Our parents always taught us that tattoos were forever, but that’s no longer true. Modern laser tattoo removal technology means that we really can erase the past. If you find yourself thinking about getting a tattoo removed, Verve Weight Loss and Laser Aesthetics in Upland, CA has the answer for you.
You might still be skeptical, thinking that there is simply no way your skin could go back to how it once was. Up until recently, we would have agreed with you. But now we have PicoSure, a brand new technology that allows us to remove tattoos with more precision and accuracy than ever before. Let’s look more at what tattoo removal involves and how Dr. Mantha uses PicoSure to give you the best treatment possible.
How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?
To understand how a laser can remove a tattoo, it helps to understand what a tattoo is in the first place. When you get a tattoo, the artist embeds ink inside your skin. When the skin heals, it traps the ink inside the skin cells. The process of getting a tattoo is physically invasive.
Traditional tattoo removal methods such as dermabrasion or surgical removal required painful physical methods to literally remove the ink from your skin.
Breaking Down the Ink, Not the Skin
Laser methods, on the other hand, avoid this entirely by blasting the ink molecules with a laser. This causes the ink particles to break up and be removed by your body’s internal mechanisms.
The amount of laser energy transferred to your body is minor. You are never exposed to any dangerous radiation or harmful chemicals during the process. A machine simply fires its laser and the ink particles absorb its energy.
We should mention that the laser only breaks up the ink into tinier pieces, it does not actually remove the particles from your body. That is what your body’s immune system is for. Repeated treatments will help to break up particularly dense sections and ensure that the tattoo fades evenly.
How Effective Is Tattoo Removal with PicoSure?
PicoSure is a state-of-the-art skin pigment treatment device. Its name comes from the fact that the laser bursts last for only a picosecond, literally one trillionth of a second! These shorter bursts prevent unnecessary side effects and increased skin damage.
Essentially, this technology allows you to fit in more treatments in less time and reduces the number of treatments you need in total. PicoSure is sure to save you time and money. It is also extremely effective.
You may recall from high school science class that light waves actually exist on a spectrum. Each color of light corresponds to a specific wavelength. Part of what makes PicoSure so effective is that it uses a variety of wavelengths for its laser. That makes it especially good at laser tattoo removal.
So, if you have a tattoo with multiple colors, don’t worry. PicoSure can adjust its frequency on the fly and tackle any type of ink.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Tattoo Removal?
Anyone can have their tattoo removed if they are sure they no longer want it on their body. The most important qualifier is commitment. Tattoo removal truly is forever. So, if your tattoo is significant to you, and you’re not sure if you want to let it go, then wait until you’re ready.
There are very few reasons why someone should not get laser tattoo removal. In fact, the restrictions are quite similar to the contraindications for tattoos in the first place, meaning that you rarely find yourself in a situation where you cannot get tattoo removal.
The main obstacle would be if you have a serious skin condition that could make the removal painful or difficult. People who have severely sensitive skin allergies might also want to exercise caution. Like with tattoos, pregnant women are advised against getting tattoo removal since it may increase the risk of an infection.
It used to be that people with darker skin had difficulty getting their tattoos removed. However, as we will see, that is no longer such a problem!
Do I Have to Have a Particular Skin Type for Laser Treatments?
Normally, patients with darker skin tones would find it more difficult to have a tattoo removed. This is because laser systems target the pigmented area of skin cells, meaning they could destroy natural pigment while targeting the artificial ink.
With PicoSure, Dr. Mantha is entirely confident. Its use of specific wavelengths makes it possible for people with darker complexions to get results beyond their wildest expectations. In fact, you can even get the same type of laser treatments for other skin issues such as brown spots, or hemangiomas.
If another clinic has turned you down, ask us about laser tattoo removal with PicoSure. Your unique skin may be a problem for some, but not for us at Verve.
Can I Use Laser Removal to Change My Tattoo?
Absolutely. If you would like to change a specific aspect of your tattoo, perhaps someone’s name or a symbol that no longer resonates with your world vision, we can change it. By applying the laser strictly to the parts that you want removed, we can fade them out significantly while leaving the rest of the tattoo intact.
Speak with your tattoo artist to get their recommendations also. We can follow their advice, especially if they recommend using laser removal to fade the tattoo in a specific pattern.
How Long Does It Take to Remove a Tattoo?
This is probably the most commonly asked question. Everyone wants to know how long the process takes. We understand that you might have an important event coming up or personal reasons might motivate you to get rid of that tattoo as soon as possible.
But we have to stress that patience is crucial to a successful removal. Each session will cause the tattoo to fade more and more, so you may need several sessions to reach the look that you desire. Let’s consider the most important variables.
Time Between Treatments
The fading process takes time. You may not notice any results when you walk out of the door after your first treatment. But after a couple of weeks, you will certainly see a difference.
Allowing for more time in between treatments makes each treatment more effective. After all, as we explained before, the laser bursts are breaking up the ink molecules in your skin. If you were to rush the next session, you might be firing the laser at particles that were already broken but just hadn’t been removed by the body yet. Essentially, you could be wasting your time.
The Number of Treatments
The number of treatments you need will depend on several factors, including your skin and the type of tattoo you are looking to remove. However, using PicoSure, we can keep the total number down to just a few sessions. Your first consultation with us will give us a chance to better assess your needs.
Most people will need 6-8 sessions or more to completely remove a tattoo, although you can expect to see significant results after the first session. Within just a few trips to our office, you yourself might start to forget about your tattoo!
The Size of Your Tattoo
Obviously a bigger tattoo is going to require more treatment sessions to remove. Small tattoos can be erased in fewer sessions. Line thickness is also an important consideration, as thicker lines on a tattoo will require more work.
Even if your tattoo is very small, it may still take a number of sessions to make it disappear completely. However, it will be far less noticeable after just a couple of treatments.
The Complexity of Your Tattoo
A tattoo with significant detail may take longer to fade away. The same is true for tattoos with many colors, although as we said before, that is less of a concern with our PicoSure laser.
Complexity is also affected by the placement of the tattoo. For instance, a tattoo on your back, which is mostly flat and wrinkle-free, will be easier to remove. One that wraps around skin folds or spans two body parts could be harder to remove as it makes the laser work more difficult.
The Process of Tattoo Removal
Getting a tattoo removed is a relatively simple process. Our staff will ensure that you are well taken care of and have everything you need for a successful treatment.
Consultation
The first step in the tattoo removal process is a consultation in our office. We will take a close look at the tattoo that you wish to remove. This gives us a chance to estimate how many treatments are needed and how long they will take.
After that, we will set a date for your first treatment along with some recommendations. We may recommend you pick up some items to speed up your recovery, including ointments or dressings.
First Treatment
On the day of your first treatment, we recommend wearing clothes that does not make contact with the tattooed area. You will find it far more comfortable if you can wear loose clothing or clothing that doesn’t squeeze the skin where the tattoo lies.
We can provide local anesthetic for the session if your skin is sensitive to the laser. Most patients find that the experience is nearly painless. Some people compare it to the snap of a rubber band on their skin or a flick of a finger.
Follow-Up
Once the first session has finished, we will set a date for the next treatment. Ideally, you should allow for 6-8 weeks between sessions to ensure that the laser is indeed working on the ink. This also gives your skin time to heal between visits.
With each session, you will be able to see the tattoo fading away more and more. Once you are satisfied with how your tattoo looks (or no longer looks), then you can rest easy. That is all there is to it!
Learn More
Removing a tattoo has never been easier. With modern technology like PicoSure in the hands of our experienced staff, you can say goodbye to those unwanted tattoos for good. Whether you want to leave your college days behind or simply have greater achievements in your life that you wish to commemorate, laser tattoo removal is the solution.
Reach out to Verve Weight Loss and Laser Aesthetics in Upland, CA for more information or to schedule an appointment. We aim to give you the most comfortable beautification treatments possible, treating you with respect, honesty, and high-quality service. Set up an appointment today with Verve and be you; be beautiful. We will be waiting.