Show Notes
Billy answers one of the most common questions in the studio, whether complete tattoo removal is possible and whether the skin will be damaged once the pigment is gone. He explains that scar tissue is often created during the original tattoo application or healing rather than by the laser, and walks through how he assesses a tattoo by looking at it and feeling for lumps and bumps. The focus is on managing expectations and treating conservatively so the skin is not harmed.
Topics Covered
Where scar tissue actually comes from
A lot of the raised or damaged skin people notice is caused by the tattoo application and healing, not the removal. If scar tissue is already present, it may remain visible even after full pigment removal.
How Billy assesses your tattoo
Before starting laser tattoo removal, Billy looks at and feels the tattoo to check for existing scarring. If he can feel lumps and bumps, that scar tissue will most likely be visible once the pigment is gone.
Treating conservatively to protect the skin
The goal is to be aggressive enough to be effective without damaging the skin. Billy prefers to err on the conservative side and slightly undertreat rather than overtreat and risk new scar tissue.
Knowing your own skin before you start
Factors like whether you are prone to hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, or keloids affect how your skin responds. Feel and look at your skin ahead of time so you understand its current condition.
Managing expectations before your first session
The point is not to discourage removal, but to help you arrive informed about what is realistic. Full removal may be possible, though any pre-existing scarring may always be there.
Full Transcript
Complete tattoo removal. Is it possible? And will my skin be damaged once the tattoo is gone? That's the question that we get all of the time.
Many people come in and they don't quite understand how the process works. They think that tattoo removal is going to damage their skin. But what they don't realize is that a lot of the time that scar tissue is actually caused by the tattoo application. So the first thing I look for when a client asks that question is if there's scar tissue already there.
Was there scar tissue created during the tattoo application or the tattoo healing? And if there's already scar tissue there, then chances are if we're able to remove that tattoo completely, there will be scar tissue there. Now, will it be visible or will it be invisible? That is unknown.
I don't know if your scar is visible or not. I don't know how badly it was scarred. I don't know how you scar. Are you prone to hyperpigmentation or hypo pigmentation?
Do you kloid? What I'm going to do once you ask me that question is I'm going to look at your tattoo. I'm going to feel your tattoo. I'm going to see if there's any scar tissue there.
I'm going to feel it. If I can feel lumps and bumps in your tattoo, then most likely that scar tissue is going to be visible once all that pigment is removed. Will the laser cause scar tissue? That's another question we get.
If it's treated properly, your skin will not be damaged during the laser tattoo removal process. We don't treat aggressively enough to cause scarring and damage to the skin. We try to skate on the line of being aggressive enough to where it's effective, but not aggressive enough to where it's going to cause any damage to the skin. And if anything, we're going to er on the side of conservative where we're not causing damage and we may be undertreating just a bit.
That's totally okay in my book. We do not overtreat. What we're trying to do is remove that pigment without damaging the skin. Will the laser damage the skin?
If done properly, no. If it's overtreated, then not only will you have the scarred tissue from the tattoo that's visible, but you'll have some new scar tissue that's caused by the laser. And that's what a lot of people worry about. and they automatically come in thinking that their skin is in perfect condition with a tattoo on it and they're worried about the laser causing damage to the skin.
It's important to be aware of what has happened to your skin up until this point. So, if you're thinking about getting laser tattoo removal and you're wondering if you're going to see any signs of that tattoo after you get it removed, then take a look at your skin. Feel your skin and check and see if you can see any damage to the skin. Is the skin raised?
Can you feel it? If that's the case, then 100% removal may be possible, but that scar tissue may always be there. And the reason why I'm making this video is not to discourage anybody from getting laser tattoo removal. I want to manage your expectations.
I want you to come in to our studio educated and informed so you know what to expect when you get laser tattoo removal. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments. Please like, share, tell a friend, uh, subscribe to this channel. If you do that, it'll make me happy and I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks for tuning in to the Faded Podcast and we'll see you again next time.