UNWANTED TATTOO

Nearly 20% of the United States' population have tattoos as a reflection of their uniqueness. However, as the stigma around tattoos gets more prevalent with age, and adults start to REGRET this permanent decision made in their younger years, some people wish to have their tattoos removed. If you feel like your tattoo has become more of an old bumper sticker rather than an accurate representation of your character, then laser tattoo removal is for you! Because each tattoo is different, each recovery is different as well. Ink color, design, placement on the body, chemicals in the ink, as well as skin color are all factors to be considered when choosing Laser Tattoo Removal.

How ink colors respond to Laser Tattoo Removal:

If your tattoo has dark, superficial ink, is placed on a part of the body that has good circulation (like the arms or chest), and you have a fair to medium skin tone, then you are definitely a good contender for tattoo removal. Light and fluorescent inks, areas with poor circulation (hands and fingers), dark skin tones, and ink containing iron oxide or titanium dioxide does make tattoo removal more difficult, but not impossible. Homemade or amateur tattoos respond quicker than professional ones, although both can be EFFECTIVELY TREATED with laser tattoo removal. A series of laser treatments is always necessary. While amateur tattoos may clear after 1 or 2 sessions, professional ones may take 6-10 or more treatments to improve or completely clear. Laser tattoo removal is usually performed in intervals spaced at least 4-6 weeks apart. The professional performing your laser removal will use specific wavelengths that will produce effects in accordance with your specific tattoo.

Not only is the Spectra® excellent for removing tattoos, but it is also highly effective for treating inflamed ACNE, MELASMA, and ENLARGED PORES. The way that laser tattoo removal works is that the energy from the laser’s beam will be absorbed by the pigment in the tattoo and fragment. Then, your body will absorb the fragments and later discard them. Because of its unique power and effects, the Spectra Laser has also been FDA approved to treat melasma and acne, improving the overall appearance of skin. The Spectra Laser has 4 different Q-switch laser wavelengths, which gives the medical professional options of which wavelength to use depending on the size, ink, and skin coloring along with the tattoo—1064 nm, 532 nm, 585 nm, and 650 nm. Each wavelength targets a different color spectrum at high power, allowing for EXTREME PRECISION, as well as protecting the surrounding tissue. The extremely short NANOSECOND pulse, a thousand times shorter than a millisecond, and the low fluence used for treatment, minimizes any thermal effect ensuring the treatment is GENTLY for ALL SKIN TYPES with minimal chance of bruising. The large 5mm spot size, and up to 10 pulses per second repetition rate offers rapid and efficient performance which take, depending on the total area treated, only 5 – 10 minutes to complete.

PREPARATION

1. Be sure to come to your appointment both well hydrated and not on an empty stomach—some patients get light-headed from not eating before a treatment.

2. Consider quitting smoking cigarettes if you are a frequent smoker, as the smoke prompts for complications.

3. Be sure to use sunscreen anytime you go outside in the month leading up to your first laser treatment to avoid any negative reactions.

4. Avoid wearing excessively tight clothing in the area of your tattoo being treated.

5. Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen before your treatment to avoid unnecessary bruising. Take Tylenol or any other pain medication without aspirin if needed to avoid any discomfort.

6. Be sure that the area of your tattoo being treated is clean of deodorants, perfumes, lotions, and makeup.

THE VISIT

Your first laser tattoo removal session should be expected to take 60-90 minutes to go over in detail your medical history and discuss the treatment being performed, while follow-up treatments will be around 30-45 minutes long. Our nurse professional at Self-CA will decide which laser wavelength to use, and how many treatments are necessary according to the tattoo’s ink, size, depth, and age. We will take pre and post treatment photographs to document the improvement once the treatment is complete. Our specialist at Self-CA may test the laser on a portion of your skin to make sure you have no allergy or negative reaction to it.

Before the laser tattoo removal treatment begins, you will be given the option of a NUMBING AGENT if you feel it is necessary—most patients compare the pain to a slight warming, or rubber band snapping. The professional will then give you protective eye wear and a COOLING DEVICE to ease any discomfort. When it is time for the treatment session to begin, your professional will use a hand piece to laser the tattoo into fragments for your body to absorb.

AFTERCARE

1. Immediately after your first and follow-up treatments, the laser treated skin will look white. Antibacterial cream and gauze will be applied on the tattoo site.You will continue this regimen until our skin texture and integrity have returned to normal.

2. During the healing process, you should avoid directly sunlight to your tattoo as well as swimming pools.

3. Once your 1-2 months are up and your skin has healed, you are cleared to have another treatment.

FOLLOW-UP TREATMENTS

During your laser treatment, your medical professional will determine how many treatments are necessary to fully remove your tattoo. The most effective results are typically produced with 3 sessions, but everyone’s number of treatments differ because of the difference in tattoo size, color, depth, and skin color. Many patients do, on the other hand, see immediate results after their first treatment. But, it is still recommended to wait at least 1-2 months in between each session to allow your body to absorb the pigment fragments.

Spectra is a safe laser.

There are typically no major side effects or downtime aside from the usual inflammation, discoloration or whitening or "ghosting", minor bleeding, and scabbing; so you may proceed with your regular activities, just be sure to be gentle with the treated area. Despite the possible whitening of the skin, your normal skin tone should reappear anywhere between 6-12 months after treatment.

*Results and patient experience may vary.

There are few, but rare, risks with laser tattoo removal. Like all lasers it has the side effects of scarring(possible keloid scarring in darker-skinned clients), burns, changes in skin pigmentation, darker or lighter, reactivating herpes cold sores and bacterial infection. As with any laser, there is no guarantee that all tattoos can be completely removed, nor absolutely erased without leaving a "ghost" of the original tattoo.

Your cost not only includes the use of the state-of-the-art Spectra, but more importantly, the skill and expertise of the laser specialist. Pricing of laser tattoo removal depends on how many treatments is recommended by your professional to achieve your goals. Our team at Self-Centered Aesthetics will work with you to develop your customized treatment plan to reach your desired outcome.

Our team of medical professionals at Self-Centered Aesthetics will take the time to understand your treatment goals and develop a treatment plan that is right for you.