If you’re the not-so-proud owner of some regrettable ink, fear not—tattoo removal has come a long way over the years. With today’s technology and the state-of-the-art PicoWay laser, we can safely and effectively remove tattoos of all shapes, sizes, AND colors. And the results are better than you are probably imagining! Life might be the canvas and you the paintbrush, but fortunately, you don’t have to live with a permanent reminder of the past anymore. There are numerous reasons for wanting to remove a tattoo, and we promise not to judge. Just schedule an appointment and let us help you remove that design that no longer represents who you are.
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In addition to treating spider veins, unwanted hair, and skin discoloration, laser treatments can also help remove tattoos. While tattoos were previously thought of as permanent, the development of laser treatment technology has made the complete removal of tattoos possible—big or small, and in just about every color. We have the gold standard of machines for laser tattoo removal, the PicoWay, which can be adjusted to target colors across the spectrum. We have seen countless patients seeking to remove an unwanted tattoo, and through this procedure, many of them have gained confidence and freedom from something that no longer represents who they are.
So how does it work? Lasers target specific wavelengths of pigment in the skin. When the laser is passed over the treatment site, a burst of energy is released in a fraction of a second. The energy targets the dye in the tattoo, effectively breaking it down so that the body can metabolize the shattered molecules of ink and remove them naturally. It may take several sessions to to remove a tattoo completely, but in the end, it will look like it was never there in the first place.
If you have an unwanted tattoo, you are a candidate for this procedure. In fact, laser tattoo removal is the safest and most effective option (compared to other methods such as chemical peels, dermabrasion, and diathermy).
There are two main questions when it comes to laser tattoo removal. First, does it work? And second, is it safe? Yes, laser tattoo removal works; it is possible to remove the pigment through laser treatments completely. As for its safety, laser tattoo removal is a completely safe and effective way to treat unwanted tattoos. We will evaluate the tattoo during your consultation and recommend a treatment plan. Be assured that we would never recommend the treatment of a risky tattoo. The PicoWay laser we use is the safest and most effective tattoo removal laser on the market. It carries the lowest risk of burning, scarring, and pigmentation issues in the skin.
Tattoo removal is a process involving multiple treatment sessions. Each laser tattoo removal session will remove approximately half of the existing tattoo pigment. This means that the most significant change in tattoo appearance occurs within the first two to three sessions. You can expect a gradual reduction in tattoo color within a month of each treatment.
At each appointment, we will clean the treatment area and apply topical numbing cream. Once the area is numb, we will begin the laser treatment. Generally, this part of the appointment will be over quickly, but it depends on the tattoo size, of course. Following the laser treatment, we will apply an ointment and cover the treatment site with a bandage.
While laser tattoo removal can be uncomfortable, it typically is not so painful that it requires an anesthetic injection or sedation. However, we will cover the tattoo with a topical anesthetic cream to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. If you need additional numbing, we offer additional measures such as injectable lidocaine or Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas). Most people report that the pain is no greater than getting the tattoo to begin with. So if you made it through the tattooing process, you could take comfort in knowing that you will be just fine through its removal.
Your healing time will depend upon the size of the tattoo, but you should see the treatment site fully recovered in approximately 1-2 weeks. It is important to keep the area protected so it can heal properly to achieve the best results. Proper care will help to avoid any laser tattoo removal scars. We typically schedule repeat sessions eight weeks apart to ensure that the area is completely healed.
After completing the recommended number of sessions for your tattoo, you can expect to be free of any visible ink or residual tattoo “shadowing.” In other words, your skin will show no signs of a tattoo.
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Dr. Rice received his medical degree from Loma Linda University in Southern California where he also completed an internship in general surgery and specialty surgical training in Otolaryngology—head and neck surgery. Dr. Rice went on to complete advanced training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Institute of Facial Plastic Surgery. He is double board-certified…
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