The Progress from my 7th treatment

Tomorrow, I will be having my laser tattoo removal for my 8th treatment. This picture that I will be posting next, pretty sums up the results as of today.

My estimation will be another 2-3 more treatments to fully clear this tattoo. Oh yes, I remember that the doctor was saying that there might be a new machine that he will be using. Hopefully this machine that he will be using can clear everything in one procedure! :)

Tattoo Removal in 5 simple steps

Now that I have been going for my tattoo removal for the last 9 months with 7 treatments in between, I have more or less gain enough knowledge to educate those whom wish to get it done.

1. Do your own research. Most clinics here in SG has complex laser machines when it comes to operating a laser, (actually there are really no such thing as good machine). This includes all laser applications – tattoo removal, laser hair removal, laser rejuvenation, laser pigment removal, any laser treatment.
2. Don’t assume your doctors are trained and specialized in this field, don’t feel embarrassed to ask the question that could save you from severe scarring – “Do you have training? How many times have you done this?”.  It is not necessary for your clinician to be a doctor or a nurse but they should be trained in laser safety and experienced with the particular laser that they are operating.
3. Price is always an important part of a tattoo removal decision as it is costly and takes a big commitment, but you want to know that the clinic you choose will assess your skin for suitability.
4. Stretch your appointments out, you should only be treated once every 4-6 weeks at a minimum, treatments spaced any closer are a watse of money (and only financially benefit the clinic you are attending). It puts your skin at risk of trauma and can render your tattoo un-treatable. For myself I have concluded 7 treatments in 8 months, so its still an acceptable range.
5. Listen to your doctor, tattoo removal after care is quite simple and you should follow the instructions given to you and apply the same after every tattoo removal appointment.  After care is not difficult and if you followed will ensure you do not suffer any unnecessary trauma.

Finally it’s all about the research, read the difference between older lasers such as Q-switched and then compare the technology and results of a different ones and you will come to the conclusion that if you want the fastest, safest possible tattoo removal there are quite a few types of them.

7th Treatment Cost Of My Laser Tattoo Removal

Remember my last post that I said by booking on "Medicloud" you could get a small discount? Unfortunately, the counter lady failed to input the record and I told her that put it on the books so you can offset from my next visit.

The cost involved so far as of today:
1st treatment: $382
2nd treatment: $212
3rd treatment: $212
4th treatment: $212
5th treatment: $216
6th treatment: $244
7th treatment: $216
Total spent on my laser treatments so far: $1694

Doctor mentioned that he may be using a new machine to expedite my process in my next treatment. Hopefully I do not have to go through over 10 x treatments to fully remove my Baphomet tattoo. :(

7th Treatment Of My Laser Tattoo Removal

My appointment is 10am, as usual I arrived early to apply the numb cream about an hour earlier. Today marks my 7th dose of treatment. Nothing special as compared to my previous. I did try to clocked the timing while waiting for the 'piak piak piak' sound of the laser goes by. I think this time round, my time passes way faster. Here's the timing clocked or rather, how fast it started and ended.

If I compared the timing to my last few sessions, even though with numb cream, I did felt the laser penetration through my skin, My best sensation was the first few treatments when I did not apply any. Oh, on a side note. I made my appointment through "Medicloud" and there is supposed to be a small discount for the booking through the apps.

Immediately after the laser treatment, I took a photo and wahla! Lets look forward to my 8th soon...

Upon reaching home, I took another photo...

This is how I would describe it, reddish, bruised, battered. See you in my next post soon.

Laser Tattoo Removal Techniques And Questions

If you are bored with your Tattoos or want to have a new Tattoo on your body.Then here are the solutions.Technology has been develop various techniques which can remove the permanent Tattoos easily.One of the most popular method is Laser Removal.

These Laser Tattoo Removal Techniques are easy and with very minimal side effects.Black inked tattoos can be removed easily by breaking down the pigment colors using a high intensity laser beam.Other colors can be removed by using other lasers according to the pigment colors.

How To Remove Tattoos?

This is not a big question at this time of modern technology.Laser Tattoo removal has become a new business.Tattoos were considered permanent earlier,but now tattoo removal is possible.Laser Tattoo removal process are carried out by Tattoo artists as well as Doctors.This process requires careful handling of Laser machine at the tattooed body part and in right manners.

Earlier laser removal methods were not advance,because they were not able to vanish the Tattoo clearly.But now you can easily get remove tattoo from your body.

How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

Lasers are the most commonly used for tattoo removal.Laser works by produce short pulses of intense light which pass harmlessly by top layer of the skin and then this is absorbed by tattoo pigment.Lasers directly injecting into the skin in just trillionths of a second.Laser helps the tattoo pigment to fragment into very small particles which later removed by the immune system of the body.Tattoo pigments have its light absorption spectra.Tattoo pigments like yellow,green and fluorescent ink are more challenging to remove than darker black and blue.Laser Tattoo Removal is very safe,simple process and it gives positive results.This process take few treatment sessions to remove the tattoo successfully.Laser procedure cause a stinging sensation,which can be ease with the help of a local anesthetic cream.This can cause lightening or darkening of the affected skin,but it return to the normal skin after some time.

What Is The Best Laser For Tattoo Removal?

There are  variety of lasers which are using for tattoo removal.

1.Passive Laser Tattoo Removal:

These Passive Laser Tattoo Removal treatments are cheaper.It can be purchased by Tattoo parlors and beauty salons. Tattoo is not removed completely by using this technique.This is the disadvantage of this technique.It will only partially fade your Tattoo.Most of you are cheated by clinics and beauty salons because you were not aware about this fact.

Laser Tattoo Removal - Passive Laser

These Tattoo parlors and beauty salons may take advantage of the fact,as you do not know the difference between passive or active laser.They can charge you the same price but the result of passive laser technique will not satisfy you.As it will not completely remove your tattoos.

2.Active Laser Tattoo Removal:

Laser Tattoo Removal - Active Laser

Active Laser Tattoo Removal is the best technique to remove the Tattoos permanently.This Q-switched Tattoo removal machine is able to break down the pigment into small particles,which is easily removed by the body’s immune system.It is one of the best method of Tattoo removal.It helps to remove your permanent tattoo completely.This Active Laser Tattoo Removal technique not able to remove the colors like yellow or light blue.Otherwise this removes all dark colors tattoos.It has minimal side effects.Active Laser Tattoo Removal is the expensive tattoo removal technique.But it gives positive results.

3.Q-switched ruby laser removal:

Laser Tattoo Removal - Q-Switched Ruby Laser

Q-switched laser is known as the best laser for tattoo removal.Q-Switched ruby laser is the first treatment which is developed for Tattoo removal.This Q-switches laser’s wavelength is more effective for the colors which are very difficult to remove.It is measured in nano seconds.This technique is able to remove the black and blue pigments successfully.This technique is not able to remove the red,yellow and green pigments.

4.Q-Switched Nd-YAG Laser:

Laser Tattoo Removal - Q-Switched ND-YAD Laser
Q-Switches ND-YAG(neodymium-doped Yttrium aluminium garnet) Laser can be visible to the human eye.Q-Switched ND-YAG Laser is the best laser which helps to remove grey,black and dark blue inks.It also helps to remove the red,yellow,& orange colors.This laser contains potassium titanyl phosphate crystal.With the help of these crystal it double the frequency of laser light.It has a wave length of 1064 nm and capability to reach deeper layers of skin tissues,which other lasers can not done.

5.Q-Switched Alexandrite Laser:

Laser Tattoo Removal - Q- Switched alexandrite laser

Q-Switched Alexandrite is the best laser to remove tattoo effectively.This laser easily can remove the blue and black pigments,but also green pigments.Green color often left behind with any other laser except Alexandrite Laser.This Q-Switched Alexandrite Laser is most popular laser because it has ability to remove green pigments.This is the safe and effective laser tattoo removal technique which can remove every color pigments.This is the expensive treatment.

Does Laser Tattoo Removal gives Pain?

This is another question that will come to your mind does laser tattoo removal gives pain? Yes, laser Tattoo Removal hurts. This is because of the impact of energy from the laser pulse.This feels that someone continuously hitting your skin with a rubber band.For reducing the pain of laser Doctors might applying a Anesthetic cream 2 hours before the procedure begins.This cream wiped off before laser surgery starts.Some patients refers a local Anesthetic injected into the tattoo before surgery.Removing the tattoo is more painful than getting a tattoo.
Numbing Cream is used for Tattoo Removal.Numbing cream is applied on the tattooed skin before the tattoo removal surgery begins.This helps to reduce the pain of laser.

Cost Of Laser Tattoo Removal?

The laser is most effective way to remove the Tattoo from body.The cost of laser tattoo removal is based on the size,color of tattoo,session of treatment etc.Cost starts from $100/ session to remove a small tattoo.Color also matter here if tattoo is in black then it is very easy to remove.If tattoo contains more colors then it will take more session treatment which can be more expensive in comparison to remove the black color tattoo.Tattoos with multiple colors are time taking treatments which cannot removed by one or two session it requires 6-8 weeks.
Prices of tattoos are not costly but removal of tattoo cost is very high.

Laser Tattoo Removal Reviews:

Most of us share their experience of laser removal tattoos with friends,neighbors,colleagues,etc.The result of tattoo removal is positive.Only very few of us face problem after tattoo removal.This is because you are not following the instructions which are suggested by surgeons.Very less % of tattoo removal patients has complaints regarding laser removal method.

Some people face the problem of Blisters.Swelling of skin after laser surgery is known as Blisters.This is because you are not taking the proper aftercare.It can be easily resolve if proper care is taken by you.You have to prevent your surgery skin from the direct sunlight,cosmetics and other things which can effect your skin.Drinking more water will help to heal fast.

Aftercare For Laser Tattoo Removal:

Aftercare is very essential to prevent from infection,side effect,skin texture change etc.

1: You have to take proper care of treated area.Apply antibiotic ointment 3 times in a day.
2: You should covered the treated area with dressing for 2-3 days.
3: Protect the area from direct sunlight.Wear a sun block which can helpful.
4: Using of cosmetic should be avoid,because it can cause side effect.
5: Use of hot baths should be avoid.

So don't worry if you get a wrong tattoo or want to remove unwanted tattoo. Laser is the easiest method for tattoo removal.

Laser Tattoo Removal Video Using YAG Technology

Recently I chanced upon an interesting recent video that uses this yag technology to remove tattoos. Video shows tattoo being slowly erased in surgery by red lasers. It works in same way as a traditional eraser, clearing the skin and the pigment is broken down that eventually allows body to remove quicker. The laser works jut like an eraser, leaving a faint marking, which after more sessions will fade to next to nothing.

The patient, who was in his 40s, keeps his leg still, ensuring the laser can do its job properly. The laser powers up as the aesthetician gets prepared to use it to remove the tattoo. As the red light flickers, the laser gets to work on the outline of the tattoo.

Laser works by produce short pulses of intense light which pass harmlessly by the top layer of the skin and then is absorbed by tattoo pigment. The pigment will then break up, allowing it to be removed easier by the body's immune system.

The yag laser has the 'capability to reach deeper layers of skin tissues, which other lasers can not done', and is 'the best laser to remove grey, black and dark blue inks'. For some reasons, the video cant seems to be attached here. I will provide the direct link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXCW7SZs9zU

Laser Tattoo - The Healing Begins

Unlike my very first treatment, there were blisters forming up from the wound. After the 2nd treatment onwards, the blisters were nowhere to be seen. As per the last few sessions, the symptoms are very much the same. With constant itch as the wound starts to heal.

Above picture shows that the tattoo ink has greatly diminished as compared to the first. The blood seems to be oozing from the darker lines or rather the ink starts to break up and repel itself from the skin. How exactly does the laser break up the tattoo ink?

This is what I found according to my previous research,

Precise wavelengths of light generated by the tattoo removal laser are designed to be absorbed by the ink in your tattoo. Like absorption of any other kind of energy, this absorption will lead to a transfer of energy, leading to the ink in your tattoo heating up. This heating happens in a fraction of a second and causes the ink to shatter into tiny pieces. Before, the ink particles were too large for your body to remove. Now, though, they are fragments that are able to be flushed away by your body’s immune system.

6th Treatment Cost Of My Laser Tattoo Removal

After doing the treatment for several times, I am sort of having like a "pro" feeling now! What do I mean by that? You see, I don't really post much on this blog except for the regular process, the costings, the outcome, and some base information on laser tattoo removal etc. All this info that I have posted has become an ongoing process and its more or less similar.

The cost involved so far as of today:
1st treatment: $382
2nd treatment: $212
3rd treatment: $212
4th treatment: $212
5th treatment: $216
6th treatment: $244
Total spent on my laser treatments so far: $1478

Now assuming if I need a total of 12 treatments, $1478 will be doubled. So an estimate of $2800-$2900 plus time will be needed to remove your tattoo effectively! You may ask why $244 this time round? I got the following medication:
Numb cream
Bilaxten 20Mg (For more info, you can refer to my old post here)
And a new ointment called Muprin. Which I believe it has the same purpose for Foban Ointment.

6th Treatment Of My Laser Tattoo Removal

Yesterday was another session for my tattoo removal. I applied the numb cream at 9am. While going for my breakfast and waiting for the numbness to sets in at the same time. One thing I would like to share is that the numb cream really makes the whole laser process much more bearable.

I started the treatment around 10:45am, which means I took an hour and 45mins for the numb cream to take effect. Here's an immediate picture of the results after the procedure.

As you know during the procedure there will always be an assistant holding a cold air blower to make the process more bearable for us. Just to side track a bit from my usual laser tattoo post. I overheard the doctor saying to his assistant about going to Boy's Home or something. So I ask the doctor whats that all about?

Well, the doctor explained that he is also doing laser tattoo treatments for the boys at Boys Home. He came to know of this Boys Home assistant director and should the boys need to go for tattoo removal, they will need to be handcuffed and the boys will escorted by the guards on his left and right. That's where this doctor whom is doing this procedure for me proposed that he is willing to go to Boys home to do the treatment for the boys without accepting any charges! This doctor sure embrace his profession with respect. Salute!

Upon reaching home in the evening I took yet another photo of what it looks like:

I will continue to post regular updates soon. Feel free to bookmark this site and follow my updates.

My Progress and Results

Today marks the 7th month and 25th day of my tattoo removal since my first treatment back on 22nd December 2015. As time goes by, the progress and results are obvious. Tomorrow I will be heading for my number 6 treatment and the same old routine will follows.

Picture taken as of today

How Effective Is It? You may be asking? I strongly believe that my tattoo will be 100% removed without any trace of scarring by looking at the results today. So far, This is acceptable to me, considered that doctor says it may take 8-12 treatments to fully remove the tattoo.

Note that this is the final picture after the 5th treatment.