Permanent Makeup Tattoo Removal
Today, cosmetic medical lasers designed to eradicate tattoos range from a single wavelength of light to a broad spectrum of light, the varieties of which are intended to obliterate the ink in the tattoo without damaging the skin. Certain colors of light are absorbed by specific corresponding 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 a few weeks. This treatment is very similar to the methods used for years to treat birthmarks.
Laser permanent make-up tattoo removal is the safest, quickest, and most likely to leave your skin intact following treatment. Our state of the art and latest laser technology (PicoWay and RevLite) can help to achieve that goal. Other treatment options are surgical excision, chemical peel and traditional dermabrasion. These various treatment options are invasive treatment methods and often result in scarring.
First, the area to be treated is cleaned. The laser hand device glides over the surface of the tattoo and delivers laser energy. The size and color of the tattoo determine the length of treatment time. A tattoo roughly the size of a quarter may take approximately seconds to one minute to treat. Some patients request a topical anesthetic cream to be applied prior to treatment, minimizing the stinging effect of the Picoway or RevLite laser. Additionally, our state of the art cooling device (the Zimmer Cryo6) provides topical anesthesia and assists in laser tattoo treatments. This device cools the top layer of the skin (epidermis) before, during, and after the laser energy has been applied without interfering with the laser beam. Many patients tolerate treatment without topical anesthetic, and report the treatment as being similar to rubber band snaps. Finally, an ointment and protective dressing are applied to keep the area moist and promote quick healing.
Size, color, location, age of the tattoo, depth of the tattoo ink placement, the type of tattoo parlor used (amateur vs. professional tattoo placement), and skin phenotype are among many factors that determine the number of treatments necessary to effectively complete removal. During the consultation, the tattoo you want treated will be examined and any questions you have will be answered by our staff at our McLean, VA and Woodbridge, VA dermatology offices. Be sure to contact our office 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 levels of professionalism, types of inks used in tattooing, and the depth of ink injection the results and number of treatments may vary. Typically, multiple treatments will be required and are scheduled 4 to 8 weeks apart. With the advent of state of the art Picoway and RevLite lasers, the number of necessary treatment sessions have been cut in half compare tot traditional laser tattoo systems.
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Skin & Laser Dermatology Center treats patients for all skin care concerns, including skin cancer surgery, cosmetic dermatology, sclerotherapy, laser peels, laser hair removal, hyperhidrosis, rosacea, and acne treatments.
