LASER TATTOO REMOVAL

We limit our treatments to a maximum size of 4 X 4 inches or a total surface area enclosing the tattoo of no more than 16 square inches.

All final pricing will be quoted after seeing the tattoo area and the ink that needs to be removed.

How does laser tattoo removal work?
Laser energy is directed at the tattooed area for a fraction of a second, passing harmlessly through the outer layer of the skin and targeting the tattoo ink directly. The laser disrupts the ink, allowing your body to absorb it and break it down naturally. Laser tattoo removal is the newest advanced laser technology.The process is not immediate. After the treatment, the ink that was exposed to the laser will break down and be removed by your body's immune system over a period of weeks.

Once that process is complete, you can come in for your next visit, repeating the process until the tattoo is gone. Many tattoos average 5 to 8 treatments for full removal—some can be gone after four sessions, and some take longer (they can take 12-14 for stubborn ink) and rarely, some of these may be completely gone after just a few visits for some inks. Visits are usually spaced about 6-8 weeks apart.

One variance often is whether the tattoo is done by an amateur or a professional, also some ink colors are harder to target and require more sessions than other colors. Since it is your body’s immune system that ultimately breaks down and adsorbs the ink, every person's removal process will be different.

Tattoos on distal body parts (i.e., ankle, foot or finger) often are slower going away than those on the trunk (i.e., chest, abdomen, or back). Unfortunately, most patients do not know the type of ink components used for their tattoo.  It is common to have some itching after laser treatments and that usually is a sign of the immune system working on the ink.

Does it hurt?
Laser tattoo removal is a low-risk, outpatient procedure. The discomfort of the procedure is tolerable (a 3 to 6 on a 10 scale of pain usually), and has been described as similar to a hot rubber-band snapping on the skin.  Prior to your treatment, we often numb the area with a topical anesthetic cream mixture if you so desire (but this takes an extra 30 to 45 minutes, so must be pre-planned, or you can buy some anesthetic to take home). As we treat the area, we may cool the overlying skin with our cooling devices, resulting in additional anesthesia. Generally, there is only minimal discomfort after 10-15 minutes. 

Can my tattoo be removed?
Every tattoo is different, so no laser available today can guarantee 100% success or zero skin discoloration. Our office uses the most advanced technology available to achieve the highest success rates around for tattoo removal, and most all tattoos of certain colors can be at least significantly reduced in their appearance. The newest technology keeps scarring risk to a minimum, but there always remains a theoretical possibility of scarring with any laser system. The laser tries to provide maximum tattoo ink removal while trying to leave the surrounding skin unharmed.

We cannot treat tattoos on skin types V and VI (black and African-American type ethnic skin because of laser risks and we cannot treat some colors on skin type IV (some darker ethnic Asian, Middle Eastern or Latino, etc.) without risk of hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation.

We do not treat cosmetic tattoos (eyebrows, lips, etc.)  We will usually not be able to treat white tattoo inks.  Yellow is very stubborn for all laser tattoo removal systems, and there is no ideal laser for yellow ink, though I have seen it slowly lighten and fade.

    
Tattoo Before and Tattoo After Laser Removal.

Note: Our office does not remove cosmetic tattoos. This includes lips, eyebrows, eyeliners, etc.