Tattoo Removal Pain, Don't Worry Anymore! Effective Ways to Reduce It
Hello, I am a dermatology specialist. Recently, as tattoos have become more accessible, many people are getting various tattoos. However, when the tattoo is no longer desired over time and needs to be removed, many hesitate due to the pain of the procedure. In fact, removing a tattoo can feel more difficult than getting one. Today, we will delve into effective ways to reduce pain during tattoo removal.
Why Does Tattoo Removal Hurt?
Similar to getting a tattoo, the degree of pain during tattoo removal varies depending on the skin area. Areas with thin skin or a high concentration of nerves may experience more severe pain. Conversely, areas close to bone tend to feel less pain. Generally, tattoo removal pain is reported to be between 5 and 8 on a scale of 10.
How Can Tattoo Removal Pain Be Reduced?
There are several ways to minimize pain during tattoo removal.
- Utilizing Topical Anesthetic Cream: It is important to apply Topical Anesthetic Cream to the tattoo area before the procedure and allow it to numb sufficiently for at least 30 minutes. When the skin surface is anesthetized, pain during laser treatment can be effectively reduced.
- Using Cooling Devices: Cooling the treatment area also greatly helps in pain relief. Spraying cold air onto the treatment area with a cryo cooler can reduce pain during the procedure.
- Laser-Assisted Anesthesia: There is also a method of anesthetizing the skin by using a special laser to penetrate anesthetic medication into the skin. The principle is that the laser effectively vaporizes the anesthetic, numbing the skin and reducing pain.
- Fractional Technique: In addition to anesthesia and cooling methods, the Fractional Technique of the procedure itself can be utilized to reduce pain.
The Fractional Technique is a method of removing a small amount of tattoo over multiple sessions using relatively low energy, instead of removing a large amount at once. This method has the advantage of reducing pain from a single treatment while enhancing the tattoo removal effect.
When Is Tattoo Removal Pain Most Severe?
Tattoo removal pain can vary depending on the density and depth of the tattoo ink. Generally, the darker or deeper the ink, the more severe the pain may feel. In the case of laser tattoo removal, pain may feel severe for the initial 1 to 3 sessions, but as the sessions progress and the ink fades, the pain tends to gradually decrease.
Tattoo Removal Pain May Vary Individually
Tattoo removal pain may vary individually depending on various factors such as the treatment area, type of tattoo, and personal pain threshold. Therefore, it is important to consult sufficiently with the medical team before the procedure to choose the pain relief method that is right for you.
Today, we learned about various methods to reduce pain during tattoo removal. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to consult with the medical team.