Should You Get Your Tattoo Removed before Your Wedding?
As you prepare for your big day, you want everything to be perfect. From the music to the centerpieces, you’ve got every last detail covered. But if you have a not-so-perfect tattoo that can’t be hidden by your lovely dress, you may be considering having it removed before your wedding. Here are a few things to keep in mind to help you make your decision so that your special day can be just as magical and beautiful as you’d always hoped it would be.
How Does Tattoo Removal Work?
If you’re thinking about having a tattoo removed, it can be helpful to first understand the process and how the technology works. Laser tattoo removal works by directing short pulses of laser light to the desired area, which then target the pigments of the tattoo ink. The energy from the laser breaks down that pigment into tiny particles, which are naturally flushed from your body
(Seminars in Plastic Surgery).
The gold standard laser used in tattoo removal is called the Q-switched, meaning quality-switched, laser. The Q-switched laser employs high-powered bursts of laser energy to target and fade tattoo ink. Each tattoo removal session typically lasts between 10 and 20 minutes, and multiple treatments will likely be necessary in order to achieve optimum results.
What Is the Timeline for Tattoo Removal?
Laser tattoo removal needs to be done in various stages to be most effective. Plan ahead and start your sessions so that you will be able to fully enjoy your results in time for your wedding or other special occasion. Typically, laser tattoo removal takes about twelve sessions to get rid of the ink in its entirety, although this can depend on the specific treatment option that you choose.
At Acqua Blu Medical Spa in Pittsburgh and Wexford, we offer two different treatment plans: single pass removal and the R20 method. Single pass removal is the standard process for laser tattoo removal, and it consists of performing only one pass of the laser per office visit. For the R20 method, up to four passes may be used to treat the tattoo during a single visit. These passes are completed with a twenty-minute rest period between them. The R20 method of completing four tattoo removal treatments during one office visit allows the laser to reach greater depths than with one single pass of the Q-switched laser.
What Kinds of Results Can You Expect?
While laser tattoo removal can offer very effective results, keep in mind that a number of variables can affect both the timeline and the results that you can expect. Ink type, technique, coloring, lifestyle habits, and whether or not your tattoo was performed by a professional or an amateur can all play a role (Wall Street Journal).
That said, by seeking a specially-trained professional using state-of-the-art laser technology, you should be able to expect smooth, beautiful results. During your initial consultation, be sure to let your laser technician know if there is a specific date by which you would like to have your tattoo fully removed so that he or she can design the best treatment plan to fit your needs.
Taking the Next Step
Once you’ve decided to part ways with your unwanted tattoo, the next step is to find the right medical spa to get started on your first treatment session. Although the process is relatively quick and easy, it’s still very important that you work with only a skilled and experienced professional.
The Acqua Blu Medical Spa providers who perform these treatments are extensively educated, hand-selected, and specially-trained using state-of-the-art lasers, the latest treatment techniques, and the most effective methods available to deliver amazing results.
If you’d like more information about your laser tattoo removal options, or to schedule a consultation with a member of our skilled and experienced team, please contact us at (724) 933-1800, and let us help you get the beautiful results you want just in time for your big day.
