Tattoo Removal on my wrist??? (photos)

Question

Hello there! I just got a black small tattoo on my wrist (please see pic). What is the best way to remove the tattoo? What should be my realistic expectations?? (Actually I do not expect 100% remove -it would be perfect- but at least faded in a 90%. I was wondering, how many laser tattoo removal sessions would it take to get rid of this tattoo? I was also wondering how long should I wait to get rid of this piece? Thanks!!

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

Based on your photo, it looks as if your best bet is going to be laser tattoo removal. The PicoSure laser is currently the best on the market working 3x faster than all other lasers. It's also ideal for all skin types and tattoo colors. I would try to find a practitioner that has the PicoSure device and schedule a consultation. The cost will depend on the number of sessions which depends on the ink color and depth. 
My best,
Dr. Sheila Nazarian
@drsheilanazarian on Instagram

Misbah Khan MD, FAAD, FACMS · Answer

Q-switched laser or picosure lasers will be able to help lighten this tattoo but it will take a few sessions. if the tattoo gets light enough for you then thats great. if you still have some residual ink left behind thats not responding to lasers then you can have it surgically removed as well. I do surgical treatment for tattoos. which is a one time procedure and the tattoo is completely removed. yours is small enough that it will do very well with surgery.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Based on your photo your tattoo can be removed with laser tattoo removal. However, since your tattoo is red it will need a laser with a 532 wavelength. Laser tattoo removal is done in a series of treatments spaced 6-8 weeks apart. The cost of treatment will be determined by the number sessions is required, size, color, placement and how fast your body removes the ink. I recommend having a consultation with an expert to determine the best treatment plan for you. Best of Luck!

Richard Ort, MD · Answer

It's good that the tattoo is black because black tattoos usually respond well to laser treatment.  The Q-switched YAG laser would be a good choice for this tattoo.  It is necessary to perform multiple treatment sessions for best results.  You could also get treatment wtih a picosecond laser but this is not as widely available, will be more expensive, and has not been shown to be any more effective for black tattoos. As far as how long to wait, there are no official guidelines on this.  Sometimes it is beneficial to do a gentle treatment early before the tattoo has fully set.  However, there may be a higher risk of scarring if treatment is done too early.  I would recommend that you get an in-person consulation from an experienced laser surgeon.

Mark A. Blair, MD · Answer

Hello, Laser tattoo removal is the best choice for removal. The way a laser rids the body of ink is, it shatters the ink into tiny particles and you body absorbs the ink.  The latest technology is the pico-second technology. The PicoWay Laser (Candela/Syneron) uses photoacoustic
impact/pressure waves rather than photothermal/heat.This process has less heat, therefore it is
more comfortable and the chances of hyperpigmentation are less.The Pico-second pulse shatters the ink into
even smaller particles, allowing the body to more easily absorb the ink. With pico-second technology, I would guess that it may be as few as 2-4 treatments. Black ink is the easiest color to target and the amount of ink is very small. You should check in your area to see if the pico-second technology is available.Good Luck!

Morris Westfried, MD · Answer

Wait two months before starting.Traditional q switched lasers such as Conbio or a stanza could require as many as 12 sessions about 8 weeks apart.The picosure can reach the same endpoint in about 4 sessions.Expect to pay more per session for the picosure because the machine costs 4 times as much as a traditional laser but the overall cost is the same.

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Catrina7,

Thank you for your clinical
post.  The small black heart shaped
tattoo on your wrist can be removed using several techniques.  Surgical excisions of one time treatment 100%
removal, however, an unnecessary scar ensues.

The modern way to remove this tattoo
would be using a laser in the most modern of the lasers would be a picosecond
generation.  The picosecond rather than some
of the old fashion nanosecond technologies is predominantly a photomechanical
shattering of the pigments your own body zone system can remove the ink
particles.  There is less photothermal
effect than the older nanosecond technologies such as the RevLite, the C6, the
C4 and the picosecond generation lasers can remove the black ink far
quicker. I would not recommend
necessarily an Nd YAG as this will have less efficacy for the black ink, but a
755 picosecond laser.  I have both the
PicoSure and the PicoWay and select the best wavelength for the individual
tattoo.  Your best wavelength as a
physician who’s been doing laser tattoo removal for over 20 years is the
PicoSure 755 nm picosecond wavelength. 
In general, after 3-6 treatments you can anticipate greater than 90%
reduction.

In the early phases following the application
of the tattoo it is somewhat more risky to do tattoo removal.  I would wait 6 weeks to the day following the
tattoo application to begin your treatment.

SpaMedica is the leading laser tattoo
removal centre in Canada with over five different nanosecond and picosecond
lasers to serve every colour and every skin type.

To find out more, please visit the
link below.

Fill out the online consultation form
and a customer service representative will be with you promptly.

We look forward to seeing you and
best of luck.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

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