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Hello,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. Best, Anil Shah
The gold standard for removal of tattoos is the picosecond lasers. They take many treatments and have pain, swelling, blisters and sometimes do not get red, aqua and orange colors. There is an alternative treatment called the Eclipse Micropen TR that can treat all colors and skin types. Both options take at least 3-4 treatments spaced about 6-8 weeks apart. However, the Micropen TR has very little pain, no swelling or blisters. For larger tattoos I have patients do laser treatments first and then follow with the Micropen to get the remaining colors/pigment. For smaller tattoos, you can chose either but the Micropen would be less painful. I suggest a formal consultation with a tattoo removal expert. Best, Dr. Emer.
The best and quickest way to remove a tattoo is with a Picosure laser. It works great on black ink (other colors too). It will remove a tattoo in half the time and in half the number of treatments. Find a doctor with a Picosure laser.
Black ink will respond to all of the tattoo removal lasers. PicoSure is a 755nm red picosecond laser that works well on black, green, blue and some other ink colors. Laser with multiple colors of light such as the Fotona QX-Max lasers has 1064nm (good for black), 532nm (good for green), 650nm red (good for greens) and 585nm yellow (good for blues). Quanta also makes a great laser with 694 ruby, 1064nm and 532. Pulsing is also important, picosecond laser may have an advantage with some colors of ink, but a good Q-Swtiched laser can be equally effective. Check with a doctor who has multiple different laser, especially if you have a multicolored tattoo. We have four tattoo removal lasers in the office including the PicoSure Laser I frequently do a test treatment on a tattoo with each of the lasers during the first treatment. I am often surprised to see which one works best.
