Tattoo and Pigment Removal

A "Q" switched laser is used to perform  the treatment. This is a high power laser beam with such precision that it doesn't have any thermal interaction with the tissues. This  means that it produces minimal damage to surrounding tissues internally and targets only the tattoo ink pigments. An added benefit of this is a quicker and less complicated healing time. The Q switched laser has been determined as a gold standard for tattoo removal. It works by producing extremely short pulses of high energy light. This light is then absorbed by the particles of the tattoo pigment but doesn't get absorbed by the surrounding skin. The tattoo pigment then has up and start to break down into small particles. A Q switch laser may also be used to treat pigmented lesions including age spots, freckles, sun spots and some birthmarks, it targets the melanin in the superficial layer of your skin. When the pigmented lesion absorbs the light energy from the Q switch laser it gets converted into heat. 

Tattos, pigmented lesions including age spots, freckles, sun spots, and some birthmarks. 

The laser tattoo removal itself may not be uncomfortable but the discomfort is a normal response during treatment and recovery. The targeted areas will feel tender and sensitive to the touch due to swelling and blistering thereafter. Once these effects subside over the next few days, so will the pain. Immediately after treatment, you will notice frosting on the area where the laser came in contact with the ink. It is caused by the rapid local heating of the skin pigment releasing carbon dioxide on the surface of the skin which resembles white frosting. This signals the first stage of healing and it lasts for only a few minutes. More frosting occurs with dark ink compared to lighter ink. This is accompanied by swelling around the treated areas. Redness, tenderness and swelling usually subside a day or two after treatment. Blisters start forming within 24 hours after treatment and they may appear alarming, but these indicate that your body is healing as is should. Avoid picking on your blisters because they will drain on their own and dry into scabs. The crust will fall off within 10-14 days after treatment granted that the area doesn't get irritated. This area will be bandaged to keep it dry for only a few days following treatment. 

Laser tattoo removal typically does involve some level of pain. That said, many say that it hurts less than that expected. It's a common belief that tattoo removal is excruciating, yet most patients say that the sensation of removal is comparable to having a tattoo applied or like a rubber band snapping against your skin. 

Avoid sun exposure / tanning beds for 2 weeks pre and post. Avoid pain medicine such as Aleve, Aspirin for 3-7 days. Topical numbing cream or local anesthetic may be used and cold compresses may be applied prior to treatment. 

Stay out of the sun, out of pools/lakes/bath water until healed. Apply recovery cream and keep it covered for 5-6 days while healing. You may apply cold compresses post treatment. 

• use sunscreen to protect the treated skin which is particularly sensitive to sunlight flowing treatment.
• don't apply makeup or any potentially irritating products on treated skin while it heals
• avoid shaving treated area unless the skin is healed

Depending on the size of the treated area(s), after numbing (if needed), treatments can take several minutes up to an hour. 

Recommended 6-10 treatments. 

The number of sessions needed to remove a tattoo depends on 3 factors: the age of the tattoo, the color of the ink, and the density of the ink. 

• Age: older tattoos can be removed with fewer treatments than newer tattoos. A black ink tattoo that is 10 - 20 years old may take one to three treatments fewer that a 1 year old black tattoo. 
• Color: Certain colors are more easily removed than others. Black and red tattoos are the easiest to remove. Orange, yellow, pink and other shades are slightly more difficult to remove. The most difficult remove are light green, light blue, and teal/turquoise. 
• Location: Because tattoo removal depends on the body to flus away the shattered ink particles, areas of the body with less circulation often take more time to show results. The toes, fingers, ears and nose are crest that may show slower results. 
• Ink Density: Shading in a tattoos easily removed. Shading will be removed in only few sessions in most cases. 

The sessions are spaced 6-8 weeks apart, which allows your skin to process the treatment. Many people start to see their ink fade slightly after each subsequent session and greater improvement after three appointments. 

In general, it cost more to remove a tattoo than it does to get a tattoo. It depends on the size of your tattoo. Appointments are priced by 30 min sessions if you need to add an extra 10-15 minutes on to your session I can add that time for additional cost. 

There are a handful of symptoms you might see post-treatment sun as blisters, swelling, raising of the tattoo, pinpoint bleeding, redness, temporary darkening, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, and bruising. These are common and usually subside within a couple of weeks. As always you will have to be cleared by my medical professionals before your treatment. 

Depending on the size of the tattoo or if there are multiple. 

$250 per treatment

Packages available with percentage off when purchased up front.