TATTOO REMOVAL

The history of tattooing dates back to the 12th century BC.

With the popularity of tattoos the number of people who regret having once gotten a tattoo also grows.

Names, pictures, and symbols that used to have meaning are no longer special.

Sometimes it becomes even unbearable to see them on your skin. So, tattoo removal can be considered. And although removing a tattoo is not as easy as having it done, modern technology allows you to get rid of unwanted tattoos.

According to researches 1 in every 4 people wants to have their tattoo removed after a while. Half of the people over 40 regret they've gotten tattoos done at some point in their lives.

According to researches 5 most common reasons for tattoo removal are the following:

• After a while tattoo loses its meaning;
• Dissatisfaction with the tattoo quality;
• The tattooed name of a significant person no longer matters;
• The tattoo no longer reflects this owner's character.
• However, according to the study, the most common reason for tattoo removal goes like "I was immature when I had it done."

You may have one or more of the above reasons and are probably thinking about tattoo removal in Antalya but do not know where to start. Then keep reading our article. You can find answers to all the questions that come to your mind!

What are the steps of tattoo removal?

If you go to a hospital or clinic that has been practicing tattoo removal for many years - such as the DK Klinik-you will need to go through the following steps.

1. Analysis of tattoos

Factors such as the size, color, depth of the tattoo, and the number of scars, if any, are investigated by our specialist. In addition, the amount of ink used to apply the tattoo is determined. As a result of this analysis, the assessment is carried out in accordance with the Kerbai-Desai Scale.

The Kirbei-Desai indicator gives us information on the average number of sessions required to remove a certain tattoo.

Therefore, it is very important that your tattoo removal specialist does a quality analysis. It is important that the area is not exposed to sunlight before removing the tattoo.

If there is a sunburn in this area the procedure should not be applied. You need to wait until the effect of the sunburn disappears.

2. Skin disinfection

The tattoo and the area around it are disinfected with special agents.

3. Application of anesthetic cream

During the procedure, local anesthetic cream or local anesthetic injection is applied to reduce pain.

4. Performing the procedure

The device is dosed according to the results of the tattoo analysis and the removal process begins.

5. Applying moisturizers and antibiotic creams

After the procedure, antibiotic cream and moisturizers suitable for the skin type are applied to the area. If necessary, the antibiotic cream can be used for 2-3 more days (consult your specialist).

How many sessions will it take to remove my tattoo? How long does the process take?

Some of the patients who come to our clinic want to urgently have their tattoo removed because of an important situation in their life, for example, a wedding or military service. It is impossible to remove a tattoo in one session. Even if you get a good result in one session, it takes time to see the effect of the procedure.

Satisfactory results are received after 5 to 10 sessions. The number of sessions depends on many factors such as the depth of the pigment, the experience, and attention of the person performing the removal, the quality of the device, and the size and color of the tattoo.

For a good result, the interval of each session should be at least 8 weeks.

Which laser device is the best for tattoo removal?

The device that is scientifically considered to be the gold standard in laser tattoo removal is the Q-Switch ND-Yag laser. The FDA-approved Q-Switch ND-Yag is used for tattoo removal in DK Klinik.

How does the tattoo removal mechanism work? How to remove a tattoo?

Tattoo dyes are injected into the middle layer of the skin (dermis). The laser beam crosses the top layer of the skin and reaches the middle layer of the skin. Laser radiation absorbed by the dye molecules when exposed to high temperatures concentrated in a very small area fragments the dye pigment. The fragments of the destroyed dye are removed from the body by cells of the immune system (phagocytes). This process takes 6 to 8 weeks. Hence, the rate at which the dye is removed from our body determines the waiting time between two sessions.

After each session, the top of the skin is crusty or flaky.

The laser beam is effective at destroying dark colors and is less effective on light colors such as yellow and green. In addition, the healing process is faster and more efficient in areas where the skin is thinner and the blood supply is higher.

How effective is tattoo removal?

First, it depends on the tattoo itself. Factors affecting the success of the procedure:

• It is very important that the depth of the pigment applied during the tattoo is uniform. This demonstrates the professionalism of the tattoo artist. The laser beam is held in the upper layer of the skin and does not penetrate below.
• Single-color tattoos are easier to remove.
• It is easier to remove a tattoo with medium-dark ink than very dark or pale ink.
• The good quality of the ink used ensures a more successful removal.

The ideal result is the complete removal of the tattoo when it becomes invisible. In the case of black tattoos, the success rate can be over 90%. However, removal is considered successful when the tattooed inscription cannot be read and the pattern is difficult to distinguish.

Result of 8 sessions of TATTOO REMOVAL

Result of 10 sessions of TATTOO REMOVAL

Result of 8 sessions of TATTOO REMOVAL

What rules should be followed before tattoo removal?

• The area where the tattoo is to be removed must be protected from UV radiation for 2 weeks.
• The area of ​​application must be shaved.
• Stop taking blood thinners such as aspirin 2 weeks before your procedure.
• If you are using drugs containing iron, consult your doctor and, if necessary, discontinue use for a while.

Do I feel pain during tattoo removal?

When we ask a lot of people who come to our clinic for tattoo removal about the level of pain, and we usually get the answer "less than I expected." If you've done laser hair removal before, the pain level of tattoo removal will be similar. In addition, many patients report that getting a tattoo and removing a tattoo causes a similar level of pain. A local anesthetic can be injected into sensitive areas. In addition, pain can be reduced by applying cold compresses.

Although we apply a local anesthetic with a cream to minimize pain the pain threshold varies from person to person. However, it should be noted that no matter how low your pain threshold is, you will not face unbearable pain.

What are the prices for tattoo removal? What are the criteria for calculating the price?

The cost of laser tattoo removal is indicated per session. Therefore, people who want to have their tattoos removed want to know before the procedure how many sessions it will take for their tattoos to be removed.

The color, depth, size, and area of ​​the tattoo are the most important factors in determining the number of sessions.

Hence, tattoo removal requires more time and materials for color, deep or large tattoos.

In this case, the price will increase. The cost of tattoo removal will be determined after your tattoo has been verified by our experts. Consultations at DK Klinik are free of charge.

Will a scar remain when my tattoo is removed?

Even the world's most advanced devices or techniques cannot completely remove your tattoo. However, good medical care, a suitable and quality tattoo removal laser device, and skillful personnel make it possible to have very satisfactory results.

It is widely believed that scars remain after tattoo removal. However, the likelihood of having a scar after the procedure is very small and usually depends on several factors.

The first is using a device not suitable for tattoo removal or using incorrect laser shot settings.

Another reason is that the tattoo artist injected the tattoo ink into the deeper layers and not into the middle layer. A good tattoo artist avoids injecting ink into the deeper layers of the skin.

An important reason why the tattoo removal process seems to leave a scar is that the scar is actually formed during tattooing, but the tattoo hides the scar. When laser removal is performed, the existing scar becomes visible as the tattoo begins to fade.

Can tattoos be removed naturally?

It is very difficult to have a positive result by removing tattoos with other methods besides laser.

On the Internet, you can find very popular non-scientific methods such as “tattoo removal at home” or “removal of the unwanted tattoo with lemon” which also put a person's health at risk.

Gel, lemon, or any other product used cannot reach the middle layer of our skin where the tattoo ink resides, so they cannot remove the tattoo.

One of the unscientific and unreliable tricks is salt tattoo removal. This method can burn the skin and cause irreparable damage. Do not under any circumstances use this method.

The permanent tattoo cannot be removed naturally or with products such as tattoo removal gel.

What are the risks of tattoo removal? Can I have the side effects?

As with any cosmetic procedure, tattoo removal comes with some side effects and risks. The incidence of these side effects is expected to be fairly low in reliable clinics. In case of side effects, clinics, where the procedure is carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist, can apply the procedures necessary to eliminate these side effects.

For example, in centers where inappropriate and poor quality machines are used or where inadequately trained personnel are practicing there is a higher probability of having"hyperpigmentation" - which is defined as increased skin color - or "depigmentation" - which is defined as a decrease in skin color.

The likelihood of an infrequent risk, namely the risk of infection, also increases because such centers do not provide the necessary hygienic conditions or the patient was not correctly informed.

On the other hand, side effects of the procedure such as redness, itching, crusting, and tenderness are temporary.

In general, the relatively rare and relatively serious risks of the procedure are infection, hyperpigmentation or depigmentation, and an allergic reaction. To minimize these risks in our clinic:

... We use an FDA-approved tattoo removal device.

... Our personnel performing the procedure have undergone special training and experience in tattoo removal.

... We provide the hygienic conditions necessary for this procedure.

... If there is a likelihood of an allergic reaction in people with allergies we carry out a test laser treatment on a very small area and observe the skin reaction for 1 week. If an allergic reaction occurs we inform such patients from the very beginning that this procedure is not suitable for them. We do not charge any fees for the testing process.

What should be considered after tattoo removal?

The treated area should not contact hot / very warm areas for 72 hours after the procedure. During this time you should avoid sauna, steam bath, sunbathing or exposure to sunlight, hot showers, hot tubs, or physical activities that cause you to sweat. You can shower the day after your procedure, but take a warm shower instead of a hot one and avoid the high-pressure water hitting the treated area.

After the procedure, redness, swelling, itching, crusting, or moist discharge may appear on the treated area. They usually go away in a few hours, but the redness can last up to 10 days. This is the expected situation.

After the procedure, we recommend a cream with bepantol to moisturize the area and speed up healing. You can use this cream for up to two weeks.

To protect the treated area from the sun, use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for 3 months after the procedure. We recommend that you regularly use sunscreen in summer and winter, regardless of tattoo removal.

Do not apply makeup to the treated area for two days after the procedure.

If you suspect that an infection has appeared on the treated area, do not panic but see a clinic doctor. The infection can be eliminated with topical antibiotic creams.

You may find some of our before and after results, below;

TATTOO REMOVAL - Before and After Gallery

You can watch how tattoo removal is performed in our clinic: