. Dr Hew likens this to a very severe sunburn. Cool it down as quickly as you can, so the heat can escape. “Use ice packs, not ice cubes,” he cautioned. “I always tell patients not to wet the area in the first two days.”
If or when it blisters, never pop it. “Or if it pops by itself, let it be; it will heal better,” he said.
Stay tuned for part two, where I will detail my personal experience and how long it took to remove my tattoo. Book your consultation at M∙A∙C∙ Clinic here.
Address: S117A, 2nd Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, 285, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
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