Writer Radka Třeštíková undergoes tattoo removal

Tattoos are a popular way to express your personality or stories or memories. Sometimes, however, the work may not quite come off or may simply fall out of favour. Fortunately, modern laser technology exists to remove unwanted tattoos safely and effectively. It gradually fades without leaving scars. Even celebrities are now undergoing the procedure at MEDICOM Clinic. One of them is the writer Radka Třeštíková, who shared her experience.

How did the tattoo you are having removed come about and what does it mean to you?

I decided to remove the wings tattooed on my ankle. It's a tattoo I've had for almost twenty years and at the time the tattoo artist didn't do as well as I imagined. So a few years ago I had it redrawn. It's just that whatever you redraw, it turns completely black. At the ankle, it looked like a big blob. I enjoyed it for about a year, then it started to bother me.

What motivated your decision?

Mostly that I wanted to see how my skin would react to the laser. To what extent the tattoo would lighten or disappear completely. To see if I can happily add new tattoos that I can happily erase.

How many treatments have been tentatively recommended by the doctor?

The doctor explained to me right away that it could take up to a year, and it can't be sped up because of the healing process.

How long does the treatment itself take?

It depends on the size of the tattoo. For me it was a few minutes, but you have to reckon that it takes some time for the numbing ointment to take effect, which makes the treatment more bearable.

Are you already seeing the first results?

I only managed one treatment out of about six planned before the summer, when it is not possible to laser the skin. But already the tattoo is much lighter than it was. In some areas, the colour has even disappeared completely.

How do you take care of the treated area after healing?

It depends on where the tattoo is located. The skin around the ankle is thin, and just as the tattoo itself was harder to heal there, the removal of the tattoo is slower to heal. Plus, it's in a place where my shoes rub, which makes healing a little more difficult. Laser-treated tattoos need to be taken care of - lubricated with SPF 50 cream and exposed to the sun as little as possible.

On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being painless and 10 being very painful, what number do you give?

I generally respond well to pain and my pain threshold is high, so while I consider the treatment itself painful, it's still a pain that can be breathed. Of course, without the numbing ointment it would be much worse. Feeling it is comparable to getting a sunburn. Other treatments should be more comfortable.

Was there anything that surprised you?

For me, the surprise was the length of healing. I thought I'd go again in a month and in no time the whole tattoo would be gone. But this is the kind of thing where you have to be patient and accept the fact that it's not going to get any faster.

Fall and winter could be called "laser season". If you too are considering removing an unwanted tattoo, now is the perfect time. The treated area heals more easily during these months and there is no risk of pigmentation due to sunlight. In addition, in most cases you can simply hide it under your clothes. See how the tattoo of a satisfied client looks after complete removal.