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SPECTRUM 2000 Q-SWITCHED RUBY LASER
Tattoos have been a part of society for thousands of years. Ancient people used tattoos to mark their religious affiliations; Native Americans and 19th century sailors, among others, believed tattoos would protect them from peril. Today, an estimated 10 million people in the United States alone have at least one tattoo-and half of those people will eventually regret their decision. If you’re one of those people, we can help. At Advanced Dermatology, P.C. and our Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, we understand that the permanent tattoo you have just may not be something you want anymore as it may interfere with your present life or cause you unnecessary anxiety or stress.
What is Tattoo Removal?
The term tattoo removal encompasses a variety of procedures that will remove unwanted tattoos. Recall that a tattoo is a permanent mark or design made on the skin by inserting pigment under the skin. Tattoo removal is a laser or surgical procedure, and like most procedures there may be some discomfort associated. Local or topical anesthetics and oral or topical pain medications as well as other techniques may be used to lessen any discomfort.
What Can I Expect From Tattoo Removal?
During the initial consultation with one of our expert dermatologic laser surgeons, we will discuss the method of tattoo removal that best suits your particular needs and comfort level. You will be asked to give a complete medical history, including the use of any medications or medical conditions that may affect how your skin will heal after the procedure. Your tattoo may be examined for size, color and location, the results of which together with your skin type and other factors will factor into the type of treatment you choose and the number of treatments required.
Can All Tattoos Be Removed?
Removing your tattoo is possible, but because tattoos are created with permanent pigments, removal is difficult, and at most times 100% complete removal is not possible. The removal of tattoos by a professional artist may call for five to eight treatments or more, while one created by an amateur artist may often be removed in fewer treatments. In either case, there are effective removal methods. We may combine several lasers to optimize results.
Alternative methods to treatment with laser include excision (cutting out the tattoo) and chemical abrasion or dermabrasion, tattooing over the tattoo, concealer, and cosmetics. With the exception of small tattoos most patients find the scar’s pulling sensation from closing the scar to be too objectionable. There are lasers that can remove tattoos in 1 or 2 treatments but the scar would be too objectionable.
Laser removal is considered one of the best tattoo removal methods today because of its efficiency and precision. Lasers vary in their wavelengths and pulse durations, and different colors absorb different beams. Depending on the color of the tattoo, specific lasers, or a combination of lasers, will be used. Your physician will direct the short, intense pulses of light toward the tattoo. The tattoo pigments will absorb the light causing it to heat up and break into smaller fragments of color, which are then absorbed by the body’s natural immune system usually within several weeks. Depending on the size of the tattoo, the procedure can last from five to forty-five minutes. Sessions are spaced four to eight weeks apart (fading of your tattoo will continue between sessions as your body absorbs more ink) Tattoos in certain areas like eyebrow although having special problems do usually respond faster to treatment.
Depending on which laser is utilized and other factors the treated area may turn white and swelling or pinpoint bleeding may occur, but after the skin heals, usually within seven to ten days, the skin appears more natural though some permanent changes in texture (i.e.: scarring) or color are possible. It is unusual to remove a tattoo without some skin changes.
Since different colors of tattoos are best absorbed by different types (i.e.: wavelengths) of light. We utilize various high energy Q-switched lasers, Ruby 694, Nd: YAG 53, 1064, Versapulse, Alexandrite, and other lasers.
Are there any side effects?
Some patients may experience tenderness, redness, swelling, itching, or scabbing and blistering of the skin, sensations much like that of a sunburn. This is part of the process as your body works to remove the tattoo inks.
How does Ruby Laser Therapy work?
When you look at a tattoo on the skin, what you're seeing are pigmented lesions, created by an over-abundance of tattoo inks (melanosomes) in the skin. These melanosomes are located in the epidermal & dermal skin layers. A short pulse (30 nanoseconds) of intense red light, emitted by our ruby laser, is selectively absorbed by the tattoo ink which causes the ink to fragment into smaller pigment particles. The fragmented particles are absorbed and removed by your body's immune system.
What can be treated with the Ruby Laser?
The conditions treated most often with our Spectrum 2000 Q-Switched Ruby laser are: solar lentigines (also known as "age spots" or "liver spots"), skin discolorations, mongolian spots, birthmarks, nevi (sometimes called "dark spots" or "moles"), freckles, and tattoos-decorative, cosmetic and medical.
Why remove pigmented lesions or tattoos?
There is simply no reason to live with an unwanted pigmented lesion at any age, especially since they can often be removed in one treatment session with no scarring. Tattoos, whether from concentration camps, gangs, radiation therapy, cosmetic eye-liner, or an "old flame" need not be a burden in today's high-technology environment.
How many treatments will I require?
Amateur tattoos usually require three to five treatments while professional tattoos may require six or more treatment sessions. Fading of the tattoo will continue in between treatment sessions as more ink is removed by your body. When more than one session is required, treatments should be spaced four to eight weeks apart to allow your body's natural immune system to remove the maximum amount of pigment or ink particles in between sessions
What happens after treatment?
Immediately after laser exposure, the treated area turns white & swells slightly. This whiteness usually fades in 20 minutes. Over the next several days, blisters may form & then a scab or thin crust may follow. In the case of tattoos, often the scab is the same color as the tattoo, because the superficial tattoo ink has been eliminated into this crust. The skin usually returns to normal in about 7 to 10 days.
Are there any treatment alternatives?
There are treatment options available, but none are as effective, relatively painless, and as least likely to scar as ruby laser treatments. Other methods include surgical excision, dermabrasion, carbon dioxide or other lasers, salabrasion, liquid nitrogen, and chemical peels. These alternative methods are also frequently painful, with a greater risk for scarring and discoloration.
Is it safe? Is it approved by the FDA?
The ruby laser has been used successfully in over 10,000 treatments and it is the only laser to have received FDA approval and clearance for the treatment of all benign pigmented skin discolorations, tattoos, and both dermal (deep) and epidermal (superficial) skin growths and marks. Scarring is not a significant risk. In fact, the ruby laser has been named the treatment of choice for tattoo and pigmented lesion removal by members of the American Academy of Dermatology. The dermatologists at the Skin Laser Center of Advanced Dermatology P.C. and The Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery have received specialized training in laser treatments and have successfully used the Ruby laser on their patients. Some have even treated their own skin conditions with excellent results.
What kind of results can I expect?
The Q-switched ruby laser provides the best results available for the removal of tattoos (professional and amateur), and all types of benign pigmented lesions. In most cases it is difficult to detect where the mark once was. Red and yellow tattoo inks are not as easily removed as darker inks such as black, blue, and green and additional treatments may be needed. Please feel free to visit one of our offices to see our dramatic and growing before and after photo album and our video tapes on all of our lasers.
Does it hurt?
The laser pulse feels like a rubber band snapping against your skin, and each pulse treats an area approximately the size of a pencil eraser. If your tattoo or pigmented lesion is very large, you may elect to have local or prescription topical anesthesia, but this is not necessary in most cases.
Are there any side effects?
In darker skinned people the area treated by the laser may become lighter (or occasionally darker) than the surrounding skin for a period of months. Eventually this area will almost always be restored to its original color. Scarring is most unlikely.
How much will it cost?
Our charges are reasonable and we accept most all insurances for medically indicated procedures. The cost to remove an unwanted mark or a tattoo depends mostly on the number of treatments required (see "How many treatments will I require?"), and the size of the lesion. Surprisingly, even though Ruby laser treatment is more effective with less risk of scarring than other techniques, it usually costs less.
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