"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. Many people also decide to remove part of an old tattoo so that they can replace it with a new one. 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.

Before and after 5 Laser Tattoo Treatments, Photo by C. Elliott, M.D.

"Words cannot express my heart's gratitude for helping my son & myself get through his "tattoo dilemma". From the first phone call to the experience with Nurse Rick, was a lesson learned with the love, professionalism & kindness shown by each of you. Dr. Elliott, you're the best too. You have a wonderful staff."  Kiersten Castellano

What to Expect?

Either cream anesthetic is applied or anesthetic injections are performed before the treatment according to patient preference to  make the procedure almost painless. With very small tattoos the laser treatment itself may take only a few seconds. 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 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 is impossible to predict before starting and depends on the size, location, depth, age and colors of the tattoo. Most professional tattoos  require anywhere from 5 - 15 sessions with an average of about 10.  Treatments are done 8 weeks apart.

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 include anesthetic and start at $150, depending on the size, with 15% discounts on treatment packages available.