"It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time"

In the last few years tattoos have become so popular that more than 10 million Americans have at least one. At some point however more than 50% of those people eventually want a tattoo removed. With recent advances in lasers, laser tattoo removal has become the most effective method to erase these unwanted tattoos without scarring.

Skinspirations uses a Q-switched laser with different wavelengths to target a variety of colors. The laser targets tattoo ink in the skin and rapidly heats it, causing the ink to fragment into particles. These particles are then slowly carried away by the body's immune system during the weeks following each treatment.

What to Expect?

An anesthetic cream is applied before the treatment and together with ice packs, make the procedure "stingy" but tolerable. Immediately afterwards a dressing is applied and remains in place for 24 hours.

The area may feel sunburned for a couple of days and the site sometimes forms a crust. Over the following 6 weeks fading of the ink will occur even if it isn't obvious in the first couple of treatments. The number of treatments required for maximum improvement depends on the size, location, depth, age and colors of the tattoo and averages between 5 to 12 sessions. It's difficult to estimate how many sessions will be needed by the look of a tattoo so most people know they'll need more than five. Treatments are done at least 6 weeks apart and each session takes about 10 to 30 minutes.

The colors that can be removed easiest with laser tattoo treatments are black and red, but some improvement can be obtained in most other colors except for yellow and some greens. Some studies have shown improvement in resistant colors when a fractionated laser like our Profractional device is used.

Side effects of laser procedures are generally few but may include hyperpigmentation, or a darkening in the skin at the treatment site, and hypopigmentation, where the treated area becomes lighter than the surrounding normal skin color. Most discolorations will return to normal color over the following months. Other possible side effects include infection of the site, lack of complete pigment removal and a 5 percent chance of permanent scarring.

Prices for laser tattoo removal range from $150 up, depending on size, with discounted packages of 5 treatments available.