Are there any side effects on skin if I get a permanent tattoo?

Every decade seems to have its fad, its craze. For us in Dominica, for example, the 70’s saw the afro, bell-bottom and platform shoes. The 80’s and 90’s had their own. In this century, there’s hardly a black woman to be found without a weave or wig. And what seems to have been the biggest craze in the western hemisphere in the last decade more than any other time previously, is the tattoo. The rate of tattoo administrations seems to be accelerating all the time. And it used to be that you would see people with one or two small tattoos on one to a few body parts, but now it’s the entire body in a lot of cases.

But before you get a tattoo, make sure you know what’s involved. And be sure that tattooing is the right decision for you.

HOW TATTOOS ARE DONE

A tattoo is a permanent mark or design (mark the word ‘permanent’) made on your skin with pigments inserted through pricks into the skin’s top layer. Typically, the tattoo artist uses a hand-held machine that acts much like a sewing machine, with one or more needles repeatedly piercing the skin. The needles insert tiny ink droplets with every puncture. The process, which is done without any anaesthetic (deadening of the skin) does cause a small amount of bleeding and slight to potentially significant pain, depending on the pain threshold of the receiving person, and their level of mental preparation for the procedure.

GET TO KNOW THE RISKS

It’s important to remember that tattoos breach the skin, a fact which itself carries medico-legal implications. But that’s another broad issue not relevant to this discussion, and which I won’t get into. But this means that skin infections and other complications are possible, among which are:

Allergic reactions
Tattoo dyes – particularly red, green, yellow and blue dyes – can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. This can occur even years after you get the tattoo.

Skin infections
The manifestations of an infection, such as redness, swelling, pain and a pus-like drainage can occur after tattooing.

Unsterile tattooing equipment and needles can transmit infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C. This is why the American Association of Blood Banks requires a one-year wait between getting a tattoo and donating blood. It is of paramount importance to make sure that all tattooing equipment is clean and sterilized before use. Even if the needles are sterilized or have never been used, it is important to understand that in some cases the equipment that holds the needles cannot be sterilized reliably due to its design. Furthermore, the person who receives a tattoo must be sure to care for the tattooed area properly during the first week or so after the pigments are injected.

Other Skin Problems

Sometimes bumps called granulomas form around tattoo ink. Tattooing can also lead to keloids – raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue. We all know about these. If you have had a keloid before from a cut or other skin lesion, do not get a tattoo.

Blood borne diseases. If the equipment used to create you tattoo is contaminated with infected blood, you can contract various blood borne diseases – including tetanus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. We’re talking serious morbidity and possibly mortality here – and there’s also the possibility of HIV transmission. Do I need expand on this?

When insurance companies’ applications include on their questionnaire whether you have tattoos or multiple body piercings, what do you think they’re getting at? Think about it.

MRI Complications

On occasion, tattoos or permanent makeup might cause swelling or burning in the affected areas during MRI exams. Sometimes tattoo pigments can interfere with the quality of the image, such as when a person who has permanent eyeliner has an MRI of the eye. Some tattoo areas may actually cause burning of the skin because of the process involved. Medication or other treatment – including possible removal of the tattoo – might be needed if an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink occurs or you develop an infection or other skin problem near a tattoo.

Be Ready

Before you get a tattoo, be sure you truly want to invest in permanent body art. Unsure or worried that you might regret it someday? Give yourself more time to think about it. Don’t be pressured, and don’t get a tattoo under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If you decide to go ahead, choose the tattoo location carefully. Want it to be visible or hidden under clothing? Also remember that weight gain – including pregnancy weight gain – might distort the tattoo or otherwise affect its appearance.

Insist on Safety
To make sure your tattoo will be safely applied, answer these questions:

Who does the tattooing? Don’t attempt to tattoo yourself or have an untrained friend do the tattooing. Go to a reputable studio that employs only properly trained employees. Some locales have licensing standards. Find out about these where applicable.

Does the tattoo artist wear gloves? He or she should wash hands and wear a fresh pair of protective gloves for each procedure.

Does the tattoo artist use proper equipment? Make sure the tattoo artist removes the needle and takes it from sealed packages before your procedure begins. Any pigment, trays or containers should be unused as well.

Does the tattoo artist sterilize nondisposable equipment? Make sure the tattoo artist uses a heat sterilization machine (autoclave) to sterilize all nondisposable equipment between customers. Instruments and supplies that can’t be sterilized by an autoclave – drawer handles, tables and sinks – should be disinfected with a commercial disinfectant or bleach solution after each use.

Taking Care of Your Tattoo

This depends on the type and extent of work done. Usually, however, you’ll need to:

• Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Apply an antibacterial ointment or cream to the tattooed skin while it’s healing.

• Keep the tattooed skin clean.
Use plain soap and water and a gentle touch. While showering, avoid direct streams of water on the newly tattooed skin. Pat – don’t rub – the area dry.

• Use moisturizer. Use a mild one to the area several times a day.

• Avoid sun exposure. Keep out of sun for at least a few weeks

• Avoid swimming. Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water while your piercing is healing.

• Choose clothing carefully. Don’t wear anything that might stick to the tattoo.

• Allow up to 2 weeks for healing
Don’t pick at any scabs, which increases the risk of infection and can damage the design and cause scarring.

Removal Techniques

This is the area that concerns me a great deal. The craze will be over, and then what?

• Laser Treatments can lighten many tattoos, some more easily and effectively than others. Generally several visits are necessary over weeks or months, and treatment can be expensive. Some individuals experience a lightening of their natural skin coloring. And it is almost impossible for some degree of scarring not to occur with laser.

Knowing what pigments are in your tattoo or permanent makeup has always been difficult and has become more so as the variety of tattoo inks has multiplied. Inks are often sold by brand name only, not by chemical composition. The pigments are sold to tattoo parlors and salons, not on a retail basis to consumers, so manufactures are not required by law to list the ingredients on the labels. In addition, because manufactures may consider the identity and grade of their pigments “proprietary,” neither the tattooist nor the customer may be able to get this information.

Allergic reactions have also occurred from laser treatments, apparently because the laser caused allergenic substances in the tattoo ink to be released into the body.

• Dermabrasion involves abrading layers of skin with a wire brush or diamond fraise (a sanding disc). This process may leave a scar(s).

• Scarification involves removing the tattoo with an acid solution and creating a scar in its place.

• Salabrasion. A salt solution is used to remove the pigment. It is sometimes used in conjunction with dermabrasion, but has become less common.

• Surgical removal involves the use of tissue expanders (balloons inserted under the skin, so that when the tattoo is cut away, there is less scarring). Larger tattoos may require repeated surgery for complete removal.

Note that a common theme in most of these techniques is scarring. I implore my readers to think twice about tattoos and especially covering their whole bodies with them! That is unless you’re convinced you’ll want to keep them the rest of your lives, no matter what.

• Camouflaging a tattoo entails the injection of new pigments either to form a new pattern or cover a tattoo with skin-toned pigments. Injected pigments tend not to look natural because they lack the skin’s natural translucence.

Source: https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/columns/health-talk/health-talk-tattoo-risks-side-effects-precautions/

Is there any harmful effects of laser tattoo removal treatment?

There are several reasons why so many people have tattoos these days. For some they commemorate a special event or act as a tribute to friends or family members, while other people want to express their passions or simply appreciate a stunning piece of art. But there may come a time where you regret your tattoo and getting it removed is the only option. Laser technology is the most efficient and effective way of going about this, but it is natural to have questions or concerns about the side effects, some of which will be completely unfounded. Read on to find out the true laser tattoo removal side effects…

Frosting

During laser treatment, your skin will naturally turn a frosty white colour. This is caused by the carbon dioxide being released as a result of laser penetration and surfaces on the upper layer of the skin and usually only subsides after twenty minutes.

Blistering

During the removal process, the laser will heat up ink particles in your skin, which can cause tiny blood vessels to break around the tattoo. As a result, superficial blisters containing water and ink may appear. In fact, blisters are quite normal and an indication that the healing process has begun. They might not look too pretty and could be tender to touch, but blisters should take between 3-14 days to heal up completely, providing you don’t burst them!

Scabbing

Yet another sign that the tattoo removal is working, scabs often collect fragmented ink particles and usually appear 8 to 72 hours after the area has been treated. When the scab falls off, the top layer of ink will come with it. Picking at or peeling off scabs can increase the risk of scarring, so however tempting it might be, try to avoid this. A lot will depend on the size and location of your tattoo, but most scabs will disappear within two weeks.

Swelling

Our body’s natural defence system will react to things like illness or infection in a number of different ways. But while swelling usually occurs after being bitten by an insect or twisting your ankle, it can also happen after undergoing laser tattoo removal treatment. The heat from the laser will catalyse swelling, but just like any other type of swelling, this will go down once your immune system realises there is nothing wrong. If anything, be grateful that your body is alert and aware of potential dangers.

Discomfort

While a lot will depend on your personal pain threshold, it is fair to say that the majority of people will experience discomfort to a certain degree. The level of discomfort also depends a lot on where the tattoo is located; tattoos on more fleshy areas of the body will hurt less as the flesh acts as a cushion, whereas tattoos on areas such as the wrist, feet, face and fingers could make you wince a little more than if your tattoo was on your thigh! When laser tattoo removal first came to market, it received a bad reputation for being incredibly painful. But patients who have received removals from the latest and greatest PicoSure laser have said discomfort levels are up to half that of alternative treatments. In general, the discomfort is commonly compared to an elastic band being slapped against your skin.

Itching

Again, this should be seen as a good sign, as your immune system is kicking in and starting to heal the affected area. An itching sensation is common, but just like any other type of skin irritation, you must try your hardest not to scratch the area. Scratching could impact on the effectiveness of removal. You may also break the skin and create a wound, which will lead to additional scarring or risk infection. Generally, you should not apply creams or lotions to the area, but if the itching is unbearable, ask your laser operator for advice.

Scarring

Given the technological and medical advances in laser tattoo removal, permanent scarring is rare and occurs in less than two per cent of cases. If scarring does happen, it usually isn’t that noticeable and can be minimised with Vitamin E oil or over the counter silicone patches. Just make sure your skin has fully healed from the treatment before applying cosmetic products. In order to minimise the chance of scarring after treatment, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep each night and quit cigarettes if you happen to smoke. These measures will boost your body’s immune system and help the process of pigment elimination and skin repair. Also, try to avoid direct exposure to the sun, as ultraviolet radiation can harm your skin’s pigmentation and increase the risk of scarring due to greater sensitivity. Keloid scars, which are raised, thickened areas of skin can appear up to 3 to 6 months after treatment, but these are very rare.

Hyperpigmentation

During laser removal, pulses of different light wavelengths are used to remove the tattoo ink. However, it can also affect your skin’s natural pigment or melanin. A consequence of this is known as hyperpigmentation, which are essentially patches of darkened skin. This condition is typically seen on people with darker skin and active tans which will usually resolve itself. However, there are cosmetic products available to help even out skin tones.

Hypopigmentation

Conversely, hypopigmentation is where your skin’s normal pigmentation has been removed. As a result, lighter patches of skin will be visible where the tattoo once was. It can sometimes take months or even years for your skin’s pigment to appear normal again. For some people, it may never be the same. However, both hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation are bound to be more tolerable than the actual tattoo.

Infection

Seeing as laser removal treatment doesn’t actually break the surface of your skin, the risk of infection is low, especially if you follow the aftercare instructions set out by the laser technician. The risk of infection is increased if you burst blisters or pick at scabs, so avoid both of these. In the event of infection, contact the laser technician or your doctor.

Muscle soreness

Laser tattoo removal does not generally affect your muscles, so this side effect is uncommon. But a lot will depend on the treatment area and you could develop a little bit of soreness. If it feels tender, you can always apply a cold compress of ice or a pack of frozen vegetables from the freezer wrapped in a clean cloth. Applying ice directly can burn your skin while muscular pain relief products like Deep Heat shouldn’t be used.

In Summary

Even though there are quite a few possible side effects to laser tattoo removal, most of the aforementioned issues are uncommon with most patients. What’s more, if problems do occur, the majority of them are treatable or not too distressing.

Just remember to follow the advice your laser technician provides before and after the procedure, as this will improve the treatment effectiveness and minimise the risk of suffering from side effects. In many respects, it is just like getting a tattoo, but in the end you’ll be left with unblemished skin rather than a permanent piece of ink.

Source: The Truth About Laser Tattoo Removal Side Effects | Andrea Catton Laser Clinic

How risky is laser hair removal? What are the side effects?

Before embarking on the therapy, however, people should make themselves aware of some side effects of laser hair removal, as well as some myths that surround the process.

For most people, laser hair removal is a safe way to get rid of hair in unwanted places permanently or for long periods of time.

Laser hair removal is usually safe. The majority of people who use it find that laser hair removal is safe and well-tolerated. There do not appear to be any long-term health risks associated with the procedure.

However, some people may experience minor side effects after laser hair removal. People should ask their dermatologist to test how a small patch of skin reacts to the treatment before having it done on a larger area of skin.

People wishing to have laser hair removal treatment should always use a fully-qualified practitioner.

For a couple of days after treatment, the affected skin may become red and tender. Many people describe the sensation as similar to a sunburn. The process itself, however, is typically not painful.

Side effects

A few different side effects can appear after laser hair removal. Most side effects are minor and temporary. Anyone experiencing lasting side effects should consult their dermatologist.

Redness and irritation

Laser hair removal damages the follicles of the targeted hairs. The body reacts to this, and many people experience redness and irritation in the affected areas. The skin may tingle or feel tender, and may even appear to swell slightly.

The symptoms are usually short-lived. The affected area may look similar to skin that has just been waxed or plucked. Some dermatologists use a topical anesthetic to reduce how much a person's skin reacts to the process.

Irritation should ease after the initial reaction, usually within a few hours of the treatment. Swelling and redness may respond well to ice packs or a cool bath.

Crusting

Some people may experience skin crusting in the affected area. This is typically a minor issue but can be inconvenient.

Crusting can sometimes lead to scabbing or scarring. By taking care of the treated area after laser removal, such as by using a moisturizer, a person may prevent any lasting issues from this treatment.

Changes in skin color

Some people may notice minor color changes to the treated area of skin. It may get slightly darker or lighter, following laser hair removal.

People with lighter skin may be more likely to experience darker pigmentation changes. People with darker skin tones may be more prone to lighter pigmentation changes. These changes tend to fade away over time, and the skin returns to normal.

Eye injury

The hair removal procedure involves the use of powerful lasers. This means there is a risk of potentially serious eye injury, especially when a practitioner is working on a person's face.

Both the person receiving the treatment and the practitioner should wear protective eye equipment to help prevent injury while the procedure is carried out.

Risk of skin infection

As with other cosmetic hair removal methods, damaging hair follicles with a laser can create an infection risk.

The affected area should be treated as a wound while it heals. People should report any signs of infection to a dermatologist.

Finally, they should not apply over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic creams to large areas of skin if an infection arises.

Source:Laser hair removal side effects: What you need to know

Is there any way to remove a brand new tattoo?

A tattoo is a basically lasting imprint on the skin, made by infusing shade into the skin. Shockingly, there is no simple method to evacuate a tattoo, regardless of whether the tattoo is shiny new. As a rule, more up to date tattoos are marginally simpler to evacuate than more seasoned tattoos, be that as it may, there are numerous special cases to this contingent upon the ink utilized, the area of the tattoo and the tattoo craftsman's ability level. You can expel another tattoo in similar manners you would evacuate a more seasoned tattoo. No technique is totally idiot proof yet you can accomplish about full removal.

Counsel a laser specialist with respect to laser tattoo removal. The expert will utilize lasers on your inked skin, which discharge serious beats of light. The light separates the ink in the tattoo into exceptionally little pieces which are then consumed into the body. With every meeting, more ink is separated until you see a blurring impact after some time. Complete removal isn't likely, be that as it may, the tattoo will blur extensively using lasers. Know that laser tattoo removal is difficult, costly and requires rehashed visits. The professional will have the option to give you a gauge of what number of visits you will require as it is needy upon the size, area and kind of tattoo you have.

Apply blur cream to your tattoo. While it requires some investment to get results, you will see some blurring of the tattoo with customary use. The cream responds with the tattoo's ink and starts to separate it. The separated ink is then in the end reabsorbed into the body by means of the safe framework. While there are many blur and helping creams available, you ought to pick one that is explicitly intended to treat tattoos.

See your dermatologist about synthetic tattoo removal. The specialist will apply concoction arrangements which will infiltrate the top layers of your skin. The synthetic substances respond with the skin and strip away the top layers. Whenever done more than once more than a while, the tattoo will perceptibly blur. Anticipate that your skin should be red and disturbed after the medicines, with conceivable chipping and rankling.

Converse with your dermatologist about expelling the tattoo by means of medical procedure. A dermatologic specialist can remove the inked part of the skin and afterward stitch the skin back together. Now and again, skin unions can be taken from another piece of the body and sewn over the zone where the tattoo was.

Source: Laser Tattoo Removal

Who does the best laser hair removal in Harley Street, London?

Laser hair removal is a therapeutic method that uses a concentrated light emission (laser) to expel undesirable hair.

During laser hair removal, a laser radiates a light that is consumed by the color (melanin) in the hair. The light vitality is changed over to warm, which harms the cylinder formed sacs inside the skin (hair follicles) that produce hairs. This harm represses or defers future hair development.

In spite of the fact on laser hair removal viably defers hair development for extensive stretches, it normally doesn't bring about lasting hair removal. Numerous laser hair removal medications are required for introductory hair removal, and support medicines may be required too. Laser hair removal is best for individuals who have light skin and dim hair.

Basic treatment areas incorporate legs, armpits, upper lip, jaw and the swimsuit line. Be that as it may, it's conceivable to treat undesirable hair in almost any zone, with the exception of the eyelid or encompassing region.

Hair shading and skin type impact the accomplishment of laser hair removal. The fundamental rule is that the shade of the hair, yet not the color of the skin, ought to assimilate the light. The laser should harm just the hair follicle while staying away from harm to the skin. Hence, a difference among hair and skin shading — dim hair and light skin — brings about the best results.

The danger of harm to skin is more noteworthy when there is little differentiate among hair and skin shading, yet progresses in laser innovation have made laser hair removal a possibility for individuals who have darker skin. Laser hair removal is less successful for hair hues that don't ingest light well: dim, red, fair and white. Be that as it may, laser treatment choices for light-shaded hair keep on being created.

We suggest 6-8 medicines with 4-week interims for the best outcomes. These interims guarantee that we can focus on the laser hair removal at the ideal time, during the anagen (dynamic hair development) organize, all through the normal re-development cycle. Contingent upon how you as an individual respond to the treatment, the 4-week interims might be reached out to 6+ week interims as the re-development cycle starts to slow.

It is normal for a little minority of customers to require a finish up in any event 2 years from the underlying treatment, albeit developing hair that has been treated with SHR IPL ought not develop back. When a hair follicle is harmed, it can't develop hair, in any case, hair follicles that were not in the dynamic development stage should be dealt with.

SOURCE: Laser hair removal

What is laser tattoo removal?

Lasers expel tattoos by separating the shade hues with a high-power light shaft. Dark tattoo shade ingests all laser frequencies, making it the most straightforward shading to treat.

You should initially plan a meeting with a prepared proficient who can assess your tattoo and exhort you on the procedure. The quantity of medicines you will need will rely upon the age, size, and color(s) of your tattoo. The shade of your skin, just as how profound the tattoo color goes, will likewise influence the removal method.

By and large, this is the thing that you ought to expect during a laser tattoo removal meeting:

You'll be given a couple of defensive eye shields.

• The specialist will test your skin's response to the laser to decide the best vitality for treatment.
• The professional uses the laser to pass beats of serious light through the top layers of your skin that will be consumed by the tattoo color as it were.
• Littler tattoos will require less heartbeats while bigger ones will require more to evacuate them. After each visit, your tattoo ought to turn out to be dynamically lighter.

Laser tattoo removal is awkward, however most patients needn't bother with sedation. Contingent upon the area of your tattoo, you might need to apply a skin sedation cream heretofore.

Quickly following the treatment, utilize an ice pack to relieve the rewarded territory. Also, apply an anti-toxin cream or salve and gauze to secure it. You ought to likewise be certain it's secured with sunblock when you're outside.