Tattoo Removal
How many treatments will I need?
Most tattoo artists suggest 3 removal treatments prior to a cover.
If you are looking for a full removal, we can use the Kirby-Desai Scale to give us a good idea. There are several factors involved including where the tattoo is located, what type of ink was used, the colors you’re trying to remove, and how well does your body clear the ink. You will most likely need around 8-12 treatments.
You can use the Kirby Desai Scale below to get a better idea of how many treatments you may require.
How does tattoo removal work?
If you imagine the ink being a rock under your skin, the laser “blasts” the rock into smaller pieces (sand), then your body reabsorbs those smaller pieces of ink. The ink is being removed from the top down so it may take 3-4 treatments before you start to see the results.
Why do I have to wait so long between treatments?
It may take your body up to 8-10 weeks to finish absorbing the ink particles and we want to make sure that you are healed before the next treatment.
Does it hurt?
Yes….. however, it is very short-lived pain. You will feel localized sharp burning/stabbing pain during the actual removal process (takes 5-10 mins.) After you may feel like you have a bruise to the area or a mild sunburn for the following 12-48 hrs.
Can I use numbing cream?
Some clients apply numbing cream before they arrive however, the laser is working at a deeper level, so the numbing cream is not very effective. (There is a thought that numbing creams may slow the removal process because the creams are vasoconstrictors and restrict blood flow to the treatment area.)
I've heard you can get blisters and scars from tattoo removal.
If the tattoo removal is done correctly, you should not experience any scarring. Depending on the person, an occasional blister or pinpoint bleeding may occur. Do not pick at the area if blistering or scabbing does occur as the picking may cause scarring.
What will I see?
Initially, you will see "frosting" on the area. (That's what you see in the videos online that make it look like the tattoo is being erased. See the video at the bottom of the page.) Within a few minutes the "frosting" will disappear and it will look like nothing was done to your tattoo. Your tattoo may even look darker.
You should notice some redness, swelling and/or bruising to the treatment site which is a normal reaction to the treatment.
Over the course of the next several weeks you will start to notice some areas of your tattoo starting to fade away. During the first few sessions this is most notable in tattoos with shading. Thick, dark tattoos are fading away but are working from the top down, so it may not look like much is happening with your first few treatments, but it is working!