How Painful Is Tattoo Removal?

You don't like that blazing skull tattoo with your ex's name on it anymore, and you're not sure whether you can handle the pain of tattoo removal. While laser tattoo removal can be painful, it is unlikely to be as painful as having the tattoo.

The laser pulses feel like a rubber band snapping across your skin, and the tattoo removal discomfort is equivalent to a horrible sunburn. Yes, it's revolting, but it's bearable.

How can a tattoo get removed?

Laser tattoo removal works by penetrating the epidermis, or top layer of skin, with high-intensity laser pulses that break down the pigment into tiny particles. These tiny particles are subsequently absorbed and digested by your body.

While laser tattoo removal is often effective, it isn't a quick remedy.

Multiple treatments are required to achieve the desired results. The number of tattoos you get is determined on the size of your tattoo and the colors you choose (lighter colors are harder to removeTrusted Source than dark ones). Then there's the recovery period in between treatments, which is normally a few weeks.

You don't have to use laser to get rid of a tattoo. There's also dermabrasion, which removes the top layer of skin by sanding it away. (Isn't that painful?)

Another alternative is surgery, which is clearly more intrusive because it entails removing the tattooed skin and sewing the remaining skin back together.

Your level of pain is determined by a number of factors.

For a variety of factors, including your unique pain threshold, no two people's pain experiences are identical.

The competence and experience of the person doing the removal can also influence how painful it is, which is why it is best to have it done by a professional dermatologist.

To minimize or avoid discomfort, a qualified dermatologist can tailor the therapy to your comfort level and use a numbing lotion or inject a local anesthetic.

Stress and other negative emotions, according to research, might heighten pain perception. On the other hand, the more optimistic you feel, the less pain you perceive.

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Some parts of the body are more vulnerable than others.

You know how some places of the body hurt more than others when it comes to tattooing? The same is true when it comes to tattoo removal.

Dr. Stacy Chimento of Riverchase Dermatology, a board-certified Miami dermatologist, explained why.

"Because touch receptors are scattered unevenly throughout the body, certain parts of the body are more sensitive than others. The types of touch receptors in different areas of the body also differ. According to Chimento, some receptors are more sensitive to pressure, while others respond to low- or high-frequency vibrations. "Some of the spots where laser tattoo removal may be more painful include your fingertips, ribcage area, forehead, ankles, wrists, and around your armpit."