laser tattoo removal

January 12, 2022

What to Expect from Your Laser Tattoo Removal

Tattoo Removal blog, educational, laser tattoo removal, med spa, skincare

Have you ever looked back on pictures of yourself from ten or twenty years ago and thought, “What in the world was I thinking with those fashion choices?” Yet, at the time, you couldn’t imagine that you’d ever fall out of love with that style.

The same thing often happens with tattoos. You get a tattoo thinking that you’ll love it forever, but a lot can change about your personal style and preferences. If you have a tattoo that no longer suits you, Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center is here to help with laser tattoo removal. To help you understand what to expect, our specialists are giving you a breakdown of the laser tattoo removal process.

Before Laser Tattoo Removal

Every laser tattoo removal treatment process begins with a consultation because each tattoo and each patient is unique. Our licensed laser technicians will ask you what medications you’re taking, assess your tattoo, discuss your history with the tattoo and with your skin health, and ask you what results you’re looking for: whether you want to remove the full tattoo as thoroughly as possible or whether you want to remove a specific part of the tattoo to incorporate it into a new tattoo.

During your consultation, we’ll determine the most effective way to customize your treatments. We’ll speak with you about the treatment plan we recommend and what you can expect.

During Each Laser Tattoo Removal Session

Depending on your preferences, we can use topical numbing cream to make your laser tattoo removal treatment as comfortable as possible. When you’re ready, your treatment provider will give you protective goggles to wear to safeguard your eyes from the laser light.

Next, your provider will adjust the laser’s settings based on the area and colors they’re targeting in the session. They will treat a test spot to verify or fine-tune the settings so they’re ideal for your needs.

At this point, your provider will proceed to treat the tattoo. They will place the laser handpiece against your skin and send a series of fast pulses of the laser into your skin. Those pulses will break the ink particles within your skin into smaller particle sizes. This allows your body to gradually extract and remove those particles, lightening your tattoo one session at a time.

During your treatment, you may have some discomfort. Most people compare the sensation to the feeling of a rubber band snapping against their skin. While every person’s experience is different, most people tolerate the treatment very well.

At the end of each treatment session, your provider will apply an ice pack to soothe the tattoo removal area, because redness and swelling are common. Next, they will apply a topical antibiotic to prevent potential infections, and then apply a bandage to the area. They will give you instructions for caring for the treatment area as it heals over the next several days.

After Your Laser Tattoo Removal Session

Your treatment area will take time to heal after each session – usually about five days. You’ll then notice that in the weeks between treatment sessions, your tattoo will gradually fade a bit more after each session because your body is removing the ink particles little by little. Note that some tattoos may initially get darker before they fade, but this is normal.

Ultimately, you will receive a series of laser tattoo removal treatments that are four to six weeks apart. The number of sessions it will take to reach your tattoo removal results will depend on many factors, like the colors of your tattoo, the size of the tattoo, how your body responds to the treatments, and more.

It will be important that you protect your skin from sun exposure for six weeks before and after each treatment. The sun can interact with your skin poorly if you have had a recent laser treatment, leading to potential complications like long-term pigmentation changes.

Getting Started with Laser Tattoo Removal Treatments

Laser tattoo removal can sound intimidating to many people, but you can rest assured that at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center, you’re in good hands. Our licensed laser technicians are experts in providing safe and effective laser tattoo removal treatments, and we’ll guide you every step of the way. To get started, schedule a tattoo removal consultation today. Remember to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more laser treatment insights.

June 15, 2021

What Laser Tattoo Removal Can and Cannot Do

Tattoo Removal, Uncategorized cosmetic procedure, laser, laser tattoo removal, laser treatment, medical spa

If you have an unwanted tattoo, chances are you have looked into different removal options. Compared to other treatments, laser tattoo removal continues to be one of the safest and most effective removal methods available. In an effort to help you get a better understanding about what laser tattoo removal can and cannot do, we have provided a few insights you should know about this treatment.

Laser Tattoo Removal Can Remove Older Tattoos

There is a notion that older tattoos are harder to remove compared to newer ink; however, the opposite is true. When laser tattoo removal is performed, wavelengths of light are used to target specific pigments in the tattoo’s ink. The ink is then broken into tiny particles which are absorbed by the body. Tattoos naturally fade over time, so older tattoo ink is much easier to remove because part of the laser’s job is already done. Additionally, your tattoo must be fully healed in order to undergo laser tattoo removal which means older tattoos are easier to treat.
Laser Tattoo Removal Results Cannot Appear Overnight

While an individual laser tattoo removal session typically lasts 20 minutes or less, final results will not be noticeable overnight and the overall removal process will take time to complete. When it comes to determining how many laser tattoo removal treatment sessions a patient will require, there are a number of factors to consider including tattoo size, color, depth of ink and age. For the best results, each treatment session is spaced four to six weeks apart from each other which makes removal a gradual process rather than an overnight one.

Laser Tattoo Removal Can Permanently Remove Your Tattoo Ink

During laser tattoo removal, the ink from your tattoo is broken down and absorbed by the body. Because tattoo ink is not a naturally occurring bodily substance, your tattoo will not reappear or rebuild itself after the removal process. However, this does not guarantee that your tattoo will completely disappear because some types of tattoo ink have a harder time responding to treatment.

Laser Tattoo Removal Pre- and Post-Treatment Instructions Cannot Be Ignored

Experiencing side effects after laser tattoo removal is very uncommon and may happen more typically when patients fail to follow pre- and post-treatment instructions. Ignoring proper care guidelines can cause hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, blistering, infection, scabbing or bruising. As always, our licensed providers will provide you with specific instructions and answer any questions you may have in order to make your treatments as smooth as possible.
With laser tattoo removal, your unwanted tattoo can now become a thing of the past. To schedule a complimentary laser tattoo removal consultation, contact Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center today. Also, make sure to follow our medical spa on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more tattoo removal and skincare insights.

March 1, 2021

Our Most Popular Cosmetic Treatments for Men

Laser Hair Removal, Tattoo Removal, Uncategorized cosmetic procedure, laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal, med spa, non surgical fat reduction

Over the years, the amount of men undergoing cosmetic procedures has been on the rise. More and more men have discovered that these treatments have great benefits and can help to boost their confidence about the way they look. At Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center, we offer a wide variety of laser treatments and other cosmetic services that can help men feel their best, no matter their individual concerns. If you’ve been thinking about undergoing a cosmetic procedure but aren’t quite sure where to start, we’ve highlighted three of our most popular cosmetic treatments for men.

Laser Hair Removal

While laser hair removal is typically advertised as being for the legs or the arms, we can perform this treatment on nearly every part of the body. That means we can provide long-term hair removal for the face, beard, ears, chest, back, feet, toes, abdomen and more. We use precise laser light to directly target the hair follicles while avoiding the surrounding skin. This light damages the follicles which prevents them from regrowing in the near future. This treatment works best for men with darker hair and traditionally requires multiple sessions to get the best results.

Non-Surgical Fat Reduction by SculpSure®

If you exercise regularly and have a healthy diet, you know how bothersome it can be when you have excess fat that won’t disappear no matter how hard you try to lose it. Luckily, non-surgical fat reduction by SculpSure® is designed to help reduce the appearance of excess fat without the need for surgery or lengthy recovery times. This treatment uses precise warmth to target fat cells, which are then naturally reduced by the body. Each non-surgical fat reduction session lasts less than 30 minutes and carries little to no downtime, so you can go back to enjoying your day-to-day life shortly after treatment.

Laser Tattoo Removal

Life happens. For whatever reason, if you have a tattoo that you no longer want or want resized, we can help you fully or partially remove it. We use FDA-approved lasers to treat tattoos of all shapes, sizes and colors. The number of treatments you will need depends on multiple factors including tattoo size, age, color, depth and a number of additional variables. Our licensed laser specialists have years of experience treating tattoos and can help you to determine the best course of action based on your unique situation.

As you can see, men are taking advantage of and benefiting from a wide range of cosmetic services. If you’re interested in learning more, schedule a complimentary consultation with Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center in Duluth today. Make sure to give our med spa a follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more insights about our cosmetic and laser services.

January 14, 2020

Skincare Specials to Celebrate in the New Year

Uncategorized body contouring, laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal, nonsurgical fat reduction, specials and events

It’s a new year and a new decade. Why shouldn’t your look take on a new life, too? At Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center, our January skincare specials are all based around the idea of renewal and freeing yourself from problems that have plagued you in the past. Whether you are bothered by wrinkles, stubborn fat, or even an old tattoo, you can get a fresh start in 2020 with these special offers.

Laser Tattoo Removal

Sometimes you get a tattoo and you cherish it for the rest of your life. Other times, you look at the tattoo a few years down the road and say, “Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time.” If you have a tattoo you would rather not carry with you into the 2020s, our laser tattoo removal has you covered. This month, you can save 15% off one treatment.

Laser Hair Removal

As much as you may love having full, thick hair on your head, it’s the last thing you want on most other parts of your body. Unfortunately, removing the hair you don’t want is time-consuming, has the potential to give you cuts and razor burn, and becomes expensive over time. If you’d rather cut back on that burden this year and for years to come, you can save money in the process with our January special: 15% off one laser hair removal treatment.

Nonsurgical Fat Reduction by SculpSure®

We all tend to pack on a few extra pounds over the holidays, and most of the time, all we need to do to shed those pounds again is to pay closer attention to our diet and exercise. Sometimes, though, we have stubborn patches of fat that won’t go away despite our best efforts. In these cases, you can finally have the physique you’ve worked toward with non-surgical fat reduction treatments by SculpSure®. This month, you can do that for less with our January special on SculpSure® by receiving a four-panel treatment for $750.

Wrinkle Reduction Injections

As excited as you might be to welcome a new year, no one wants to see the evidence of those years on their face in the form of wrinkles. Fortunately, wrinkle reduction injections like Dysport® and Restylane® make it easy to tell those wrinkles to take a hike. This month, at our partner practice Southern Plastic Surgery, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Whiteman is offering a free area of Dysport® with the purchase of one syringe of Restylane®.

As we prepare for the new year ahead, many of us have our minds on setting goals and hopes for 2020. If one of your goals is to be more confident in your appearance this year, the most difficult part may be knowing where to start. If you want to keep more cash in your pocket, there is no better place to start your journey toward confidence than with our January specials. To learn more or to schedule your Laser Lights appointment, call our office today. To keep up with our future specials and events as well, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

October 26, 2015

Ten Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Laser Tattoo Removal

Uncategorized Atlanta laser tattoo removal, Duluth GA laser tattoo removal, laser tattoo removal, laser tattoo removal facts

We all have qualities we don’t like about our skin, whether it has the dryness of the Sahara Desert or it breaks out into a mountain range of acne at the mere mention of oil-based makeup, but few skin woes are as noticeable as a tattoo you dislike. Pieces of art (be they on your body or on a more traditional canvas) are made to stand out, which is great when you want to show them off, but if your tattoo starts to clash with your changing fashion sense, it can be quite the downer. Though other removal methods have been put to the test over the years, laser tattoo removal has emerged as the gold standard for wiping out unwanted ink. If you’re considering bidding farewell to your tattoo, doing your research is the first step toward making the best decisions for your situation, and the facts below can get you started on the right track.

Fact #1: The laser doesn’t extract the ink from your skin. Tattoos are permanent because they use insoluble ink which is injected into the dense middle layer of your skin. Lasers break apart the ink particles so that they are small enough for the body’s natural healing response to absorb and discard them.

Fact #2: Some colors are more difficult to remove than others. The laser targets the pigment in the ink. Because black pigment attracts all wavelengths of light, it’s the easiest color to treat, while green is typically more difficult. That’s why we use the latest laser technology, allowing us to remove even multi-colored tattoos more thoroughly.

Fact #3: Not all tattoo removal lasers are safe for all skin types. It’s important to go to a practitioner who is highly experienced in laser tattoo removal, and who has the right types of lasers available. At Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center, our tattoo removal lasers are safe for all skin types.

Fact #4: Every patient has their own unique tattoo removal regimen. Thorough removal of a tattoo can take anywhere between three and ten sessions, allowing several weeks between treatments to allow your body to absorb and eliminate more ink. Your tattoo removal experience will depend on your score on the Kirby-Desai Tattoo Removal Scale, which considers factors like the size, color(s), location, and age of the tattoo, as well as several features of your skin.

Fact #5: You’ll see changes in your tattoo between each session. Because tattoos are layered, lasers can’t safely remove all the ink in one session, but every treatment will break down more and more ink. That’s why you’ll notice your tattoo getting lighter between each session.

Fact #6: There is a risk of complications, but there are steps you can take to minimize this risk. As with any laser treatment, tattoo removal can cause pigmentation changes (either dark spots or light spots), and there’s also a chance of blistering or bruising. But these complications are very rare if you stick with a qualified and experienced medical professional like our staff at Laser Lights, where we’ve been administering laser tattoo removal for sixteen years. Following pre- and post-treatment instructions (like protecting yourself against the sun and avoiding certain medications) will also minimize your risks.

Fact #7: Not everyone is a good candidate for laser tattoo removal. While most people can safely have their tattoos removed with laser treatments, the procedure is typically not recommended for those with weakened immune systems, or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Fact #8: Stay away from do-it-yourself tattoo removal kits and creams. As the FDA has warned, these products often use chemicals or methods that are dangerous and can lead to serious infections and unsightly scars. Plus, there’s no evidence that these at-home kits are even effective, so there’s a significant risk that you’ll find yourself with health complications, scars, AND that unwanted tattoo.

Fact #9: There are more laser tattoo removal patients than you might think. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, who annually studies a number of both cosmetic surgeries and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, over 33,000 laser tattoo removal treatments were performed in 2014 alone in the US.

Fact #10: Laser tattoo removal is a minimally-invasive procedure which requires little or no downtime. Most patients can return to their work or other daily activities right after treatment, although every patient is unique and many will experience mild discomfort for up to two days after the treatment.

At Laser Lights, we make sure to give each patient specialized care and to tailor their treatments to their specific needs, which means that laser tattoo removal looks different for every patient. So, you might ask, how do you know what to expect? The first step toward any tattoo removal process is a consultation with our experienced medical staff who can examine your tattoo, discuss your needs, and design your personal treatment plan. To get started, schedule a consultation at Laser Lights. Or, for more helpful tips and information about the many cosmetic procedures we offer, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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