People like to get tattoos when they are younger and sometimes do so for stupid reasons. Often, after ten years of so of having a tattoo, the person may decide they don’t want it any more. There are many reasons that a person may want to have a tattoo removed. Perhaps they have a named of an old lover tattooed on them, or they have a gang tattoo that there are no longer associated with. Some people have tattoos in places that will prevent them from getting a job they want. Some people might also have a tattoo that symbolizes hate or racism, and they no longer feel this way. Whatever the reason is, there are methods of tattoo removal out there.
Laser tattoo removal is one option for people considering the removal of a tattoo which is the most common method of tattoo removal. Laser removal involves targeting the tattooed area with pulses of concentrated light that will in turn break the ink fragments up into tiny particles which are then removed by you’re immune system. This process does not happen after one session, however, and the more treatment you have, the more likely the laser will destroy the ink. However, the more treatments you have also means heightened damage done to your skin. Excess treatments can lead to blistering of the skin, painful sores on your skin, scabs and even scarring.
Since technology has advanced so much, the risks of skin damage have become minimal and many experts say it is very rare for scaring to occur. However, there is always some risk involved. Laser tattoo removal can be quite painful, as some people have described it as feeling like being splattered with hot grease. Laser tattoo removal can also hurt your wallet though. Depending on the size and detail of your tattoo, you might need to have up to ten sessions in order to fully remove all of the ink. Each session costs in the range of $250 to $850.
There are many other options for you to consider before you decide if laser tattoo removal is right for you. No method is 100% effective and guaranteed, but many will get you the results that will satisfy you. Laser removal is one of the best treatments for removing a tattoo, but remember, if you have a large colorful tattoo, you may spend thousands of dollars on treatment and it will not even be fully removed.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) offers special discounts only, not insurance coverage because laser tatoo removal is a cosmetic procedure. Cosmetic Surgery Blue is BCBSNC’s information and discount resource for cosmetic surgery. Through this program, eligible BCBSNC members can receive a discount on cosmetic surgery procedures at participating Cosmetic Surgery Blue network physicians across North Carolina. Cosmetic Surgery Blue also provides a convenient online resource that gives you easy access to information about cosmetic surgery.
Cosmetic Surgery Blue is designed to discount services that are not typically covered by insurance. Examples of these types of services include rhinoplasty, facelifts and liposuction. Members will receive a 15% flat rate discount on the physician’s regular surgical fees. Since cosmetic surgery charges are typically divided into three parts (surgery, anesthesia and facility), your discount will apply to the surgery portion only. If you have further questions on what is and is not covered, consult your participating Cosmetic Surgery Blue physician.
Choosing to have cosmetic surgery is a decision that requires careful thought and preparation. If you have your initial consultation but ultimately decide not to have the procedure, your Cosmetic Surgery Blue 15% discount will still apply to the initial consultation fee. Even better, if you do decide to have the procedure, the entire initial consultation fee is applied toward the total cost of your surgery. Either way, you save money.
In order to be participate, Cosmetic Surgery Blue network physicians must have the following qualifications:
- Must be a credentialed BCBSNC plastic surgeon
- Must be a member of one of the following two leading plastic surgery organizations:
- The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
- The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
- If the Cosmetic Surgery Blue participating physician has a surgical suite within their office, it must be licensed or accredited by one of the following:
- The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)
- The merican Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF)
- The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
- The State Licensure for North Carolina Ambulatory Surgical Facilities