Tattoo Design Trend

Tattoo removal is a complicated and often impossible task. Contrary to common beliefs, laser removal does leave a trace and doesn't necessarily remove the tattoo completely. Depending on the size and part of the body, scars will be more or less visible. Keep in mind, however, that tattoos fade over time. If you wear a tattoo of your ex-love, you might wish to do a cover-up instead. Various tattoo removal creams circulate in the market but, save for being expensive, they usually can't help much.

Tattoo Removal Methods

Laser removal is the most common tattoo removal method. Laser affects the ink with laser light pulses, causing your immune system to clear the ink away. Rarely is one laser removal treatment sufficient for complete tattoo removal. Usually it takes up to 10 treatments, depending on the skin sensitivity and size of the tattoo. The catch is - the more treatments you undergo, the more damaged your skin gets. Laser rays penetrate the skin leaving blisters, which will eventually turn into scars. However, with the ever-advancing technology, scarring is minimal, but cannot be avoided. Laser removal treatments are quite expensive. The price varies from $250 to $850 per treatment, and none can guarantee positive results. Note that laser removal is quite painful, since it penetrates and burns your skin.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL) is a similar method, though less common. It uses high intensity light instead of laser light, but the removal process is more or less the same. Instead of a laser, a wand emits light pulses. The only advance of IPL is that it's less painful (though it also leaves scars) and indeed much more expensive. The price is calculated based on number of pulses applied, and a single pulse may cost up to $10. IPL also takes more treatments, depending on the tattoo size and skin sensitivity.

Other methods are quite ineffective and leave much deeper and uglier scars. An example would be the so-called excision, a surgical method used to cut the tattoo away and sew the skin afterwards.

Cover-ups

It often happens that a person gets a tattoo in a fit of emotion. Common examples are tattooed names (boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, child... ) or current idols. Some less lucky souls get tattoos from inexperienced tattoo artists, resulting in ugly images. The truth is, unless the tattoo is completely covered in black ink, a good tattoo artist may always do a nice cover-up. The term "cover-up" is used to describe two processes:

1. Redoing of the old faded tattoo (with or without new elements);
2. Replacement of the tattoo with another image.

When you make an appointment for laser tattoo removal, you give yourself the wonderful opportunity for a clean slate along a certain part of your body. There are several reasons to want to get rid of markings on the body but if you want it done right, it is important to pay attention to all instructions given to you by a professional. Despite what you already know about the procedure, there are still plenty of questions that most clients have about the experience.

How does the procedure work?

In laser tattoo removal, powerful equipment is used to remove the ink from the skin by breaking it into tiny pieces. The skin around the tattoo goes untouched and unaffected. The body's immune system then takes the ink and removes it from the body. Eventually the markings fade until they are no longer as visible. It takes multiple treatments to remove ink and the larger the marking, the more treatments it will require.

Is it painful?

Like many procedures involving this type of equipment, there is some pain associated with laser tattoo removal. Previous clients have likened it to a lot of bee stings all at the same time or multiple rubber bands snapping the skin. Depending on your pain threshold, you can choose to have a cold compress added to the area to make it numb. You might also consider also taking an over-the-counter- pain medication.

How can a person prepare?

Talk to the professional about your options for managing pain in advance. Also, get an idea of how many treatments you will need and how far apart they should be scheduled. You definitely want to know how much the procedure will cost. Most of the time the cost directly correlates to the size of the marking as well as the amount of ink used.

How can I take care of the area after the procedure is complete?

You are going to feel pain in the area that can be likened to sunburn. You need to make sure that you keep the area covered and allow it to heal. If you don't there is a chance of complications and you could be delaying your results. Stay out of the sun and be aware of your physical limitations. If any type of strenuous activity is going to involve the area affected by laser tattoo removal, be cautious and if you feel pain, stop immediately.

Ahhhh... that first tattoo. It's a moment you'll never forget, and it's not just because you'll carry the reminder of it on your body pretty much forever.

Choosing your first tattoo should never be a rushed decision, yet many people have made this mistake regardless. Whether it was a rush to be the first in their circle of friends to get one, or it was a "dare" between friends... or it was simply a decision that was made when in a not-so-sober state - tattoo regret is nothing to take lightly.

To avoid tattoo regret, it is best to take things slowly and do your research beforehand. Getting a tattoo is a major life decision, and just like any other big decision, you must put a lot of thought towards it and outweigh the pros and cons. Here are some questions that may help.

First off, before taking the plunge in finding a perfect tattoo, ask yourself "is a tattoo really what I want?" As silly as it may sound, just because you really, really want a tattoo today, does it mean you're gonna still want it tomorrow, or next year, or 10 years from now? For some people, a tattoo was simply a "phase of their life," and something their older selves don't jive with anymore. Google "tattoo removal" sometime and see how big of a market that is! My advice? Let that tattoo idea percolate a little while longer - picture yourself 5-10 years down the road with your tattoo - if say, a year from now, you still have this burning desire to get inked, go for it. If not, well maybe it's not meant to be.

Secondly, keep your mind and your options open. If you've decided that you're going to get permanently inked, make it a good one. This means taking your time to not only research different flash ideas, but to also research different tattoo artists in your area. The Internet is wonderful when it comes to research, and I definitely recommend starting here. Google "tattoo design ideas" or "tattoo artists" or "dragon tattoo designs" - you get the idea. There are way too many ideas to go through in your lifetime, but the more specific you are in your search query, the better information you'll get. After you spend a bit of time with Google, you'll begin to get a good idea of who's who and who's not!

As good as the Internet is, remember, it's just a start. Keep track of what appeals to you, and even print out designs you like. Mull them over for a while. Again, picture having this tattoo 5 or 10 years down the road. Ask, "will this look good even in a few years, or is it simply a trend right now?" Remember, a trend is just that, until something else comes along and replaces it.

Now it's time to add some human touch. Although your tattoo design idea is your decision in the end, it doesn't hurt to get other opinions on it. See what your close friends (or even family) think of it. Talk to other people who actually have tattoos. See what they think (and make sure their tattoos don't suck, first!). While you're at it, ask them who they recommend as a good tattoo artist, and why. Check out a tattoo convention or two. Get yourself out there and asking important questions.

By now you've chosen a tattoo that is unique to you, have talked to others, and have decided on your tattoo artist. Now what? Well, if you haven't already, decide exactly where on your body you'll be inked forever. Do you want everyone to see it, or do you want it in a more inconspicuous area of your body? Is this area going to be ultra-sensitive to a tattoo needle? Will this area heal fairly quickly, or will it be constantly rubbed against? Again, how about a few years down the road? Talk it over with your tattoo artist, and when you're ready to take the plunge, let the fun begin!

These are just some of the basic tips to help you when considering your first (or even your next) tattoo. Of course, if you have any medical issues that may affect getting a tattoo, discuss them with your doctor AND especially your tattoo artist. I hope this little bit of information will help you in making one of your life's big decisions. Better yet, I hope it helps you to AVOID tattoo regret!

Tattoos are more popular and acceptable now than ever before, but in some cases regret starts to creep in, which has resulted in another booming industry and that relates to tattoo removal. Even though it can be extremely difficult to remove a tattoo, there is now a wide-range of procedures which might be used to tackle this problem. Irrespective of the reason for wishing to have a tattoo removed, some of the most popular techniques consist of -

Tattoo Removal Cream - the specially formulated creams for tattoo removal are the easiest, most convenient, and cost-effective option on the market. Two main types of creams are available; the first is a temporary solution to merely cover the tattoo and doesn't have any long-term impact on the appearance of a tattoo. The second type of cream is designed to help fade the appearance of a tattoo. Using cream is a slow process, which will need a good couple of months to start showing positive results. A cream is certainly able to lighten the tattoo, but shouldn't be seen as a solution to completely eliminate all signs of it; further more aggressive steps will be needed to do that. This technique is however low-cost and available to perform at home.

Laser Light Therapy - a more common process for tattoo removal is the highly effective laser light therapy, which relies on a beam of focused light. This has the potential to break down the ink into tiny pieces. After that, the immune system is able to gather those small broken down particles and effectively clear them away. In order to work, this treatment will run over the course of multiple sessions, with each stage of the process slowly clearing more and more. Due to the need for repeat visits to have the treatment professionally carried out, it can turn out to be quite expensive. But, if you really wish to have a tattoo removed, it will cost to have things put right.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy - is another of the effective steps which can be taken to eradicate an un-wanted tattoo. Similar to the laser light therapy, this technique also relies on light, but instead of using a laser to breakdown a tattoo, a high-intensity light is used. A tattoo is covered with a specific type of gel and then light is transmitted via the use of a wand. It is less costly than going the route of laser treatment, but might be more expensive to complete the treatment in full.

The art of tattooing has evolved with humans. You probably would have heard that tattoos aren't the newest addition to body art; they have been around for quite a while now. And so are the infections. It is one of the downsides of getting a tattoo if it is not carried out correctly, it could leave you with bad memories and most probably a scar. So, before you follow the trend and get inked, you should think about it, read about it and ask about it.
It is no secret that body tattoos have their own risks. You can get infected, develop allergies or skin problems and there is a possibility that you won't be allowed to get an MRI because of the ink burns when you get under the machine. There is a lot to be learnt about tattoos from how it is done, where it is done and how to take care of it. Start with the most obvious question - do you want one? If yes, what do you want and where can you get it?
Experts always suggest that you never try it at home and go to a professional studio. Not only is it safer but it is the best way to get what you want. If you are worried about the money they are going to charge you, think of it this way - spending a few bucks on a professional tattoo artist is better than spending a fortune on medicines and treatments if something goes wrong. Also, a tattoo artist can educate you about the tattoo aftercare which is the second step to a good tattoo. Aftercare of the tattoo can make it last longer and with a better effect. You should know when to apply water on it, how to clean it, which ointments to use and the everyday dos and don'ts. Following the instructions of your tattooist is the best possible way to care for your tattoo and if there are any doubts, you can always use the internet to confirm the expert's opinions. Whenever you think it hurts too much or it isn't healing properly, consult a dermatologist without wasting any time. You can never be too careful with your tattoo.
It might not look like that to everybody but it is a huge thing to get a tattoo. If it is permanent, you will have to live with it whether you like it or not. It is true that you can get it removed surgically but that would be wasting a lot of money and time. Not to forget, it never goes away permanently especially if it has bright colors. So if you get back home one day and you don't like your tattoo, it just might be too late. Take your own sweet time before getting under the needle. And when you are certain this is what you want, get it but take care of your body. If you won't, no one else will. You owe it to yourself to be accountable and responsible.