Laser Tattoo Removal Before & After Photos
Tattoos are extremely common ornamentation on American skin. Nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. has a tattoo according to a Harris poll, and nearly 40% of young U.S. adults age 18-29 have a tattoo according to Pew Research. Tattoos are symbolic of one’s journey, and they may tell a meaningful story of one’s loved ones, important events, belief system, or artistic expression. However, sometimes a tattoo is no longer wanted, and laser tattoo removal may be considered as a treatment option.
Comfort and effectiveness are key factors in successful laser tattoo removal. A series of treatments is almost always indicated. Traumatic tattoos (asphalt stains from a traumatic fall or lead stain from a pencil) are removed very easily, while professional tattoos with many colors takes multiple treatment sessions. To improve the effectiveness of laser tattoo removal treatment, we often used a De:Scribe PFD patch to increase tattoo pigment removal during a single session and to decrease downtime following the procedure. Laser tattoo removal should be a pain-free procedure. We perform topical and regional numbing as well as forced air cooling to ensure complete comfort during the procedure.
At Art of Skin MD, a highly effective Q-switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser is used for improvement and elimination of unwanted tattoos. The Spectra laser has four different wavelengths to treat nearly every color of tattoos. Not all tattoos are created equally in terms of laser tattoo removal. Amateur and black color only tattoos are historically the easiest to remove. Blue, green, and purple are sometimes more difficult to fade. It is important for patients with white, pink, or flesh colored tattoos to have a test spot treatment performed with a laser prior to full treatment. These colors can paradoxically darken with laser tattoo removal treatment under some circumstances. Patients with a history of systemic gold treatment should not be treated with laser tattoo removal. Only laser experts such as board-certified dermatologist Dr. Palm and her staff are trained in identifying appropriate candidates for laser tattoo removal and ensuring safe and effective treatment for unwanted tattoos.
