Laser Tattoo Removal Q-Switched

Laser tattoo removal effectively reduces the appearance of tattoo ink without causing lasting effects to the surrounding skin. The procedure results in minimal damage and virtually no side effects compared to traditional methods.

Lasers remove tattoos by breaking up the pigment colors with a high-intensity light beam. Black tattoo pigment absorbs all laser wavelengths, making it the easiest color to treat. Other colors can only be treated by selected lasers based upon the pigment color.

The average tattoo will require anywhere between 6 to 12 treatments. Since these treatments are completed 4-8 weeks apart; it could take up to a year before some patients realize complete removal.

For a medium tattoo of 10 square centimeters, expect the session to last 10 to 15 minutes. Larger tattoos can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour or slightly longer.

Laser tattoo removal typically does involve some level of pain. That said, many say that it hurts less than they expected. It's a common belief that tattoo removal is excruciating, yet most patients say that the sensation of removal is comparable to having a tattoo applied. A local anesthetic can be used to help minimize the discomfort.

Laser tattoo removal does not come with extensive downtime. While each treatment may lead to minor swelling and redness, the downtime is typically less than five days. This is great news if you lead a busy lifestyle and cannot take much time off due to work and/or family obligations.

Thanks to newer technology, treatment of tattoos with laser systems has become much more effective, with very little risk of scarring (again, assuming you use a reputable provider). Laser treatment is often safer than many methods used previously, such as excision or dermabrasion.

There are minimal side effects to laser tattoo removal. However, you should consider the following factors in your decision: The tattoo site can become infection. There is a slight chance the treatment can leave a permanent scar. Some degree of skin discoloration is possible. Cosmetic tattoos, such as lip liner, eyeliner and eyebrows may get darker after initial treatment.

Laser Tattoo Removal is safe for most people; it's very rare we cannot treat someone. However, like all laser treatments, there are some contraindications and precautions that are taken into consideration. Pregnant women and people who take medication are known to increase sensitivity to sunlight. Also, we do not perform laser treatments on anyone who has used Accutane in the last 6 months.