Tattoo Removal: It’s Never Been Easier

Your mom may have warned you that a tattoo lasts forever and that you should be absolutely sure that you want to put something on your skin forever. But she was wrong.

Advances in medical laser technology have made tattoo removal easier and more effective than ever before. So whether your tattoo has faded or stretched over the years, or that spring break tattoo that you and your friends got just doesn’t mean the same thing to you now that it did when you were 21, you don’t have to spend the rest of your life with a tattoo that might as well spell regret in a fancy script.

What is laser tattoo removal?

When you got your tattoo, your artist used a special tool to inject ink into your skin. Typically, when your body is injured, your immune system responds to remove any foreign substances and heal your body. But the ink particles that make up your tattoo are too big for your white blood cells to remove from your body.

Laser tattoo removal uses light energy to break up those particles into smaller pieces so your lymphatic system can flush them out with other waste products. Anwar Gerges, MD, and his team at KeyLife Med Spa use PicoSure®, an innovative medical aesthetic laser designed by CynoSure® for tattoo removal.

The PicoSure equipment uses PressureWave™ technology to deliver a unique wavelength of light into your skin. The wavelength is rapid and breaks the ink into tiny particles that your body is able to eliminate.

What should I expect during tattoo removal?

Your tattoo removal experience is customized to meet your needs. Dr. Gerges and his team provide a tattoo removal consultation before they start the process. They examine your tattoo and consider other factors including your skin tone and the size and location of the tattoo to estimate how many tattoo removal treatments you need to get rid of your tattoo. In most cases, appointments are every six to eight weeks.

In general, most patients say that the tattoo removal process feels similar to getting the tattoo in the first place. Some patients find the tattoo removal process more tolerable than others. You can request a numbing agent if you have sensitive skin or a low pain threshold. Your skin may be pink or tender for a short time after each appointment.

Laser tattoo removal works by breaking the ink into tiny particles that your lymphatic system can eliminate. This means that your results become more apparent in the weeks following each treatment, as your body needs time to process and remove the ink.

Do I need to do anything special to take care of my skin while having tattoo removal?

You need to keep your skin clean and dry. You can use vitamin E oil to keep your skin moist and reduce your risk of scarring. You should also avoid rubbing the area or dislodging any scabs or blisters that form following the treatment.

Other tips to maximize the effectiveness of your tattoo removal treatments include:

• Not taking baths, swimming, or using a hot tub to soak your skin
• Not shaving
• Avoiding tanning, both in the sun and with products
• Avoiding antibiotics

You can use cold compresses or an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory to relieve any redness or discomfort following treatment.

Will my skin look brand new when my treatment is over?

Dr. Gerges and his team offer state-of-the-art treatments that have incredibly high success rates, but your skin may not look like it was never tattooed at all. You may have a slight shadow or pinkness, but in most cases, you’ll only know it’s there because you’ve been through the process. Your friends, family, and strangers will never know you once had a tattoo.

If you have a tattoo that you don’t love anymore or that has faded and want to learn more about laser tattoo removal services, call or use this website to schedule a consultation with KeyLife Med Spa today.