Many people regret having had that impulsive tattoo. The pigments used in a tattoo are inserted deep into the skin, with the intention that they last a lifetime without significant fading. A tattoo that looks great on young skin can be an embarrassment in later life. So what can you do?
“I loved my tattoo when I got it, but I’m at a point in my life now where I no longer care to have it. Riverchase Dermatology was the solution for me.”
Bill A., Naples, Fla.
Riverchase Dermatology offers state of the art laser tattoo removal technology to remove unwanted tattoos as well as lightening existing tattoos in preparation of covering them with a new tattoo.
Riverchase Dermatology believes the first step individuals should take to remove an unwanted tattoo is to educate themselves on the types of laser tattoo removal technologies available today. Riverchase Dermatology takes time and pride in offering customers a free consultation and going over all available options.
Tattoo removal methods have existed just as long as the actual tattooing process itself. Early attempts to remove tattoos have had less than desirable results. The use of skin grafting, plastic surgery, dermabrasion and CO2 lasers, are painful, expensive and have left behind scars in place of the tattoo.
At the Riverchase Dermatology we use the ConBio nd:YAG laser. This laser can significantly lighten or remove many tattoo inks, and is particularly advanced in the removal of blue, black and red inks. The Nd:YAG laser removes tattoo ink with the energy of light. Just as natural sunlight is made up of light wavelengths of many colors, a laser is a device which is designed to produce one or more specific wavelengths of light. These wavelengths are either absorbed, reflected or simply passed through the skin but is absorbed by the ink. The rapid absorption of light energy causes the tattoo ink to destruct, where it is then removed by the body's natural filtering systems.
The use of this specific combination of wavelength and rapidly pulsed light results in minimal damage to the skin while providing maximum tattoo ink removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of tattoos and pigmented lesions can be treated?
A tattoo's color, depth, and the chemical composition of the ink all affect how it responds to laser light. Black, red, dark orange, and dark blue tattoos will usually respond relatively quickly to treatments with the ConBio laser. However, green, purple, brown, light orange, and light blue colors may require more treatments. In general, most tattoos can be successfully treated, given a sufficient number of treatments. A wide range of pigmented lesions can also be treated, including freckles, sunspots and many brown-colored birthmarks.
Does it Hurt?
Since the laser light selectively targets the undesired ink or pigment, other tissues remain largely unaffected, and therefore most patients report little discomfort. Many people compare the sensation of the pulses entering the skin to the snap of a rubber band. If such "snaps" are too uncomfortable, we do offer topical anesthesia, but this is usually not necessary.
What happens after treatment?
Immediately after laser exposure, the treated areas may become whitish-colored and swell slightly. This subsides in about 30 minutes. The swelling may last longer, but can be reduced by cooling the skin with an ice pack. The tattoo or pigmented lesion will fade over the next few weeks.
How long does it take?
Depending on the size and location of the tattoo or lesion, each treatment usually takes about 10 to 30 minutes. Some faint tattoos and pigmented lesions will fade completely after only one treatment, though most may require five treatments or more. Treatments are spaced six to eight weeks apart to give your body sufficient time to fully eliminate loosened particles of ink or pigment.
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