Is it easy to remove a new tattoo with pink/purple/brown colours. How many sessions will this approximately require? (Photos)

Question

I recently just got a tattoo and I absolutely love what the artist have created for me, but I can't help but regretting the position of where the tattoo is. I wanted it a bit smaller and discreet. So I was thinking of getting it removed and re do a simpler smaller version elsewhere. Sorry if I'm being a bit silly, it's my first tattoo.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

It is important to first let your tattoo heal, then you need to find a doctor with a laser that can target the colors of your tattoo, such as a Pico laser. Good luck.Tattoo removal, if not done correctly, can result in either scarring or ghosting.  Here are some tips:
Find a reputable office with a Pico laser. It produces faster results with less scarring than a nano alone.  Tattoo removal shops are not as reputable as a Doctor. Many of these shops close as quickly as they open, leaving you out of luck on pre-paid packages.Stay out of the sun— sunlight can be harmful to healing in after any laser procedureAvoid infections- This means keep your tattoo area clean (i.e. don’t garden right after a tattoo removal on your arm, etc), don’t pick scabs or blisters if they occur.  Follow our post procedure instructions.  Avoid swimming for 48 hours as water can infect the treated areas.Allow healing between treatment sessions- typically 4-8 weeks.Be healthy- while the tattoo laser breaks up the tattoo particles, your body will actually eliminate the particles. Being healthy will help achieve this process faster and allow for consistent healing. Drink lots of water, get adequate sleep, and eat vitamin enriched foods.In our practice we utilize the currently most powerful Pico laser on the market called the PiQo4 by Lumenis.  The main advantage of a stronger tattoo laser (combining nano and pico wavelengths at greater power) is faster breakup of the tattoo.  The science of tattoo removal is complex but essentially the greater power will photo acoustically break up tattoo particles in smaller pieces.

Ariel Ostad, MD · Answer

Once the tattoo has fully set in and healed, you are able begin the tattoo removal process. We use Picoway laser in my practice in order to treat your tattoo with minimal discomfort and no anesthesia. Picoway laser can treat your tattoo with less follow-up visits than in comparison to other lasers. The laser works by using photo acoustic energy to shatter the tattoo particles into much smaller fragments. We recommend 6 treatments for proper removal. I hope this helps, thank your your question.

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question and posting a picture.  Tattoo regret is very common.  You have to wait until the underlying skin is completely healed.  Almost every tattoo can be completely removed with enough time and treatments.  The most important factor is patience.  You have to give your body time to absorb the ink.  For laser tattoo removal you have two routes.The older nanosecond or Q-Switch lasers that came out about 20 years ago.  The majority of former Q-Switch patients we see have significant hypopigmentation (ghosting) around and under their tattoo.  The Q-Switch lasers have trouble differentiating between the melanin in your skin and ink.  The technology uses heat to burn the pigment out of your skin.  In addition, we have seen patients with raised scars as if they have been branded.  Both of these condition are typically irreversible.  Picosecond laser came out about 4 years ago.  Every laser manufacturer has a different marketing hook to make you choose their laser.  At the end of the day, it's about the technology and experience of the clinician.  All PicoSecond lasers (like the Enlighten, PicoWay & PicoSure) fire 1000 times faster per second, using a pressure wave rather than heat to shear the ink molecules apart.  The hype of extra wavelengths does not make that much of a difference.  The 755 nm will get rid of most of the ink colors.  For red and pink ink, you would need to make sure they have 532 nm.  After using the PicoSure for 3 and half years, we have only seen pinpoint hypopigmentation in a very small number of patients usually of darker skin tones.  We cannot say it is impossible to get burned with a Picosecond laser, but it is highly unlikely.  We tell every PicoSure tattoo patient to expect at least 6 treatments, but don’t be surprised if it takes 10 to 12.  Patience is the key for our patients.  We typically see our tattoo removal patients every 8 to 12 weeks initially.  We eventually encourage them to wait up to 6 months as the tattoos seem to continue to fade while they wait.Treatment prices vary by market. The cost for picosecond treatments will be higher, but you should need less than half the treatments compared to a nanosecond laser.  Best of luck

Is it easy to remove a new tattoo with pink/purple/brown colours. How many sessions will this approximately require? (Photos)

Answers (3)

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