Can I get a tan?
Bright sunlight is the enemy of your tattoo, whether it is newly healing or years old. Stay out of the sun while your new tattoo heals and makes sure that you use plenty of high factor sun block thereafter.
Sometimes my tattoo feels weird, what's going on?
Many people will tell you that their tattoo gets itchy when the weather's really warm. This is due to the heat and humidity making the tattoo swell. Cool, clean water is a quick and cheap solution to the mild discomfort this causes changes in your body like raised blood pressure or an adrenaline rush might also cause the same reaction.
More seriously, an allergic reaction to the pigments in the ink might cause discomfort and even pain. This won't necessarily be an immediate reaction; it can take some time for your skin to react to the ink. If this is very uncomfortable and particularly if it lasts over a long period, it may be necessary to have the tattoo removed. It's more likely that a topical cream will treat the problem with no lasting effects.
You might find that you develop an unrelated skin condition after you've had the tattoo and that it causes more discomfort in the tattooed area. Make sure that your doctor knows about the tattoo when s/he treats the condition itself.
If you have to have an MRI, be aware that some people have complained that it causes discomfort around their tattoo. An MRI -- Magnetic Resonance Imaging -- uses a very strong magnetic field that can cause a reaction with the metal salts in the tattoo ink. This is particularly true of black ink which largely consists of iron. The MRI causes the area to heat up and is usually treated with a cold compress. There doesn't appear to be any degradation in the image that the MRI produces and the discomfort is mild.
More seriously, an allergic reaction to the pigments in the ink might cause discomfort and even pain. This won't necessarily be an immediate reaction; it can take some time for your skin to react to the ink. If this is very uncomfortable and particularly if it lasts over a long period, it may be necessary to have the tattoo removed. It's more likely that a topical cream will treat the problem with no lasting effects.
You might find that you develop an unrelated skin condition after you've had the tattoo and that it causes more discomfort in the tattooed area. Make sure that your doctor knows about the tattoo when s/he treats the condition itself.
If you have to have an MRI, be aware that some people have complained that it causes discomfort around their tattoo. An MRI -- Magnetic Resonance Imaging -- uses a very strong magnetic field that can cause a reaction with the metal salts in the tattoo ink. This is particularly true of black ink which largely consists of iron. The MRI causes the area to heat up and is usually treated with a cold compress. There doesn't appear to be any degradation in the image that the MRI produces and the discomfort is mild.
Will pregnancy affect my stomach tattoo?
Possibly, depending on exactly where your tattoo is. How much stretching and distortion there could depend on how large your bump gets. Keeping the tattoo and surrounding area well moisturised will help. Use a lotion that contains vitamin E as it's particularly good for the skin.
Is the Laser tattoo removal painful?
The laser emits light in very short flashes of light called pulses. The impact of the energy from the powerful pulse of light is similar to the snap of a thin rubber band or specks of hot bacon grease on the skin.
How Many Treatment Sessions will it take to remove the Tattoo?
On the average, professional tattoos require at least 6 -10 treatments, while amateur tattoos require 3-4 treatments, all spaced approximately on 6 - 8 weeks apart. The number of treatments depends on the amount and type of ink used and the depth of the ink in the skin.
Will a lower back tattoo stop me having an epidural?
There doesn't appear to be any medical reason why it should. The needle used to administer the epidural will puncture tattooed skin just the same as it punctures the untouched skin.
How can I stop my tattoo from fading?
Some fading is inevitable as you and your tattoo age but you can do a lot to keep the fading to a minimum.
First of all: stay out of the sun. Bright sunlight fades all colours and your tattoo is no exception. Always cover the area with a high factor sun block whenever you go out in the sun. Even if you have a shirt on over the tattoo, you should still protect the area.
Keep your tattoo clean and well moisturised. As above, a lotion that contains vitamin E is best as your body needs vitamin E to maintain healthy skin. Moisturise the area everyday and always after you've bathed/showered.
First of all: stay out of the sun. Bright sunlight fades all colours and your tattoo is no exception. Always cover the area with a high factor sun block whenever you go out in the sun. Even if you have a shirt on over the tattoo, you should still protect the area.
Keep your tattoo clean and well moisturised. As above, a lotion that contains vitamin E is best as your body needs vitamin E to maintain healthy skin. Moisturise the area everyday and always after you've bathed/showered.
Do all colours of ink respond well to Tattoo Removal?
No, dark (blue/black) inks and red inks fade the best. Oranges and purples usually respond well. Green and yellow inks are the most difficult to remove, although additional treatments can produce significant fading.
Will the Tattoo completely disappear?
Greater than 95% fading of the tattoo may be accomplished. However, it is very important to know that over 100 tattoo inks are in use worldwide today, none of which are regulated by the FDA. Not knowing which tattoo ink, how deep or how much was used, makes it impossible for the physician to predict the degree of removal on any given tattoo
What type of post-treatment care is necessary?
Usually, there will be pinpoint bleeding associated with the treatment. An antibacterial ointment and a dressing will be applied to the area. The treated area should be kept clean.
Why doesn’t the laser remove my normal skin pigmentation?
The laser light was designed for its properties that selectively target dark concentrations of melanin. If after the abnormal concentration of melanin was removed, and treatment continued on normal skin, some whitening could occur. However, your body's natural regenerative system would replace the normal melanin after a period of time returning the melanin to its natural state.
Is the process painful?
The laser emits light in very short flashes called pulses. The impact of the energy from the powerful pulse of light is similar to the snap of a thin rubber band. After the treatment, the area will feel similar to slight sunburn. Typically, within a day or so, any discomfort disappears. The area may remain reddened for two to four weeks. After the redness clears the skin is returned to its natural smooth colouring and texture.