Tattoo Removal
What is Tattoo Removal?
Laser Tattoo Removal is a medical laser treatment to remove unwanted ink from the patients’ skin. In our experience, amateur tattoos fade quicker than those done by professional tattoo artists.
With so much that is unknown about the type of ink, how much was used, or how deep it is, it can be difficult to precisely estimate the number of treatments, many of our patients have had tattoo removal treatments elsewhere with minimal improvement, while we have been able to successfully eliminate them.
At WIFH, we use the RevLite Q-Switched Yag laser, which is the gold standard for tattoo removal. The Q-Switched Yag Laser delivers powerful energy at a rapid speed, breaking up the tattoo ink into tiny particles. The body’s immune system sends in special cells to process these cells and carry them away, fading the tattoo
Some colors are more difficult to remove than others such as blue and green. Tattoos with these colors may require additional treatments for optimal results. Some colors, such as white and pink, simply cannot be removed. They may fade but total elimination isn’t likely. The RevLite Q-Switched Yag laser can be used safely on all skin types and ethnicities.
How Does Tattoo Removal Work?
Preparing for Tattoo Removal
Two weeks before the treatments, it is recommended for those individuals with light skin and colored ink to wear a high SPF sunscreen to prevent tanning or sunburn on or around the tattoo. It is also advised for anyone having tattoo removal to avoid spray tanning 3 weeks before each session.
The day before the treatments, patients will need to shave the treatment area the day before (or day of) each tattoo removal session.
The laser tattoo removal procedure is fairly straight-forward. The procedure will be completed by either Dr Cox or one of our licensed laser practitioners, each with years of laser experience.
Getting laser tattoo removal is not a painless procedure, but the treatments are very fast. We have always described the sensation of laser hair removal like a rubber band snapping the skin.
Most treatment sessions typically last no more than 30 seconds, and larger tattoos take no more than a few minutes to treat. As a rule, tattoos can take between 5 to 15 sessions to remove9. There are many factors that are taken into account in order to determine the number of treatments you will need to remove your tattoo.
What to Expect During Tattoo Removal Procedure
Tattoo Removal Recovery Time
Once a patient’s laser tattoo removal treatment is completed, we will apply aquaphor and a bandage to protect the area. We will also provide patients with an ice pack to apply. Patients should ice the area off and on for the first hour, no more than 3-5 minutes at a time. We will include detailed instructions on how to care for the treated tattoo at home as well.
We believe consultations are very important to help patients understand the laser tattoo removal process. Our consultations give us the opportunity to get to know each patient and understand their needs.
At the consultation patients will meet with a member of our clinical team, and we will assess the tattoo, providing a realistic expectation of the outcome with laser tattoo removal.
Tattoo Removal Consultations
Tattoo Removal Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
To promote healing, patients should limit physical activity and sun exposure for the first 24 hours. If the body gets too overheated, it can cause the tattoo to blister. Showers can be taken but only if they are lukewarm and use mild soap.
The area where the tattoo is located will be cleansed with a baby wipe. We will cool the area with freezing cold air (-4℃) to help numb the area prior to the procedure, making treatment more comfortable. Once the laser begins pulsing, it quickly moves over the ink. Each treatment lasts a matter of minutes, or seconds for small tattoos.
The RevLite Q-Switched Yag laser can be used safely on all skin types and ethnicities.
The best results are achieved removing black ink tattoos on all skin types (very fair to very dark). Tattoos that contain various colored inks are best removed on patients with light skin. For patients with darker skin and tattoos with various colors, the colors will fade substantially but we will NOT be able to remove all the color.
In most situations yes, but not always. We use the ConBio RevLite laser which is the gold standard for tattoo removal. It has 4 wavelengths to remove all colors of ink. Some colors are more difficult to remove such as blue and green and may require additional treatments. Some colors, such as white and pink, cannot be removed.
It would depend on these varying factors. The age of the tattoo, the colors present and the tattoo location are just a few of the factors that determine how many treatments you will need.
Depending on your skin type, you can expect to return for subsequent visits every 6-8 weeks.
Days following laser tattoo removal treatments, it is not uncommon for the tattooed skin to exhibit tissue or skin reactions that can cause itching and irritation. The reactions could be different each time, this is okay and normal. Some normal skin reactions include:
- The treatment site appears unchanged or appears brighter.
- The area appears white, pink, or red.
- The treatment site has pinpoint bleeding, blistering or red, yellow, or clear discharge and swelling.