TATTOO REMOVAL

I use 2 different methods to remove tattoos. Each method is a process involving 2-6 (or possibly more) treatments over a period of months. Each method has its pros and cons. The cost per treatment is about the same. The decision as to which method is for you doesn’t need to be made until we discuss it in the office. The methods can even be combined when advantageous.

INFRARED METHOD (IR):

I call this the "burn method" because small precise spots of heat are applied to the tattoo, which damages the skin and the tattoo ink. Tattoo color makes no difference. The body heals the wound, and with proper wound care (a fresh bandage is applied daily for about 3 weeks), and a lot of the ink is gone after the healing process. 2-4 treatments no sooner than 1 month apart takes care of most cases. Even if small amounts of ink are left behind, body cells may gradually carry it away.  The IR method carries a higher risk of scarring than the laser method - but scarring is a risk with either.

LASER METHOD:

This method creates a very small scale injury which heals rapidly. No bandages except as needed to protect clothing. Tattoo color is important here because the laser has a hard time with pastels, yellows, greens etc. 2-6 treatments at least 5 weeks apart are the usual. The laser damages a "top layer" of the ink into particles that the body can clear away. LASER offers the best chance for normal final appearance.

Each method requires anesthesia by needle injections. The LASER method is slower (more treatments), but much less chance for scarring. Scars can be reversed by several methods (cortisone, silicone dressings etc.), particularly if caught early!

NOTE:  If the tattoo artist has inserted the ink very deeply, it is possible that the laser cannot "reach" all of it.  If the tattoo fades a lot with the first and second treatments, it is a good sign.  If no fading occurs, it is probably not worth further Laser Rx's.  The infrared (IR) can then be an option.

Price Quote

If you Email me the dimensions, colors, locations and whether filled in solid or mostly lines, I can give you a close estimate of cost.

Tattoo removal is vastly more costly, time consuming and expensive than that magic time when it was applied.