Audience Assessment:
Specific Goal: My audience will understand the history of tattoo removal as well as how modern day laser tattoo removal works and the best candidate for laser tattoo removal.
Topic: Strategy: Explanation. Narrowed: (1) History of tattoo removal; (2) How laser tattoo removal works; (3) Laser tattoo removal results
Ethos: Primary: I am an Aesthetician and work for Dr. Mark Taylor. Tattoo removal is one of the most common laser treatments we perform on a daily basis at the Gateway Aesthetic Institute. Secondary: I cite multiple references plus photos and a video of the procedure being done (if time allows).
Audience Assessment: A selection of my audience …show more content…
most likely has had a tattoo or known someone with a tattoo that they no longer want. I will further educate my audience on the tattoo removal process and who the best candidate for the procedure is.
Adaptation to Audience: Many audience members either have tattoos or have considered getting a tattoo, but what they aren’t aware of is the process of getting a tattoo removed. I will be using pictures as well as information from the dermatologist I work with to educate the audience of what they can expect from the tattoo removal process.
Opening Strategy (hook): Informative
Key Word Outline:
Laser Tattoo Removal
Introduction
Hook: It may have seemed like a good idea initially, but years, months or even maybe only a few hours later the regret is settling in and you are asking yourself “what was I thinking, getting a tattoo?” Maybe it’s the placement you are unhappy with, or possible the color or image, whatever it may be causing you to rethink your “brilliant” idea, you aren’t alone. According to WebMD it is estimated that close to 10% of the U.S. population has some sort of tattoo, and eventually as many as 50% of them want it removed. Lucky for that 50% of people, with the new laser tattoo removal techniques, doctors are able to help people of all ages rid themselves of something that they no longer want on their bodies. I will now explain the history, process and side effects and results of laser tattoo removal.
Thesis: Most of us know the process of getting a tattoo, but what we aren’t as familiar with is the process of getting a tattoo removed. I will explain the history, process and side effects and results of laser tattoo removal.
Preview:
• How tattoos were removed before laser tattoo removal was invented
• How does laser tattoo removal work
• What are the side effects and results of tattoo removal
Transition: To explore the long history of tattoo removal, I spoke with dermatologist Dr.
Mark Taylor at the Gateway Aesthetic Institute.
Body: I. Dr. Mark Taylor says that tattoo removal dates back to ancient Egyptian times; however in modern society, up until the last decade, tattoo removal was often painful and left unsightly scarring. A. The following tattoo removal processes took place before laser tattoo removal came around.
1. Cutting out the skin containing the tattoo ink- which sometimes is still done if the tattoo can not be treated with the laser.
2. Dermabrasion & Salabrasion- sanding/sanding & salting of the skin- Historically this is the most common way to remove a tattoo. The idea being to traumatize the skin and then applying irritants to draw out the tattoo ink.- A rapidly spinning diamond fraise wheel or a wire brush
3. Laser vaporization-burning out the skin
4. Chemical peels
B. Side affects of tattoo removal without a laser
1. Dermabrasion has a high risk of scarring and loss of normal skin pigment- Severely painful
2. Risk of infection
3. All methods are very
painful
Transition: Now let’s explore laser tattoo removal. Laser tattoo removal was initially performed with continuous wave length when it was first released on the market. It was then switched to a Q-Switched Laser (what is currently used), which became available in the 90’s.
II. How does the laser actually remove tattoos
A. The website howstuffworks.com summarizes how the laser tattoo removal process works in simple terms. The article describes that the laser works by producing short pulses of intense light that pass harmlessly through the top layers of the skin to be selectively absorbed by the tattoo pigment.
1. Laser Energy causes the tattoo pigment to fragment into smaller particles
2. The particles are later cleaned up by the body’s natural immune process
3. Only pigment from the tattoo is targeted with the laser- The skin surrounding the tattoo is unharmed
4. On average, most tattoos can be removed in 5-15 clinic visits
B. Although it’s called tattoo removal, completely removing a tattoo can be difficult. If you’ve placed that sweet verse of poetry on your neck or chest in black or red ink, you’re in luck. But the itty-bitty tweedy-bird tattoo on your foot or wrist in certain shades of green, purple or blue will be much more stubborn.
1. Varies with the type of tattoo, the color of the ink, the density of the pigment, the size and depth of the tattoo, and the body’s reaction to the treatment.
2. Black ink is typically the easiest color to treat. Multi-colored tattoos, especially those with yellow and other unusual colors may be difficult to completely remove
3. Tattoos closer to the heart with increased blood supply, respond more quickly to treatment
4. If you are on the fence about saying so long to your ex-wives name on your shoulder blade, it may benefit you to wait a little longer. According to dermatologist Dr. Will Kirby and also guest star on LA Ink says, older tattoo’s are easier to remove than brand-new ones. “Some people get a tattoo at 10 in the morning and they want it removed by 11, but you’ve got to wait at least six weeks before your first laser treatment.”
Transition: Now that we are familiar with how laser tattoo removal works, let’s discuss the million dollar question, “does it hurt”, as well as the pos-treatment considerations.
III. Does laser tattoo removal hurt?
A. According to Dr. Mark Taylor, the impact of the energy from the laser’s powerful pulse of light has been described as similar to getting hot specks of bacon greased on your skin or being snapped by a thin rubber band. The rapid pulses generated from the laser may feel different to each patient. “The unfortunate thing about tattoos is that both getting them and having them taken off can be uncomfortable.”
B. To further decrease the pain, the physicians recommend one of the following options:
1. Topical anesthetic cream applied to the area an hour before treatment
2. Local anesthetic injected into the tattoo prior to treatment
C. What happens after laser removal is performed
1. Immediately following treatment, the tattoo will have a whitish appearance, develop some swelling, blistering, and may have pinpoint bleeding
2. Antibiotic ointment and a bandage are applied
3. The treated area will take about two weeks to heal and will begin to fade
4. You can look forward getting the painful procedure done again in 4-8 weeks
D. Typically the only real side effect’s to laser tattoo removal is incomplete removal of the tattoo as well as the high expense of the treatment
Conclusion:
You may now be asking yourself is getting a tattoo worth the money and hassle? It’s really up to you. Some people really enjoy their tattoos and keep them for life, whereas others might regret that they acted on impulse and didn’t think enough about it before they got one. Now you that you have an understanding of the tattoo removal process you may be able to make a more thought out decision, or in the case of you already having a tattoo you now know what goes in to getting it off!
References:
“Laser Tattoo Removal.” WebMD. 12 June 2012.