Tattoo removal and scarring: how to avoid marks for good

The right tattoo removal method to avoid scarring

If you have not taken the plunge yet and your tattoo is still stuck to your skin, laser is the best way to say adiós to it. It is by far the most effective and the safest way to part with your tattoos while limiting the risk of burns and scarring, according to public health authorities.

How does it work? How is it done? Here is the answer.

The secret: the laser method

We can tell you honestly: the only tattoo removal method that has genuinely proven itself today is laser removal. It works on all skin types and has fewer side effects than other techniques. After carefully reviewing every available method and reading the studies on the subject, we are certain it is our favourite. Specialists internationally agree that it is the only truly reliable method (with the exception of surgery, which should be kept for urgent situations). That is why laser is the only technique we recommend to you. And the proof is that it is the only method we use in our studios.

The tools we use: the picosecond laser

There is no good method without good tools. That is why we have chosen to use PicoWay® picosecond lasers. These lasers are developed by Candela and are number 1 on the market. They offer a wider range of wavelengths and more precise settings. This makes it possible to take better account of the colour of the inks used in the tattoo and the phenotype of your skin (in other words, its colour). This precision is a revolution in personalising the treatment: the design is erased faster and the skin is treated according to its own characteristics. Only artificial pigments are targeted, without heating or altering the skin around the tattoo. Used both for tattoo removal sessions on the skin and for eyebrow tattoo removal, these lasers are valued for their speed. And the faster a laser works, the less intense the burning sensation on the treated area. Good to know, right?

Trained skin therapists

State of the art tools are nothing without a well trained skin therapist using them. At Ray studios, only skin therapists are allowed to handle the machines. They are trained regularly in line with the latest knowledge in the field of tattoo removal. They also contribute to refining our methodology. What matters is that your laser tattoo removal is effective. If you have any question at all about how to remove your tattoo or about how it feels, do not hesitate to get in touch with them.

Because yes, it is true, a sensation similar to an elastic band snapping against your skin can be felt during the process. But generally speaking it is almost painless thanks to the numbing cream applied to the treated area. If you feel discomfort a few hours after the session, speak directly to the skin therapist who carried it out and we will always find a way to make you more comfortable.

Side effects kept under control

Do not be surprised if you feel some tingling on and around the treated area after your laser session. There is no need to worry, these effects are minor and perfectly manageable. They are usually small skin reactions such as redness, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation (a change in skin colour around the tattoo), light bleeding or itching. Applying a healing cream is recommended so you avoid scratching and causing an infection in the treated area. If the effects persist, talk to your skin therapist, who will know how to deal with them.

Tattoo removal methods to avoid if you want to avoid a scar

There are methods out there, more or less cheap, that might tempt you. The catch? These practices are not carried out by trained skin therapists in a controlled environment, and the products used are dangerous for your skin and your health. That is why we will never stop repeating it: for safe tattoo removal, laser is the only technique recognised and recommended by public health authorities.

The handmade failed: DIY scars

DIY techniques are ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. These remedies can take the form of:

• Using lemon
• Anti-tattoo creams
• All kinds of brushes to scrub the tattoo

Why does it not work? Because the tattoo ink sits in the dermis, a deep layer of skin covered by the epidermis, the surface layer. Anything done on the surface is therefore pointless and can even leave irreversible marks on your skin.

Chemical tattoo removal: scars without a laser

This is the one to run from: "tattoo removal without laser". The absence of a laser may sound reassuring, but it is nothing of the sort. Also known as "chemical tattoo removal", these treatments based on chemical products such as lactic acid are not recognised by specialists. You should absolutely stay away from them, not least because of their side effects (inflammation, unsightly scars and even necrosis).

One last word

1. If your new tattoo is already annoying you, do not worry. Soon it will be gone. Come and see us at least 8 weeks after your tattoo session. 8 weeks is the time needed to let your tissue regenerate and to allow the laser to be used safely.

2. Tattoo removal and the sun do not mix well. But you can perfectly well have your tattoo removed in summer. On one condition: you must keep the treated area well covered for 15 days before and 15 days after your laser session.

A few tips for protecting your tattoo area from the sun:

• Wrist: wear a watch with a wide strap, a bracelet, tie a scarf around it or put on a dressing.
• Chest/Back: cover the area with a piece of clothing or a t-shirt.
• Legs: go for linen trousers.
• Face: bring out the hats, caps or bucket hats for a bit of variety.

Have fun ☀️