Tattoo Removal

Lately, getting a tattoo has become more popular than ever and so has removing them! An estimated 20 million Americans have tattoos and many of them now feel that having a tattoo does not fit their new image. Those remorseful about their tattoos are consulting with plastic surgeons to determine if the removal of their tattoo is possible. With today's advanced laser technology, your tattoo can be removed safely and quickly and in most cases, without leaving a scar.

How does the treatment work?

Today, cosmetic medical lasers designed to eradicate tattoos range from a single wavelength of light to a broad spectrum of light, all of which are intended to remove the ink in the tattoo without damaging the skin. Certain colors of light are absorbed by specific colors of the tattoo ink. The light energy vaporizes or fragments the ink particles. Your body then absorbs these ink fragments naturally and the color fades over the next couple of weeks. This treatment is similar to treatment that has been done for years to treat birthmarks.

Laser tattoo removal is the safest, quickest and the most likely to leave your skin intact following treatment. Other treatment options are surgical excision, chemical peel and traditional dermabrasion. These various treatment options are invasive treatment methods and often result in scarring.

Tattoo Removal

Tattoo Removal

Tattoo Removal

Photos provided by Cynosure

What are treatments like?

First, the tattoo is cleansed and sometimes photographed. Emitting laser or pulsed light, the laser hand piece glides over the surface of the tattoo. The size and color of the tattoo determine the length of treatment time. A tattoo the size of a quarter would take approximately 3-5 minutes to treat. Some patients request a topical anesthetic cream that when applied one hour prior to treatment, can minimize the stinging effect of the laser. Many patients tolerate treatment without topical anesthetic and report the treatment as feeling similar to numerous rubber band snaps. An ointment is applied following treatment to keep the area moist and then it is covered with a protective dressing.

How many treatments are required?

Size, color, location and the age of the tattoo determine the number of treatments necessary to effectively remove the tattoo. During the consultation, your treatment regimen will be reviewed and any questions you have will be answered. Be sure to contact Dr. Markmann if you experience side effects not described during your consultation.

The results and appearance of the tattoo vary from patient to patient. After each treatment session you will see the tattoo become lighter. Due to the various types of inks used in tattooing, the results and the number of treatments may vary. Typically, multiple treatments (anywhere from 2 to15) will be required and are scheduled 4 to 7 weeks apart.

Are there any possible side effects?

Some patients experienced redness, swelling, tenderness, crusting, sunburn sensation, or itching immediately following treatment. Dr. Markmann will discuss your treatment plan with you at the time of your consultation and be happy to tell you more about what you can expect from your treatment. If you experience anything different than what is discussed with you following your treatment, report back to Dr. Markmann for a follow-up visit.

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