Laser Tattoo Removal

Have major regrets about that tattoo on your body that you’ve been sporting since your teenage years? While a bit of ink may have seemed like a good idea (and maybe even somewhat rebellious), if you’d rather erase that tattoo, so it’s gone for good, laser tattoo removal can help achieve clear, tattoo-free skin.

Lasers

Innovations in lasers now allow for nearly every color, shape, and tattoo size to be lightened to near invisibility with a few laser zaps.

Compared to tattoo removal techniques of yesteryear, the modern-day versions are fast, effective, and better equipped to remove more pigment from the skin than ever before. But before you have your practitioner zapping away at the tattoo, you can’t bear to look at it anymore, and there’s a lot to know and understand about the treatment.

What is Laser Tattoo Removal?

Laser tattoo removal is a standard and effective procedure that permanently erases unwanted tattoos from the skin. Using a laser allows the heat emitted to break up the tattoo ink and lighten it on the skin’s surface.

Although it’s not an immediate solution (multiple sessions are needed to lighten a tattoo fully), it is effective in lessening the appearance of a tattoo.

Regardless of the brand name of the tattoo laser used, the principle of action is the same from one to the next: to break down the pigments and naturally expel them from the body.

Several different machines are effective for removing an unwanted tattoo. The device we use sends out superfast pulses of energy to quickly and efficiently break down tattoo pigment so your body’s natural detoxification system can remove it from the body. This process works on traditional tattoos as well as “ghost tattoos.”

Although you can fully erase some tattoos from the skin, others may not have the same response and may only see a fading of the tattoo. While not always the case with darker skin tones, laser tattoo removal is sometimes more complicated to eradicate all of the pigment effectively. The more sessions performed, the better the chance of lightening it once and for all.

How does it work?

Laser tattoo removal works by using heat emitted from a laser to break up the ink pigments within the skin. Tattoo ink is known to contain solid particles, which gives the tattoo its vibrancy and potent staying power. However, the only known entity that can break down these pigments is short energy bursts from lasers.

Different energy levels and pulses are used to break down the colors in a tattoo. Energy is sent directly into the tattoo with each pass to lighten its color. Darker colors are often more challenging to remove, so multiple treatments are needed.

However, one important thing to know about laser tattoo removal is that it doesn’t work all that fast to provide results. Multiple laser tattoo removal sessions are required to lighten the tattoo to the point where it is barely visible. In addition, this treatment does not result in an immediate disappearance of the tattoo pigments because the multiple wavelengths are often necessary to eliminate the unwanted color, and you cannot do this all in one sitting.

After each session, your provider will coat your tattoo in a special ointment to help speed up the healing process. It will also be covered with a bandage, which also helps limit sun exposure. Once the tattoo heals, you’ll notice it is fading in about one week.

How many treatments are required for complete removal?

Since everyone responds differently to laser tattoo removal, and all tattoos are different in their way, some patients need more sessions than others. However, on average, six to eight sessions are recommended to erase your unwanted tattoo.

Each session can last 20 to 30 minutes or longer depending on the area being treated, the tattoo’s size, color, and what part of the removal process you are in.

Does laser tattoo removal hurt?

Laser tattoo removal has gotten a bad reputation for being painful, but today’s devices are advanced and more tolerable.

In addition, topical numbing cream can be used to make the process more comfortable for those who desire it.

Overall, the treatment feels similar to a rubber band snap on the skin. Each pulse is quick. Once the entire area is treated, the skin will start to ‘frost’ and look like it has a white cast over the skin. This is a temporary effect that soon fades away.

What is the cost of laser tattoo removal?

To determine the cost of your laser tattoo removal treatment, we recommend a quick consultation. Our providers can discuss the treatment details with you to obtain your desired results.

We tailor the treatment to your needs, and the cost varies. A single treatment ranges from $150 for smaller tattoos up to $600 for larger tattoos, depending on treatment details. Our team can create a custom package and a more precise cost for the treatment. A consultation with our staff will provide a more accurate treatment cost.

Common FAQs

Laser tattoo removal is the only known treatment for effectively removing unwanted tattoos. The success rate is high, and most patients see a noticeable difference in the appearance of their tattoo upon completing the entire course of treatment. In addition, all ink colors can now be removed, even the most stubborn ones.

Laser tattoo removal risks and side effects are minimal, and most patients do not experience these. However, things to be cautious of include blisters, scarring, scabbing, swelling, itchiness, uncomfortableness, changes in skin color, infection, and soreness at the site. The darker the skin, the more at risk for experiencing hyperpigmentation.

Laser tattoo removal works on many parts of the body, including:

  • The neck
  • The back
  • The chest
  • The stomach
  • The hands and wrists
  • The feet and ankles
  • The legs
  • The arms
  • The face

Laser tattoo removal is not a quick process, so be prepared to invest some serious time into getting that unwanted tattoo removed from your body. Each session takes about 20 to 30 minutes or longer, depending on the tattoo's size and location. You'll need about six to eight sessions to eradicate the tattoo, but some patients require more. It can take months, if not a year or more, to erase a tattoo. Also, you'll need to wait a bit of time between sessions for the laser to work its magic to max capacity.

Following your laser tattoo removal treatment, you'll need to avoid sun exposure for at least four weeks. Exposing the just treated skin to UV rays can create unnecessary sun damage and hinder the results.

 

It's normal for the skin to feel slightly uncomfortable, swollen, and even red days after a session. The skin will also start to scab as it heals, so you'll want to keep it well hydrated with an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment. Whatever you do, do not pick the scab, leading to scarring.

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CHARETTE COSMETICS

If you’re ready to remove your unwanted tattoo, now is the time to book a consultation with Charette Cosmetics. A one-on-one consultation with our experienced aestheticians will determine the best laser tattoo removal treatment plan for you. We can also customize a package specific to your needs so that you can obtain the best results possible.

Fill out the form to schedule a consultation or click the button below to book your laser tattoo removal appointment today!

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Download our exclusive Charette Cosmetics Services & Pricing Guide to learn more about our service menu & treatment prices.