| What type of tattoos may be removed? |
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| The Sandstone Ultralight II Laser System is ideal for the treatment of all types of tattoos. This laser works on professionally applied tattoos as well as amateur tattoos. The tattoo needs to be at least 6 months old for this treatment, and it works best on non-tanned skin. |
| How many treatments will I need to remove my tattoo? |
| The number of treatments required to remove a tattoo will vary. There are many things that factor into the amount of treatments, such as the type of ink used, how deep the ink was injected, and if the tattoo was done by an amateur or a professional. Removing a professionally applied tattoo is usually a fading process that requires a series of treatments spaced approximately 6-8 weeks apart. Professional tattoos usually require 6-12 treatments for complete clearing, but may require as many as 20. The black colored inks usually respond quicker than the bright colored inks because they absorb the light better. Tattoos with Kelly green or yellow ink are more difficult to be removed. Most amateur tattoos are usually composed of carbon compounds and are usually removed in only 4-6 treatments scheduled 6 weeks apart. |
| What to expect during the treatment? |
| Protective eyewear is put on, and the laser is then used to treat the tattoo. Initially, there is a whitish discoloration over the treated areas, but this fades in a few minutes. The tattoo then looks the same as it did prior to treatment. After the treatment is complete, a topical ointment and dressing is applied. There may be some pinpoint areas of bleeding, which is caused by the ink near the surface of the skin reacting to the laser light and "popping" the skin. The site may turn red over the next few hours, and may even blister. Some ink may drain out in the blister fluid. Over the course of the next few weeks, the white blood cells in the body take up the smaller particles of the ink and remove it from the skin, causing the tattoo to fade. The level of discomfort is different for every person. Some patients describe the sensation as a stinging while other like being "snapped" with a warm rubber band. The laser treatments are more uncomfortable on the first session, and with darker colors, but gets less severe with each subsequent treatment because there is less pigment. Most patients say the discomfort of tattoo removal is equal to the discomfort of getting the tattoo. |
| What to expect after the treatment? |
| The area treated is normally red, similar to a mild sunburn and there can be some mild swelling following a treatment. This will usually subside in 1-2 hours, but can last as long as 1-2 days. Blistering as well as some bleeding could also be noted. You should also keep the area clean and apply a triple antibiotic ointment or Neosporin, and keep it covered with a clean dressing for the first few days. Direct sun exposure should be avoided for 2-4 weeks after the treatment. |
| Laser Tattoo Removal Prices |
| Prices for laser tattoo removal are based on the size of the tattoo being treated. The total cost of tattoo removal cannot be predicted because the number of treatments needed varies from patient to patient as mentioned above. Free Consultations are available for more information. |
