If you are thinking about ANY type of aesthetic treatment, as you know it can be confusing to know what the right treatment is for you or what works best. So, if you are thinking about having your unwanted tattoo removed, it’s hard to know where to begin and what type of treatment to go for. The most common forms of tattoo removal are Laser or Saline removal, so what is the difference?
What is Saline removal?
Using saline to remove tattoos involves a saline solution being inserted into the skin. Usually using a tattoo machine, the device punctures the top layer of the skin which opens the area. The main ingredient used for this tattoo fading technique is Sodium Chloride (salt). When the sterile solution is implanted into the area to draw out the ink/pigment, a process called osmosis is induced which successfully attracts fragmented ink particles, drawing them out of the skin. The skin will then scab over, heal and the ink/pigment will be lifted away as the scab falls off. Overtime each treatment will allow the tattoo to become lighter. This method of tattoo removal is most commonly used in the initial stages of semi-permanent makeup correction. It typically takes 2-3 sessions for the fading to become visible and an average of 8-10 sessions are required to see good fading overall.
Pros of Saline tattoo removal
- Safe for all skin types
- Low risk of hyper/hypopigmentation
- Lower price point
- Convenient for smaller tattoos
Cons of Saline tattoo removal
- 8 – 10 weeks of recovery time between sessions
- Higher risk of infection due to open skin
- Harder to achieve full removal and to remove darker colours
- Most suitable for fading semi-permanent makeup (cosmetic tattoos)
What is Laser tattoo removal?
Q-switched lasers generate a high-powered beam of laser light which is delivered in an extremely short pulse. This laser light energy is then absorbed by the ink/pigment in the tattoo. It creates an earthquake effect to shatter the ink particles, to enable our natural immune defence system to absorb and disperse of the ink. Following the treatment this process will continue to work for months following the treatment, providing effective results.
Tattoo removal using Q-Switched lasers are considered by dermatologists to be the most effective, safe, and reliable way to remove tattoos.
As an average, it can take 8-10 sessions to achieve full removal and these are carried out every 6-8 weeks.
Pros of Laser tattoo removal
- Very effective process with low infection risk
- Good for all size and colour of tattoos
- Quick treatment time
- Can achieve full removal
Cons of Laser tattoo removal
- Can be expensive
- Small risk of hypopigmentation in darker skin types
- Can be uncomfortable in certain areas
In conclusion, there are pros and cons to each method of tattoo removal. Full aftercare advice must be followed following each form of treatment to prevent complications. If you are looking to fade semi-permanent makeup or small tattoos light in colour, or if you have a small budget then Saline could work best for you. If you have a larger tattoo, with heavy colours, and you are looking for fading or full removal then laser tattoo removal could be the best option for you.
As experts in aesthetic treatments, the best advice we can give you is to always do your research and speak to a tattoo removal specialist before having a treatment.
You can contact The Lynton Clinic on 01477 536979 or email us at thelyntonclinic@lynton.co.uk for more information.