How Do I Find the Right Tattoo Removal Studio?

How do you go about finding the right tattoo removal studio? This is a question that a lot of people wonder about during their search for the perfect laser tattoo removal studio. There is no single way that is best for finding the right tattoo removal studio; all you can do is use your head and do your research. This blog will help you know what to look for when doing your research for your tattoo removal studio.

The first thing you want to do is research the studio. As a Chicago tattoo removal studio, we encourage people to research us and get to know us so they know what to expect when they walk in our doors. We want them to know us before we even know them and are not surprised by what they find in our laser tattoo removal studio in Chicagoland. They will already know all about us from doing their research. Do not choose the first place that you come across just because you want to just get it over with; make sure that the place you choose is the right one for you and not chosen out of convenience or sake of time. Also, don't rush the research process; take a few days, or even weeks, to research some tattoo removal studios. Do different kinds of research as well. One way to research is to use the internet to do research with (and is perhaps your most powerful and quickest way to research). Another way to research is to go into actual tattoo removal studios; look at their photos, review their material such as pamphlets, packets, etc. A third way to research is to find someone who has had the tattoo removal procedure done and ask them what it was like and such.

The second thing you want to do is check out the tattoo removal procedure. Make sure you know what is going to happen during the procedure and know what to expect afterwards, like how to take care of the affected area in between sessions. Make sure you talk to the doctor, or at least the studio, and get the details of what will happen during the procedure. What do you need to do in preparation for the procedure? What will happen during? What are you supposed to do afterwards? These are all things you will want and need to know. Another thing you will want to know is what kind of laser the studio will use. At Erase Tattoo Removal, we use the Asclepion TattooStar Effect Laser which is a kind of Q-switched laser. The kind of technique we use is the R20 procedure which compounds four passes of the laser into one session.

Knowing about your tattoo removal studio and the procedure is something that you should do before you decide on the tattoo removal studio. Make sure you know about the studio and what they do so you know if the place is right for you and if you are sure you want to go through with it. If the place uses a laser that can take care of your tattoo and you trust them based on your research, then you have to decide.

Why Wait 8 Weeks in Between Laser Tattoo Removal Sessions?

When people are doing research on the laser tattoo removal procedure, they often find that they have to wait approximately 6-8 weeks in between removal sessions. This seems like a ridiculous amount of time to wait for your next tattoo removal session. When you think about it, a lot can happen in your life in that month and a half to two months; your whole life can change in that amount of time.

However, if you do your research, especially by talking to someone who is knowledgable about the tattoo removal industry, you will find that this amount of time is required for proper laser tattoo removal. Let's take a look at why the 6-8 week waiting period in between removal sessions is required for a successful tattoo removal procedure.

There are a few reasons why you must wait that six to eight weeks. The first reason is because it takes roughly eight weeks for the body to take that now dead ink and process it so it can be removed from the body. When the removal process breaks down the ink in the skin, it has to be removed; the body doesn't even completely get the removing ink process going until about the fifth week after the tattoo removal procedure session. Thus, if you were to go back before this process is done, you would be interfering with the process and could cause problems. Of course, the better the immune system and skin quality you have, the sooner and faster this process moves along; if you have poor skin and/or immunity, then you could take longer. Going in after eight weeks ensures this process is done by your
next removal session. 

The second reason for the long wait is because you need that time for your skin to heal and regroup after being traumatized after the previous tattoo removal procedure session. This is especially true if you get the R20 procedure since that's essentially four sessions in one. Depending on the person, you could be healed and pretty good to go after week four or five but just to be certain that your skin is good to go, you should wait the full eight weeks unless stated otherwise by the doctor performing your tattoo removal procedure.

Why is the ultimate reason you should care about waiting the full length of time between tattoo removal sessions? Because if you go back too soon then you can be interfering with the removal process and be wasting your money. You wouldn't remove the cast from a broken bone before it was healed, would you? No. Otherwise you would not heal right, end up getting more treatments or at least a new cast, and be wasting money.

Bottom line, don't be in such a rush to get this done, let it take the appropriate amount of time and get it done right. You always have time to get things done the right way but you don't always have the time to do things a second time.

Doing a "tattoo removal procedure" for Henna Ink

The henna tattoo is something that has become popular over the years and not just with Indians but with people from any country. The henna tattoo can be seen by anyone who wants one these days. With the popularity of the henna tattoo, a lot of people are asking, "How do I get rid of it once I want it gone?" This is a valid question because while the tattoo is not permanent, it is not as easily removed as a temporary tattoo that children often receive. Why is the henna tattoo a bit more permanent? Well, this is because of what happens during the henna tattoo process.

When getting a henna tattoo, what you are getting on your skin is actually the dye that is drawn from the henna plant, often mixed with a coloring agent for design, and then applied to your skin with a tool or even freehand. Once the henna ink is applied to your skin via whatever means, it then soaks into the epidermis layer of skin, or the top layer of skin that we see and feel everyday. Because it soaks its way into the top layer of skin, it is harder to get rid of since you can't just get rid of your skin. The henna ink typically last two to three weeks, usually only two.

There is a way, however, to get rid of the ink in your epidermis. The process to get rid of the ink is sort of like the dermabrasion tattoo removal procedure for real tattoos. In case you are not familiar with this method, it is when, essentially, you scrub your skin until the tattoo is gone. But since the henna tattoo is not as serious, neither is this removal method.

To get rid of the henna tattoo, what you have to do for step one is take a shower. Everyday, take your shower, morning or night, whatever you prefer, and just do your daily routine. However, while taking your shower, use a loofah or something like a loofah. What you want to do is use the loofah but make sure to rub the spot(s) containing the henna ink. This will be a slow tattoo removal process but will be an essential part of it.

The second step of the henna tattoo removal process is get some salt water. What you do is get a cup and fill it with one part salt to one part water. Once you have done that, take a gauze pad and soak it in the solution. Once the gauze pad is saturated with the saltwater solution, lay it on the henna ink spot for a good 20 minutes. Just rest during this time, watch TV or something. Once the 20 minutes are up, remove the gauze pad and then rinse the area. Do this process 2-3 times a day. Doing this process 2-3 times a day will help speed up the process of removing the henna tattoo.

Step three for removing the henna tattoo is to soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can be found at any store like Walmart, Walgreens, Target, etc. Ask a store clerk if you can't find it but it should be near the medical stuff like band-aids, etc. Once the cotton ball is saturated in the hydrogen peroxide, rub the henna ink with the cotton ball until the ink is gone. This can take a few minutes, by that I mean several, but will remove the ink.

The fourth step for removing the henna tattoo is mix one part lemon juice, one part dish soap, and one part baking soda in a mixing bowl. Then take a clean washcloth and soak it in the solution. Once it is soaked, scrub the remains of the henna ink with the washcloth until are traces of the tattoo are gone.

So while it was fun getting the henna tattoo, now you can safely and effectively remove the tattoo. As a laser tattoo removal studio in Chicago, we know all about tattoo removal. We use the R20 procedure for tattoos and we also give free consultations!

Tips for Tattoos: Know What's Good

I know that since we are a laser tattoo removal studio in Chicagoland, we often focus on that side of the tattoo industry but for this post, we want to focus on the the other side of the tattoo industry, tattoos. There are a lot of bad tattoo designs out there and it is important  for people to know how to handle their ink ideas and what is appropriate to follow through with and what to abandon. Well, there are quite a few tips for those considering getting some ink, especially for those considering it for the first time.

1. Keep it subtle. What I mean by this is that you do not want to get something that speaks louder than you do; for example, try to stay away from tattoos that cover your whole back and feature the image from the cover of your favorite DVD or something. Keep it subtle, get something that looks good but is not obnoxious, you know? 
2. Grammar is a big deal. When you decide that you want to get your tattoo, double and triple check with the tattoo artist that they understand the grammar that is needed in the tattoo to have it make sense and not look tacky. Some common mistakes with grammar are, "your & you're" "their, there, and they're" etc. It does not make sense to have a tattoo that says, "Your beautiful." You do not own beauty, you are beauty. Get it right. Another aspect of this point is spelling. It is embarrassing for someone to be walking around with a tattoo that is misspelled. Perhaps a great example of this is plastered all over the internet, the one where the guy is taking a mirror selfie and his tattoo says, "Exreme" across his chest. Seriously? Who messed that one up? 
3. Make sure the image you want your tattoo to represent is not something that can be misunderstood. If you want to get a tattoo of something, make sure that the image of the object is the same as it appears in real life! For example, try to not get a tattoo of something like a hot dog because you like them because it can easily be seen as something else, you know what I mean. 
4. Be weary of getting a tattoo of someone's face. The reason you want to watch out for getting a tattoo of someone's face is because they do not always turn out well. Actually, they often turn out rather creepy and the face on your body can look like the person was insane and ready to launch a murderous rampage. 
5. Lastly, try to avoid getting a tattoo of something that is only a fad, especially a short-lived fad at that. For example, getting a tattoo of YOLO or an immature phrase is not something you will want on your body when you are trying to nail an interview for that $100k job. 

Just be aware of the power of tattoos and how they can appear on your body; just because something looks cool in one medium does not mean it will look good as a tattoo. Think about what you want for a while and see what it will look like as a drawing before you put it on your body. Getting a tattoo is a big deal and so there is no need to rush the decision. 

If you do get or have gotten poor tattoos, then you can at least get them removed and sometimes quickly, but you should still plan on being smart with a tattoo. 

How Do I Find a Good Tattoo Removal Studio?

So you're looking for a laser tattoo removal studio and are wondering, "Where do I start?" Well, this is often a daunting task and can strike fear into those who are already scared at the thought of getting tattoo removal to begin with. The stress of finding a good tattoo removal studio, especially a good laser tattoo removal studio, can be overwhelming because if you don't find a good studio, then you can be left with a nasty scar, a lot of pain, an incomplete tattoo removal process, and a big ol' hole in your wallet. What adds to this pressure of finding the perfect laser tattoo removal studio is the amount of money that you have to pay for the procedure, out of your own pocket; the majority of insurance companies do not opt to pay for the procedure since it is classified as elective surgery or cosmetic surgery. Well, here are a few tips to help you out with finding the right studio.

1) Do your research. If you do not do your online research then finding the right tattoo removal studio will not end well. Look online and do a search on a search engine of what is a good tattoo removal studio. See what people are saying. Are the links coming up viewed by lots of people? Are there lots of suggestions for that site? One thing to remember is that the top three links are paid advertisements and so they are only up that high on the page because that company big bucks to be there. The links after the top three are more genuine in terms of being liked by people using the internet. Try using reference tools such as the Yellow Pages online or Yelp, these are good since they can be more genuine in what they say since the references and recommendations are generated by users like yourself.

2) Shop around. Don't just settle for the closest tattoo removal studio because it happens to be down the block; look for the best price while having good results and people you can depend on. You do not have to sacrifice the best quality for the best price nor vice versa. You can have good quality and a good price so you should not act too quickly. Of course, you do not want to take years to decide where to get your tattoo removed. This is why you should do your research. Also, you can try calling the places that really pick your interest and see what they say.

3) Visit the studios. One thing you want in a quality tattoo removal studio is that actually keeps their studio clean. You do not want to go into a laser tattoo removal studio, or a place that does other forms of tattoo removal, that doesn't look like they care about sanitation. If the place shows dirt on things like the walls, floors, furniture in the lobby, then how do you think their rooms are where they do the procedure? Or the instruments themselves? If the place uses laser removal, then the tools are not directly touching your skin but it can still be a risky situation.

4) If you are looking for laser tattoo removal, then try looking for a place that uses the R20 procedure. This is a good procedure to want in a removal studio because it shortens the amount of time that you will have to put aside for the tattoo removal procedure. What I mean by this is that normally, getting a tattoo removed takes at anywhere from 6 months to a year, depending on the size of the tattoo, etc; well with the R20 procedure, the amount of months required is much less than other forms of removal. The reason this is the case is due to the fact that the R20 procedure compounds four sessions into one. The only draw to this is that it's more expensive than other laser tattoo removal. Of course, if you think about how the other forms take longer but are cheaper, you come out paying about the same amount for whatever option you choose.

5) Ask to see evidence. When you have your choices of tattoo removal parlors narrowed down to a couple, check with them to see if they have evidence of their good claims. See that they can actually do the removal correctly and effectively. Videos or real session sit-ins are the best though. Ask for referrals too! If you know someone who has gotten the procedure done, especially if it is from the place you are considering, then ask them if they would recommend it.

Do your research, my friends! This is a big deal and so going in blind is not a good idea. There is no shame in asking questions and showing concern for yourself. This can be a great opportunity for your future. As a laser tattoo removal studio in Chicagoland, we can handle any questions you have, even if you do not wish to get your procedure done with us. We do use the R20 procedure and offer free consultations. Give us a call at 630-586-0000