Will Emla numbing cream reduce the fading after getting laser treatments? (photo)

Question

I have had 7 treatments of Picoway and got great fading in the beginning, but the results lately have been less noticeable since there are less ink left. I have noticed that the skin around my tattoo gets whiter that my skin elsewhere when the nurse wipes off the Emla before treatment and was wondering if it will reduce the effect of the laser? My tattoo is big and I'm not sure if I'll be able to tolerate the pain without the cream, but maybe I could only put cream on half of it? Other options?

Jeffrey Gosin, MD, FACS · Answer

Emla and other topical anesthetics should not decrease the effectiveness of laser tattoo removal.  It is normal for fading to become less dramatic as the treatments progress.  That is because there is less ink to absorb the laser energy.  Your tattoo seems to be responding well to treatment.

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question in regards to Tattoo removal. Elma numbing cream will not have an affect on the tattoo removal process. The proper settings and appropriate wavelength of the laser will determine the success of ones laser removal treatments. To be sure what is best for you, see two or more board-certified providers in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have treatment. I hope this helps.

Adaeze Okeke, MD · Answer

There is no reason why the Emla cream would interfere with your tattoo removal. The reason why the skin appears a little whiter after it is removed is that the way the cream numbs is by reducing blood flow to the applied skin. It is normal for initial results to be more impressive than subsequent treatments as the breaking up of the ink is more dramatic. From your picture, your tattoo appears black. While picosecond lasers have been heavily marketed there is actual little evidence that they work any better than nanosecond Q-switched lasers. I would specifically ask your provider to use a laser that has a 1064 wavelength for the black ink. The Picosure does not.

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Emla will not affect the results of your tattoo removal. The Picoway laser is not a good laser to remove black ink. You will need a laser that has a pico wavelengths which also has a 1064 wavelength. I recommend seeing an expert in tattoo removal.

Susan Fox, DO, RPVI · Answer

We recommend EMLA or BLT treatment cream prior to laser tattoo removal and this does not affect the response to the treatment.  Your tattoo seems to be fading nicely and over times the process always seems to slow down.  Keep forging ahead as it appears that you are having excellent results and yes continue with the EMLA or numbing cream as this is not slowing it down.

Glenn Messina, MD · Answer

The EMLA cream must be removed before the start of the laser process. In my practice I wash it off because you do not want any oily substance between the skin and the laser and more importantly it is a drug that gets absorbed into the skin and thus should be completely removed by 40 min or so.

It will not diminish you laser process if it is removed before starting.

Also looking at your photo it is going nicely and I ma not a fan of pico technology. What you are seeing is ink being removed just as one would expect in relation to body position. Tattoos placed higher up are removed faster than lower body tattoos thus the head of your dragon is significantly lighter than the tail.

I have been administering laser tattoo removal specifically for a decade and there comes a point where the removal process seems to slow down , what I believe is the body is removing ink but the wow factor is diminished because of the lighter ink compared to treatment one where a lot of ink was present thus when removed you saw what looked to be a greater change. Its important to forge on , I try to keep my patients motivated, you are doing well.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  Emla numbing cream should not interfere with your tattoo removal process.  Your skin may appear a little whiter after the numbing cream is removed, but that is because it numbs your skin by reducing the flow of blood to the applied area. Please see a board certified physician who has experience with tattoo removal. Best, Dr. Green

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  The numbing cream does not have any affect on the effectiveness of the laser treatment.  Any picosecond laser with 755 or 1064 nm is fine for this color ink.  We have treated several tattoos with great success.  We utilize a PicoSure with 755 & 532 nm.  Everything depends on the settings and amount of energy delivered.Patience is the key to any laser tattoo removal plan.  We tell every Pico tattoo removal patient to expect at least 6 treatments and don't be surprised if it is 10-12 or longer with thick tribal tattoos.  We see some patients twice a year and their tattoos seem to clear up to 6 months.  After using the PicoSure for 2 years, we have found it is best to wait 2-6 months between treatments.  There is a limit to how small the laser can break up the ink.  It's up to you and your body to take the ink away.  We encourage our patients to drink plenty of water, sweat it out and eat a healthy diet between treatments.We recommend finding an experienced physician in your area.  Treatment prices vary by market.  You are trying to reverse permanent ink.  Good Luck and have patience!

Steven F. Weiner, MD · Answer

Emla will have no effect on the results of the tattoo removal. It is the wrong laser to removal black ink. You need a laser that has nano and pico wavelengths that has a 1064 wavelength. I have chosen the Piqo4 laser for this. I also use the R0 protocols for this.

Will Emla numbing cream reduce the fading after getting laser treatments? (photo)

Answers (9)

More Tattoo Removal Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (9)

More Tattoo Removal Questions

Instant tattoo regret! How long do I have to wait before I can get it removed and what ways and how long and how much? (photo)

At what point when getting tattoos does the ink go into the lymph nodes? Does is stay there indefinitely? What harm can it do?

Can Picosure remove tattoo on hand and wrist? (photo)

In laser eyebrow tattoo removal - how long will the white hair fade? (photos)

How many sessions will it take to remove a red ink tattoo on the neck? (Photos)

Can this pink tattoo be removed completely with laser? (photo)

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS