Side effects of removing tattoos with a laser & bull; hello healthy

Do you have multiple tattoos and want to remove one of them? When you have a tattoo, the white blood cells try to remove the tattoo pigment from the skin. This is the reason why the first time you get a tattoo, the pattern becomes less vivid and faded, but not permanently faded. White blood cells are unable to erase it permanently because the particles from the tattoo ink itself are much larger for the white blood cells to remove. The solution, you can use a laser as a method of removing tattoos. However, are there any risks in laser tattoo removal?

Each tattoo has a unique pattern, so the technique for removing it must also be adapted to each individual case. Before removing it, make sure you know that the scar may become unsightly later, depending on the method used. Tattoos that have not been removed effectively with other remedies or home remedies can usually respond well to laser therapy which offers treatment without producing excessive scarring.

What are the side effects of removing tattoos with lasers?

Removing tattoos with laser techniques does not cause too many side effects, as long as it is done by an expert. However, here are some factors that can be taken into consideration, such as:

• The tattoo spot that is removed can put you at risk for infection. You may also be at risk of complete pigment removal. Permanent scarring is also very likely.
• You may also be at risk for hypopigmentation (where the skin is lighter than the surrounding skin) or hyperpigmentation (where the skin is darker than its surroundings).
• Not only tattoos with large patterns, but also cosmetic tattoos; tattoo on lip line, eyeliner and eyebrow tattoos can darken after laser tattoo removal techniques.

The link between tattoos, lasers and skin health

Ink in tattoos can cause skin reactions and infections. Not to mention if the process of making tattoos is not sterile, blood-borne diseases can also arise, such as tetanus, hepatitis B and C. Researchers from New York University asked 300 people in Central Park about their experiences of having tattoos, 4 in 10% reported side effects, there are also complaints that disappear less than four months. However, the remaining 6% need treatment, such as experiencing itchy, scaly skin, swelling around the tattoo pattern for more than four months. Researchers suspect that allergic reactions occur due to the tattoo dye itself, especially the red one.

There is news about health problems due to toxic substances in tattoos. Research has shown that benzo (a) pyrene, a chemical used in black ink, can cause skin cancer in animal tests. Benzo (a) pyrene, found in coal asphalt, is a carcinogen according to International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Make sure before tattooing, the ingredients are clear. This is because there is a survey result that states that millions of people in Europe are tattooed without knowing the chemical substances they use.

In addition, a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology in 2011, first revealed the presence of nanoparticles in tattoo ink. Scientists from Bradford University have shown that nanoparticles can travel to the skin, enter the blood and form in the spleen and kidneys. This can be toxic in the body.

The chemicals from tattoos can also be found in the lymph nodes, even when tattooing medically or without laser therapy. However, according to Kathleen J. Smith, MD, Dermatologic Decatur Surgery, quoted by the Real Self website, there is no good evidence to suggest that tattoos and methods of removing them can cause cancer. The same opinion was also expressed by Ariel Ostad, MD, a dermatologist in New York, who was quoted by the Skin Cancer website, he had never found ink in tattoos to increase the recurrence of cancer after recovery in skin cancer patients. However, it is true that the metals contained in tattoo ink can cause allergies.

Is the laser method safe to use?

Currently, technology has become increasingly sophisticated, so that laser therapy can be used more effectively and has less risk of causing scarring. In fact, lasers are safer to use than excision, dermabrasion, or salabrasion (using a damp gauze with a saline solution to scrape the tattooed area). In some cases, certain colors are safer to use than others. The colors blue and black, for example, both respond well to laser methods.

What is presented here is general information on both sides, you will still need to visit your doctor for appropriate advice. As explained above, each case or tattoo pattern is different in handling. So, it's a good idea to find a doctor who is also experienced in using laser tattoos.