Tattoos, Moles, Birthmarks
Tattoos, Moles, Birthmarks
Tattoos
Lasers remove tattos by breaking up the pigment colors with a high-intensity light beam. Black tattoo pigment absorbs all laser wavelengths, making it the easiest color to treat. Other colors can only be treated by selected lasers based upon the pigment color. The number of treatments you will need will depend on the age, size, and color(s) of tattoo. The color of your skin, as well as how deep the tattoo pigment goes, will also affect the removal technique. Smaller tattoos will require fewer pulses while larger ones will need more to remove them.
In either case, to completely get rid of a tattoo, it will take several treatments, After each visit, your tattoo should become progressively lighter. Immediately following the treatment , use an ice pack to soothe the treated area. And apply an antibiotic cream or ointment and bandage to protect it. You should also be sure it’s covered with sunblock when you’re outside.
Side Effects
Laser treatment is often safer than many other tattoo removal methods, such as excision, dermabrasion, or salabrasion because laser treatment selectively treats the pigment in the tattoo. And there are very few side effects.
Moles
Mole removal from the face and body is done using a combination of surgery and laser to achieve the best cosmetic result. Local anesthetic is used to ensure the procedure is painless. The most common way to remove moles that protrude from the skin is by a shave excision. Surgery includes mole excision and cauterization under local anesthesia. However, there is the potential for scarring, particularly if the mole is large and has deep roots. Removing a mole using a laser involves numbing the area using local anesthesia. Afterwards, a laser is used to excise the pigmentation in the mole. The pigment is then cleared away by the body’s natural healing processes. A scab forms over the mole which eventually falls away. The procedure is generally safe and the risk of scarring is minimal.
Birthmarks
Laser Therapy for Birthmarks. Laser therapy works on birthmarks that are close to the surface of the skin. It commonly is used to lighten the appearance or reduce the bumpiness of port-wine stains. And Laser therapy is often used to treat hemangiomas, especially those on the face. Laser therapy involves aiming short bursts of laser light at the birthmark to lighten the color of the birthmark, shrink the birthmark, or cause it to stop growing. After laser therapy, the treated skin becomes dark purple for about 7 to 10 days. After that time the skin should return to its normal color.