What Should I Expect From The Treatment
This cutting-edge treatment is much more gentle on your body than previous tattoo removal techniques. When you opt for PiQo4 laser treatment, you are getting the best technology available, and your experience and recovery time will both be drastically improved. Each treatment will take roughly 20 minutes or less, and there is virtually no recovery time after you leave the treatment room. You can immediately go back to your normal life.
Some patients do report that the treated area is slightly red and warm to the touch after treatment, but that certainly does not last for longer than an hour or two. If you experience a slight amount of redness, simply put a cool ice pack on the area and rest. You should be feeling back to your old self within a matter of hours. If the redness persists, or you experience any additional uncomfortable symptoms, do not hesitate to reach out to our staff. We can walk you through whatever you need.
What Is Laser Tattoo Removal And How Does It Work
Laser tattoo removal is a process in which a licensed individual uses a machine known as a q-switch or ultra-short pulse laser to break up the ink that forms an unwanted tattoo. The ink particles in question are usually large enough that they cant be broken down by the bodys white blood cells, but the laser can rapidly heat the ink particles to the point that they fragment and can be flushed out by the body.
Anyone operating a laser for tattoo removal purposes must be appropriately licensed for both the possession and operation of the device. The licensing requirements can vary depending on the state or territory youre in, but as an example, Queensland based removalists must have observed the advice of a knowledgeable medical practitioner before beginning removing any tattoos. The medical practitioner in question must also be supervising the clients treatment.
The process isnt instant, and may require multiple sessions spaced out over the course of months, depending on the size of the tattoo, its location on your body, the method used and your skin tone. The laser removal process can cause redness, swelling, and blistering, which can be painful and can take as long as a month to heal.
What Are Some Other Options For Dealing With My Unwanted Tattoo
If laser removal is a path youd rather not take, there are other options for dealing with unwanted tattoos that you may find are better-suited to you, based on your personal circumstances.
Depending on the size and style of the tattoo, you may be able to cover it with a new tattoo. According to tattoo removal specialists, Think Again, this works best for smaller, coloured tattoos, as cover-ups generally need to be both larger and darker than the original tattoo in order to effectively hide them. This means that if your unwanted tattoo is large and comprised of dark tones, it may not be a suitable candidate for a cover-up. This is where laser removal techniques could help, as they can be used to lighten the original tattoo to a point where covering it up becomes feasible.
However, if youre not interested in replacing the original tattoo with a better one and just want it covered, you could consider having it blacked out, which simply involves going over the entire tattoo with black ink to completely cover it.
Another perhaps more extreme option suggested by plastic surgery practice, Artiste, is getting a skin graft. This involves taking a patch of skin from somewhere else on your body and attaching it to cover the tattoo. If all goes to plan, after the wound has healed, which can take around seven days, the new skin will have covered the layers of skin holding the ink. However, Artiste says that there will still be discoloration on the skin for up to a year.
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Learn How Much Tattoo Removal Typically Costs Based On Factors Like Size
Tattoo removal cost is a big consideration for most people who are tired of seeing their outdated body art in the mirror. As you look at that old tattoo from the summer before college, you may find yourself wondering how much it costs to get a tattoo removed.
Most people have to weigh the price of tattoo removal against their important reasons for removing the tattoo. An old tattoo can act as a constant reminder of a certain chapter of your life, like a past relationship. Or, you may be starting a new job that has strict requirements for body art. Or, maybe you just wish youd chosen an artist more carefully instead of strolling into the closest tattoo studio with your high school buddies.
What Factors Influence The Price Of Tattoo Removal
- Number of treatments: The more tattoo removal sessions you need, the more money youll end up paying in the long run. Typically, six treatments are required to erase the tattoo. The number of treatments depends on the color of your tattoo and the intricacy of the design.
- Your Kirby-Desai scale: This rates your tattoo based on various characteristics, including the tattoos coloration and the amount of scarring around it. The removal will be more expensive if your Kirby-Desai Scale score is greater.
- Your Tattoo Size: Larger tattoos are typically more expensive to remove. However, tattoo size is not the sole determining factor. It may be cheaper to remove a bigger all-black tattoo than a tinier multi-colored one.
- Your skin type: Your outcomes would be better, more cost-effective, and faster if you have fairer skin and a dark or black tattoo. Other factors like scarring also play a role.
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How Long Does It Take To Remove A Small Tattoo
Removing a tattoo generally takes about a year to two years. The size doesnt affect the total time of the process. You have to go over the whole thing, whether its big or small, and your body has to absorb in phases, says Carmen. The laser technician treats the area, your body absorbs the ink, and then you wait at least six weeks for the next session. Its the same process, regardless of size.
Each session only takes a few minutes for any size of tattoosometimes less for small ones. Even for large ones, clients are usually in and out in 15 minutes.
Payment Plans For Tattoo Removal
At EradiTatt, you can purchase several sessions as part of a package, and save money on your laser tattoo removal costs. Again, this depends on the size, location, age, and color of the tattoo, but savings on our smallest sessions start at about 15% off when you buy a package of 4.
Of course, its impossible to know how many laser tattoo removal sessions you will need without seeing the art, which is why we offer FREE Consultations at all of our Florida locations Tampa, Bradenton/Sarasota, Palm Harbor, and Clearwater. This free consultation is the perfect opportunity to determine your tattoo removal cost and schedule your first session.
Book yours nowand start the process to clear, unmarked skin, with Eraditatt.
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How Much Do Tattoos Cost To Remove
As with most laser skincare services, tattoo removal cost can vary wildly starting at £40 per session and going up to £400 per session. Tattoo removal tends to be cheaper in out-of-town beauty salons with less specialised beauticians using more dated technology, and more expensive at top-end, city-centre dermatologists offices with more advanced technology.
When a laser passes over your tattoo, each flash of light shatters the ink into tiny particles. Your immune system then sweeps away the debris and flushes them out of your body. However, not all lasers are created equal. How quickly it flashes and how much energy is transferred determines how effectively the tattoo is broken down and how damaged the surrounding skin is.
The more advanced the laser, the quicker, safer and more effective the tattoo removal process will be. Three types of lasers are typically used for tattoo removal: q-switch nanosecond lasers, picosecond lasers, and more recently, Lightsense lasers our unique patented technology derived from Princeton University, only available at NAAMA Studios:
Not only are older models painful and damaging to skin, but they tend to be less effective on colourful tattoo inks. Our next-generation laser technology utilises different settings depending on the colour spectrum of your tattoo, providing effective removal across all ink types. Plus, the precision power of our laser means we can target and treat even the most intricate of tattoos.
What Should You Expect After A Laser Tattoo Removal Treatment
After your first laser treatment, your tattoo should appear slightly faded. More often than not, the surrounding skin will swell, itch, appear red, and possibly blister.
Immediately after treatment, there should be a slight frosting on the area that is treated, says Dr. Mark A. Blair, a Phoenix dermatologic surgeon, in a RealSelf Q& A about aftercare. Redness and swelling at the treatment site can occur and may last up to two hours or longer. Pinpoint bleeding may also occur.
Small blisters in the treatment area are also not an uncommon reaction during the healing process, according to Dr. Green.
An occlusive ointment will be applied to the treated area and covered with a bandage. To speed healing, the ointment should be applied a few times a day for several days.
To reduce the chance of hyperpigmentation, avoid sun exposure while the skin heals.
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How Many Sessions Does It Take To Remove A Small Tattoo
Due to the factors mentioned above, the exact number of sessions to remove smaller tattoos will vary. However, it usually takes 8 to 12 sessions to remove a small or average-sized tattoo. As mentioned above, the colors of the ink and the age of the tattoo influence how long removal will take.
The length of the process itself depends on saturation rather than size. Whether the client has a full sleeve tattoo or a tiny heart, size doesnt affect how quickly the ink is removed, she explainsalthough many large tattoos include more colors, which could make the process take longer in some cases. Many small tattoos are composed of a simple design done in black ink, which tends to be flushed out of the body faster than lighter colors like yellow and lime green.
What You Should Know About Tattoo Removal
Maybe you got your tattoo the day you turned eighteen. Maybe you were a rebel and got it before that. But now youre a 30-year-old man and youre wondering why you have a Tasmanian devil on your left calf. You could try to laugh about it, but some tattoos are so prominentor get so much commentary from other peoplethat you want the thing gone. Question is, can you fully erase a tattoo? How long will it take, how much will it hurt, and how do you avoid becoming a horror story like the tattoo removal cream burned off the skin? If youre thinking about making your ink disappear, here are the facts you need first.
THERES NO HOME REMEDY
There are creams, balms, and magical potions that promise to lighten or erase a tattoo. Dont bother. There are no real scientific studies or research behind these claims. Laser is the safest, most effective, FDA approved method to remove unwanted tattoos.
NOT ALL LASERS ARE CREATED EQUAL
Your only option is a laser, but there are different types. Nanosecond aka Q-Switch lasers have been used for many yearsthey deliver pulses of light in nanoseconds. But now there are lasers that deliver light energy even faster , which allows 30-40% more ink clearance such as the Enlighten Laser currently employed by Newhope Laser Skin Care.
BLACK & GREY VS COLORS INK
IT WILL ONLY HURT FOR A SECOND.
Heres how one patient describes treatment.
DONT MIND THE SMELL OF BURNING HAIR.
FOR ONCE, HAVING PASTY SKIN COULD BE A GOOD THING.
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If The Tattoo Already Features Scarring Expect That To Remain
What many people don’t know is that any scarring that remains after a tattoo removal procedure is often left over from when the tattoo was originally applied by the tattoo artist.
When the proper laser protocols and patient aftercare are utilized, it’s very uncommon for a patient to scar from a Q-switched laser treatment. However, it is very common for a tattoo to feature pre-existing scarring from when it was applied.
When a Q-switched laser treats the skin, it targets and breaks down the tattoo pigment in the skin. If pre-existing scarring is present, it will break down this pigment within the scar tissue. Once the tattoo removal process is complete, the ink will have been eliminated from the location but any of the scarring from the original tattoo will likely still remain.
During the initial consultation while you are assessing the tattoo, touch it and see if pre-existing scarring is present. If so, mark it as such in the patient’s records and inform the patient that the laser will not eliminate scar tissue, just their ink.
A Q-switched laser is not the best device to use for scar revision and will not provide significant improvement to remaining scarring. Some skin specialists use fractional lasers to resurface scarred skin after the tattoo removal process.
Can I Remove A Tattoo At Home
The more hate you have for your tattoo, the more desperate and willing you are to try whatever DIY tattoo removal concoction you find online. But youll regret trying to remove it yourself more than you regret your tattoo, so put down the lemon juice and peroxide. Dr. Akhavan says, DIY tattoo removal is not only largely ineffective, but it can also, unfortunately, lead to serious complications, like permanent scarring.
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Lather Up On The Sunscreen Prior To Your Sessions
Once you know you’re unhappy with a tattoo on your body, immediately start using a zinc oxide sunscreen on it, says Cirlin. The most common reason people can’t get lasered is because their tattoo has had sun exposure. By using a zinc oxide anytime you’re outside, you’ll help protect your tattoo, which will allow you to get lasered regardless of the season.”
What About Home Treatments
Tattoo removal creams and chemical peels are the most widely available and least expensive option. Theres a reason why: Theres no solid evidence that they work.
At best, they might slightly lighten a tattoo, according to anecdotal reports. At worst, they can result in a serious chemical burn .
Due to the high risk of skin irritation and allergic reaction, experts dont recommend using DIY tattoo removal creams to get rid of your tattoo.
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What Results Can I Expect
Because PiQo4 is a powerhouse in the laser tattoo removal market, your results will be achieved faster with more fading than other lasers available. Most tattoos require multiple sessions for satisfactory results. The age of the tattoo, depth and quality of the ink, location on the body, and size of the tattoo dictate the number of sessions youll need for successful removal. The closer the tattoo is to the heart the better the results. You may see some frosting of the tattoo following your sessions, as well as redness and swelling. This subsides quickly and the tattoo will fade in the following weeks.
The staff at Colorado Skin & Vein is very helpful and always makes sure to answer any questions during visits. I can tell that they truly care about the patient experience. Thank you Dr. Verebelyi and Team!
Factors That Affect Cost
The main factors that determine the cost of tattoo removal are:
- Color
- Size
- Location
Tattoo removal costs are generally calculated by size and desired tattoo removal results. The number of sessions youll have is dependent on the protocol and technology used. These sessions account for the age of the tattoo and the density, depth, and color.
You can expect your final tattoo removal cost to depend on the total number of sessions required. Now its time to bring out the magnifying glass and take a closer look at each of these factors and how they determine the cost of tattoo removal. Keep in mind that the price will also vary depending on how costly the area you live in is.
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Introduce The Discussion Of This Topic Even If The Patient Doesn’t
Many patients have the misconception that the laser “burns” the tattoo ink out of the skin. By discussing how tattoo removal works, you can help patients appreciate the role that the laser has in eliminating their unwanted tattoo.
We suggest having a simplified answer such as this:
“Each pulse of the laser sends light energy into your skin. We use different wavelengths of laser light to treat different colors of ink in your tattoo. As the light energy is directed into your skin, it is selectively absorbed by the tattoo ink particles trapped in the dermis of your skin. When the ink particles absorb this energy, they instantly shatter into tiny fragments. Once the laser has broken the ink into smaller pieces, your body’s immune system works to remove the ink over the following weeks, flushing it away from the tattooed area. We see the result of this as the tattoo lightening in appearance. Each additional laser treatment breaks down more and more ink until the tattoo can no longer be seen.”
This description achieves a few things: