Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I care for it after?
A: For some time after the treatment the area will probably feel like a sun burn. You may apply an Aloe Vera & Vitamin E gel, or either one on its own, and ice it to help with the discomfort. After your treatments I will give you aftercare instructions to leave with.
Q: Can you remove only a portion of my tattoo?
A: Yes, I can cover any areas you wish to keep, it is possible to only remove what you would like to have removed.
Q: How many sessions will it take to remove my tattoo?
A: Generally, tattoo removal takes between 12-15 sessions for an average-sized (around 4 square inches) tattoo to reach maximum resolution. Notice I said “maximum resolution” - not total removal. Total removal is by no means a guarantee. Maximum resolution is, quite simply, “the best it’s gonna get." You can always decide when it's “good enough” for you but as your laser tattoo removal specialist I will inform you when your tattoo has reached maximum resolution.
Q: How long do I wait in-between treatment sessions?
A: You may be surprised to hear that it is not the laser that actually removes the ink. The laser breaks up the ink into tiny fragments which are then able to be removed by your lymphatic system. This process takes time, so be patient. Most treatments can be repeated in 6-8 weeks, but again, due to varying results from person to person, the frequency between treatments can also vary. Studies have shown the longer you wait the better the results.
Q: What tattoos are the hardest to remove?
A: The answer to this question is much like the variables that determine how many sessions are required to remove the tattoo in question. They include the age of the tattoo, the color(s) of the tattoo, the location of the tattoo on the body, and the skin color and type of the patient.
Q: Are there some ink colors that can’t be removed?
A: The short answer is maybe. Some of the newer, ultra-vibrant inks are troublesome and can take longer to remove. Although most colors will respond at least somewhat to the laser, there are certainly some colors that are very difficult to remove. The hardest colors to remove are colors that are close to the patient’s skin color, or that are colors highly present in skin. However Green still proves to be the most difficult.
Q: Is laser tattoo removal painful?
A: It depends on your personal tolerance for pain, everyone reacts to pain very differently. It has been described as feeling like hot bacon grease when it hits you. I will ice the area before and after to help with the pain and swelling, and will also apply Bactine over the treated area. The good news is that each session typically lasts only 1-5 minutes. “Over-the-counter” pain medications may be used following the procedure if desired as well.
Q: Can laser tattoo removal remove my tattoo completely?
A: There are some tattoos you probably want all the way gone, right? After all, the goal is to have no traces left behind of that ex-girlfriend or boyfriend’s name. So, is it possible to completely eradicate that old ink, relegating (what was her name again?) to a distant memory? Possible, yes. Guaranteed, no.
Q: If I'm pregnant or breast feeding is it possible to get laser tattoo removal treatments?
A: NO, it is not safe to have laser tattoo removal treatments done if you are pregnant or breast feeding. After the treatment the broken down ink will travel thru your body's bloodstream creating a possible health risk to the baby