FAQs
How does tattoo removal work?
When you’re getting a tattoo, the ink is put into the skin cells. The tattoo removal laser removes the ink by delivering a pulse of energy that breaks down the ink in the skin cells, and your body does the rest. That’s why lightening occurs over time, because your body’s immune system and lymphatics work to break down the ink.
How long does a tattoo removal session take?
Depending on the size and density of the tattoo, treatment may take anywhere from two to thirty minutes.
Are certain colors more difficult to remove?
With our Ruby red enlighten™ laser every color is removed with equal efficiency. Saturation of colors and how the tattoo was originally applied, however, can cause a requirement for more treatments.
Would anyone not be a good candidate for tattoo removal?
People who have a history of hyper-sensitive skin, scarring, infections (such as impetigo), or those who are prone to cold sores, may not be a good candidate for laser treatments. Additionally, people with darker skin (either naturally or from UV-exposure), may also not be a good candidate. Women who are pregnant should not receive laser treatments.
What can I expect after a single treatment?
You should notice significant fading, but complete tattoo removal after one session is not common. We usually recommend one to three treatments for lightening and three to six treatments for complete removal.
Is there a waiting period between treatments?
After your first treatment, your skin will appear fully healed within a matter of days. However, the immune response that works on removing the ink works for a period of six to eight weeks. Therefore, we recommend waiting six weeks in-between treatments.
You’re not just a client. Know that when you decide to have your tattoo removed by us, we commit ourselves to your care. Your treatment is not done when you leave our office, we will follow up with you throughout the healing process to ensure that you’re recovering as expected.
I’ve seen tattoo removal methods that don’t require a laser and that I can do at home. Why can’t I just do it that way?
Many self-removal processes treat the entire area of the tattooed skin at the same time, leading to fading or removal over time, but rarely do they completely remove the tattoo, and they often lead to scarring of the area.
Are treatments painful?
Laser tattoo removal can be quite uncomfortable depending on the amount of ink that was used in creating the tattoo (colored tattoos have more ink). We use a variety of numbing methods to make your tattoo removal experience as comfortable as possible. Cooling packs help control the pain and protect the surface of your skin from injury. Most clients will experience some discomfort and breaks may be taken during your session to aid in your comfort. Every client experiences a ‘test spot’ before starting the procedure.
What should I expect after treatment?
The experience after removal treatment can be similar to that of receiving a tattoo. Some common experiences include:
- Developing a white or chalky-colored patch on the skin for about 20 minutes after treatment.
- Mild swelling and redness of the skin, which usually resolves within a few hours.
- Mild blistering or bleeding.
- Drying, flaking and/or itching for a few weeks following treatment.
How should I care for the treated area?
After treatment we will dress the treated area and give after care instructions which typically includes our phone number and instructions to call for any questions or concerns you may have until your next appointment.