Tag Archives: Atlanta laser tattoo removal

Get the Best Laser Treatments and Results at Laser Lights

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At Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center, we strive to ensure that every patient has the best treatment experience and best results possible. We provide educational information about our services during pre-treatment consultations as well as aftercare instructions before patients leave our office. If you’ve received a laser treatment or regularly keep up with our blog, you’ve most likely heard it’s important to avoid sun exposure for a few weeks prior to and following laser treatment. With summer quickly approaching, now is the perfect opportunity for laser treatment before summer vacation.

Due to the nature of laser procedures, sun exposure after laser treatment can cause hyperpigmentation. In fact, it’s best not to pursue laser treatment on suntanned skin to avoid pigmentation changes. All laser procedures are different—some skin conditions can be treated in just one session while others require multiple sessions. Laser treatments that require multiple sessions must be spaced four to six weeks apart to allow time for the skin to heal between sessions. Knowing how many sessions are required for each treatment can help you determine the best time to receive your desired laser treatment without risking hyperpigmentation.

Skin conditions like age spots, freckles, melasma, hemangiomas, and warts can usually be eliminated in as little as one laser treatment. Depending on the extent of the skin condition, additional treatment sessions may be required for optimal results. Additionally, some spider veins can be eliminated in as little as one treatment, but up to three treatments are often required for complete removal.

Other skin conditions like birthmarks, port wine stains, and laser skin resurfacing (wrinkle reduction) typically require a minimum of three laser treatment sessions for removal and rejuvenation. Birthmarks and port wine stains are usually darker than freckles, lie deeper within the skin’s surface, and are sometimes textured, which makes them more difficult to remove than freckles. Likewise, the number of skin resurfacing sessions necessary to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, melasma, and acne scarring with our CO2 Fractionated Laser or Erbium Laser varies from person to person, but most patients achieve desired results with a series of three treatments.

Laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal, and photo rejuvenation therapy typically require at least four to six treatments. Due to the natural hair growth cycle, some hairs are growing while others are in a rest phase. Though some patients see semi-permanent results after their initial treatment, laser hair removal is only effective during the hair growth cycle. The number of sessions required for laser tattoo removal depends on the age, depth, color, size, and placement of the tattoo. Since tattoos often fade overtime older tattoos are easier to remove than newer ones. Likewise, patients who seek photofacial treatment to reduce hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scarring will see results in one treatment, but multiple treatments may be necessary for optimal rejuvenation of the face, chest, arms, and hands.

We have over twelve different lasers to treat a variety of skin conditions and skin types at Laser Lights. As you can see, many treatment requirements vary from patient to patient. Our licensed estheticians can give you a better idea of how many sessions you will need after a pre-treatment consultation. Also keep in mind that if you usually wear protective clothing or are often indoors during the summer, you shouldn’t have to worry about hyperpigmentation. However, if you do have to go out in the sun after laser treatment be sure to wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen, cover the treatment area,  and don’t stay out longer than you must. Visit our website to learn more about our other services or schedule a consultation today to take advantage of laser treatment before summer. Be sure to also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center Explains the Science behind Tattoo Removal

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Atlanta Laser Tattoo RemovalAccording to a study performed by the National Institutes of Health, around a quarter of all adults in the United States have at least one tattoo.  Many people wonder why tattoo pigments aren’t absorbed by the body like when you get a shot at the doctor.  While the concept is vaguely similar—using a needle to inject a substance into the body—the tattoo machine was actually designed more like a printer that engraves words into hard surfaces.

A modern tattoo machine pushes a solid needle (as opposed to a hypodermic/hollow needle) up and down through the skin between 50 to 3,000 times a minute. Penetrating the skin approximately a millimeter, the insoluble pigment is injected into the dermis, or second layer of the skin. While the outer layers of the epidermis are constantly shedding, the cells in the dermis are more durable which means the pigment remains permanent.

The aforementioned study also found that, of those with tattoos, up to 50% were dissatisfied with their ink and 17% were considering having them removed.  Among other laser skin treatments, Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center offers laser tattoo removal in Duluth, GA (outside of Atlanta).

Using a specialized tattoo removal laser, our certified and licensed medical staff can help you remove any tattoos that you may regret or no longer want.  The treatment works by targeting laser energy to the specific tattoo pigments. Penetrating the layers of skin, the laser breaks up the permanent ink into particles small enough for the body to easily absorb them. From there, the immune system rids the body of the pigments.

While this process seems easy enough, depending on the size and color of the tattoo (as rated by the Kirby-Desai tattoo removal scale) tattoo removal can take multiple treatments. Some pigments are harder to remove so complete removal isn’t guaranteed, though our treatments can significantly diminish the appearance of unwanted tattoos.

For more information on Atlanta laser tattoo removal or other laser skin treatments, contact our office. You can also stay up to date on the latest Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center news by connecting with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Chemical Peels Can Help Skin Glow All Winter Long

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As the warm weather turns cool, our skin conditions change. You may begin to notice that your “healthy” summer glow is fading to reveal patches of irregular pigmentation. Aside from that, your skin is probably turning dry in the colder weather, but don’t let the weather get you down. Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center offers plenty of solutions for treating various skin conditions all year long.  If you keep up with our blog, you already know that procedures like laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal, and even laser skin resurfacing are great for these colder months, but we’d like to highlight some of our non-laser treatments that will keep your skin looking great this winter.

Chemical peels are perfect for reducing mild imperfections (like sun damage and melasma), minimizing wrinkles, and restoring collagen production. Our licensed estheticians will perform a pre-skin treatment consultation prior to your peel to help determine which of our chemical peels will produce the results you’re after and complement your skin type. Once we’ve determined the type of chemical peel to perform, one of our experienced, licensed estheticians will apply a chemical solution to the outer layer of skin, which will cause the damaged outer layer of skin to be slowly eliminated over the following days (up to a week of peeling). Downtime is minimal, but we do suggest you use SPF 30 sunscreen prior to being in the sun after having a chemical peel to avoid sun damage and hyperpigmentation to newly rejuvenated skin.

We offer a variety of chemical peels that treat various skin types. People who suffer from acne, mild hyperpigmentation, rough skin and a busy lifestyle might choose our Fruit Acid Peel since it requires no downtime, while those looking to correct fine lines, melasma, or acne scarring may choose the Glycolic or Jessner’s Peel. Other types of chemical peels you’ll find on our menu are our Mandelic Peel, Salicylic Peel, and TCA Peel (Trichloroacetic Acid Peel), but we’d like to specially introduce the newest chemical peel we offer: Vi Peel.

Not only does the Vi Peel minimize sun damage, clear most acne, reduce acne scars and pigmentation problems, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles, but it actually stimulates collagen and elastin production to promote tighter, more youthful skin. With minimal downtime, you can expect the outer layer of skin to peel for up to a week to reveal refreshed, younger-looking skin. If you purchase a Vi Peel from Laser Lights before November 30th, 2011, you will receive one Vi Peel for free, so schedule your treatment today.

Laser Lights offers plenty of other treatments to care for your skin and keep you looking your best like our new Viora Reaction™ skin tightening (face & body), microdermabrasion, hand rejuvenation, and more. Be sure to take a look at our website to learn more about the services we offer. Also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for updates on skincare news and specials.

Save on Your Favorite Cosmetic Treatments with Our December 2011 Specials

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Do you need a little help with your list this year? Whether you’re looking for yourself or to give a gift to someone else, beauty is always on everyone’s list! December is the perfect time to take advantage of specials on our most popular cosmetic services.

With discounts on laser hair removal and laser spider vein elimination, you can have smooth and beautiful skin in plenty of time for warmer weather next year. We’re also offering FREE Reaction™ skin tightening treatments with the purchase of 3- or 6-treatment packages (see below for more details).

If you’re looking for glowing holiday skin, take advantage of our deals on Fotofacial skin rejuvenation and the newest addition to our services menu, the Vi Peel. If the hustle and bustle of family gatherings and get-togethers with friends has you stressed, look into our massage packages.

We also have gift certificates available so you can give the gift of beauty and relaxation this holiday season. Contact our office for more information or to schedule your holiday treatment today! We’re also on Facebook and Twitter with the latest in beauty and cosmetic laser news, so make certain to follow us to stay up to date!  All offers below expire December 31, 2011.

Kirby-Desai Scale Helps Atlanta Laser Tattoo Removal Patients Predict Treatment Time and Results

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Laser Lights cosmetic laser centerLaser tattoo removal is an intriguing process to most individuals, and like a tattoo each procedure is individualized based on the person and the ink they’d like to remove. Because laser tattoo removal works through light, there are important factors in predicting its effectiveness on any particular person’s tattoos. While most tattoos can be removed successfully, the number of treatments required to eliminate a tattoo completely vary as well as the type of laser used.

The creators of a proposed scale for tattoo removal called the Kirby-Desai Scale hope to help laser technicians and doctors to efficiently determine the most effective way and the number of sessions needed to remove any tattoo—regardless of size, color, or shape.

The Kirby-Desai Scale focuses on 6 major elements to determine the effectiveness of tattoo removal: a person’s Fitzpatrick skin type, the tattoo’s location on the body, the tattoo pigment color, the amount of ink in the tattoo (or size), the amount of scarring or tissue change, and whether the tattoo is layered. Each element is assigned a score from 1 to 5.

For example, we’ll say a man has a full-color, completely filled-in tattoo of a tiger on his chest that covers the pectoral muscle that he’d like to remove. A person with light skin is 2 points on the scale, and a tattoo on the chest is 2 points. A tattoo with multiple colors is 4 points, and if the size/amount of ink is moderate, that’s 3 points. The application of a tattoo that caused no scarring is 0 points, and the tattoo wasn’t layered over another tattoo, which is 0 points.

The points are then added together, in the case of our tiger man 11 points, and that number is used to determine the number of laser tattoo removal sessions required to eliminate that tattoo completely. So, tiger man would need somewhere around 8 sessions to get rid of his inked cat.

This scale can be useful to the tattoo removal specialist for obvious reasons, but can be helpful to the patient as well. Being able to plan out the number of tattoo removal sessions allows patients to schedule the removal sessions within their agenda, budget for the appropriate number of procedures, and prepare themselves adequately for the process because they’ll know what to expect from laser tattoo removal.

The originators of the Kirby-Desai tattoo removal scale hope to bring certainty to patients in an effort to help doctors educate their patients completely before them embark on the tattoo removal process.

Make sure to check out our laser tattoo removal before and after gallery for pictures of results we’ve gotten at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center in Duluth.

Contact us for more information on tattoo removal and other laser services at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center. You can also keep up with our news and updates by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Thinking about Laser Hair Removal, Tattoo Removal or Wrinkle Treatment? What to Look for in a Reputable Laser Treatment Center

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Because laser cosmetic treatment is so new, many patients are unaware that standards exist to regulate which practitioners and physicians can use the equipment and how it should be used. While the use of lasers for cosmetic and medical treatments seems like space-age technology, these criteria and rules help keep patients and physicians safe. More specifically, organizations like the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) regulate and determine the appropriate safety criteria for the medical and cosmetic use of lasers.

When looking for a reputable laser treatment center, it is important that the facility follow high standards of practice to ensure patient safety. The ASLMS lists training and education, patient and procedure selection, and patient safety as the three main determining factors in high standards of laser treatment practice. Continue reading →

Temporary Tattoos, But Permanent Patriotism: Laser Tattoo Removal Useful for Active Soldiers

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laser lights cosmetic laser centerSummer is often a patriotic time in which we reflect on our appreciation for soldiers who have served and are still serving our country both at home and overseas. Many service members often show their pride in their branch of the military or memorialize fallen comrades through tattoos. Tattoos often provide soldiers permanent reminders of their service and celebratory tokens of their accomplishments. While tattoos may seem like a rite of passage for many in the armed forces, the military has strict tattoo regulations for current and incoming soldiers.

Members of the armed forces are commissioned to represent the United States with the utmost professionalism whether in times of peace or during combat and any tattoos that detract from the polished look in uniform are often not allowed. These include tattoos that are visible when in dress uniforms such as those on the hands, neck, and head. Each branch has its own specific rules, but most follow the same general guidelines. Continue reading →

Summer Skin Care

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laser lights cosmetic laser centerAlthough laser skin treatments can erase imperfections and produce healthy, beautiful skin, being exposed to the sun’s rays after laser treatment can cause unsightly hyperpigmentation. It’s important to employ proper laser after care; especially during the summer months. If you choose to have a laser procedure during the summer you should wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and a zinc oxide base. You should follow these guidelines not only after laser treatment, but four to six weeks before and between laser treatments. If you anticipate spending a lot of time in the sun this summer, you may want to reserve laser procedures for the winter months and try one of our other non-laser procedures in the mean time.

One of our newest summer treatments is eyelash and eyebrow tinting. Great for patients with blonde or light colored hair, this treatment adds darker pigment to the eyelashes and brows for up to two or three months. That’s basically a whole summer free from applying mascara, eyelash extensions, or brow pencil. Plus, brow and lash tinting is easily combined with other Laser Lights’ treatments. Some patients, however, do not have thick or long enough eyelashes to benefit from tinting. These patients are better suited for Latisse® eyelash treatment, which helps eyelashes grow thicker, longer, and even darker.

Chemical peels, facials and microdermabrasion treatments are also great for the summer, but the 30 SPF sunscreen rule is still important with these treatments too. Continue reading →

Laser Procedure FAQ

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laser lights cosmetic laser treatmentsQ.) Why do some laser­ treatments require multiple sessions while others do not?

A.) The number of laser treatment sessions required is based on what type of laser treatment you need and the types of laser we use for that treatment. Small blemishes can usually be removed easily with one session, while larger imperfections require a bit more attention. For instance, warts, freckles, and red dots usually only require one session, while tattoos, unwanted hair, and spider veins usually require at least three sessions for permanent removal. Without multiple treatments, the lasers would not be able to permanently remove these large imperfections without damaging your skin.

 

Q.) Can I have laser hair removal over an area where I have a tattoo?

A.) No. Lasers work by targeting pigments. The darker the pigment, the better our lasers pick it up, which is why we use different Continue reading →

See Our New Ad in Savvy Shopper!

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Partial Laser Tattoo Removal

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When people consider laser tattoo removal, they generally think about removing old, unattractive tattoos that they no longer want to appear on their body.  However, while complete tattoo removal is an option, some people may only want their tattoos lightened or part of their tattoo removed.  Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center sees patients seeking complete laser tattoo removal, tattoo lightening, and partial tattoo removal.

As stated in previous Laser Lights blogs, there are many reasons for complete tattoo removal; however, there are equally numerous reasons for partial tattoo removal.  Many laser tattoo removal patients seek partial tattoo removal because they wish to have a new tattoo added to an existing piece.  While it’s possible to cover a tattoo with another tattoo without lightening, the new tattoo might turn out much darker than most people desire.  Some patients may have their tattoo lightened simply because it turned out darker than they expected.  Because laser tattoo lightening is accomplished more easily than complete laser tattoo removal, desired results can be achieved in just a few treatment sessions (depending on the patient’s desired level of lightening).

People constantly change their minds, even about tattoos. In some cases, only partial tattoo removal is necessary when this occurs.  Partial laser tattoo removal is especially useful for those who once thought it would be a nice gesture to tattoo their significant other’s name on their body and are now forced to listen to a new significant other complain about the name.  Maybe it’s not a name you’re trying to remove, and maybe you just wish to change a particular part of your tattoo.  Whatever the reason for partial laser tattoo removal, it is important to find a trained laser technician because this treatment is slightly more difficult than general laser tattoo removal.  Finding a properly trained laser technician is also important with other laser procedures, such as laser hair removal, but when only part of the tattoo is removed, the technician must be careful not to accidentally treat the part of the tattoo you wish to keep.  A shield is commonly used to protect the remaining tattoo.

Side effects and risks of laser tattoo lightening and partial laser tattoo removal are very similar to those of laser tattoo removal.  Side effects are usually less severe with lightening because fewer treatment sessions are necessary.  While it’s very rare, blistering, infection, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, or scabbing may occur.  Thanks to over 20 years of experience with lasers, you can rest assured that these side effects are extremely rare at Laser Lights.

If you have a tattoo that you want removed (partially or completely) or lightened, please schedule a consultation. We also offer other laser and cosmetic services, so be sure to check out our website and read our blog.

Laser Lights Answers Some Frequently Asked Questions About Facial Laser Skin Treatments

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Q:  Aren’t lasers too powerful to use in sensitive areas like the wrinkles around my eyes?
A: No, while lasers are extremely powerful, they’re also very specific.  Lasers like the fractionated CO2 laser can target individual areas to reduce wrinkling and uneven surface texture without damaging surrounding skin.

Q:  Can lasers be used to treat my ugly leg and face veins?
A: Absolutely!  Lasers are attracted to pigment, so just like the pigment in hair attracts the light for laser hair removal, the pigment in veins absorbs the laser light to slowly decrease in diameter: removing  spider veins and varicose veins on the face and legs.

Q:  Does laser brown spot and freckle removal hurt?
A: Most patients find brown spot removal, freckle removal, and laser melasma treatment very manageable.  Patients usually report the short, regular bursts of light feeling like snaps from a rubber band.

Q:  Can I get laser tattoo removal on my face if my skin is darker?
A: Yes you can, but you should be careful to only entrust a qualified laser technician with the proper equipment to perform your laser tattoo removal.  If your skin has lots of melanin in it, you are at a greater risk of developing scars from a laser treatment.  Every laser emits a different strength of light, so you must find a well equipped laser center to accommodate your needs.

To learn more about the cosmetic laser treatments available through Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center visit their website and read their blog.

Do You Define Your Tattoos, or Do Your Tattoos Define You?

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Tattoos are often exciting and always seem like a good idea when you get them, but what happens years down the road?  People change.  Something that was near and dear to a person one day may not matter to them in the future:  leaving them with old, fading, and meaningless tattoos.  As sad as it is, society tends to judge people based on appearance, including tattoo artwork.  A recent article in the New York Daily News discusses Kelly Osbourne’s efforts to permanently remove 15 of her tattoos with laser tattoo removal.

Kelly Osbourne has undergone a major body transformation in the past year by losing close to 50 pounds.  Kelly’s tattoo removal is all part of her transformation.  While she plans to keep some of her sentimental tattoos, Kelly realized she did not even miss her other tattoos when she had to cover them while filming her movie, Should’ve Been Romeo.  She said she was unsure why she had some of her tattoos done in the first place: a feeling to which many people with tattoos can relate.  Young people get tattoos without realizing that they will forever be defined by that mark, whether or not that is who they are or will be.  Luckily, thanks to laser tattoo removal, results are not as permanent these days.

Laser tattoo removal is said to be painful, but tattooing is painful, so a person who can withstand the pain of getting their tattoo should have no worries, though it is a different feeling.   Similar to many other laser procedures, laser tattoo removal requires multiple treatments to completely remove the mark.  Treatment sessions are usually spaced 4-6 weeks apart.  Complete removal cannot be guaranteed as the tattoo’s size, location, patient’s ability to heal, color of ink used, how the tattoo was applied, and the age of the tattoo all affect its responsiveness to lasers.  Newer tattoos are harder to remove as the ink is more concentrated.  Black pigment works best with the lasers because lasers target darker pigments; however, Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center has multiple lasers suitable for various colors (even green).

To learn more about laser tattoo removal treatments and pricing visit our website, and schedule a consultation to discover whether or not you are a good candidate for tattoo removal.  Also, don’t stop reading our blog as we will keep you updated on various laser treatments.